Third Season of FX hit “Rescue Me” comes to DVD and Blu-Ray

By Patrick Luce Apr 5, 2007, 15:35 GMT

On June 5, “Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season” will become the first TV on DVD release from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on Blu-ray disc format.  The four-disc DVD and Blu-ray release includes all 13 episodes along with exclusive bonus features, including a blooper reel, deleted scenes and six all-new featurettes with the cast and producers. 

The series stars Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Denis Leary (Ice Age, The Ref), who was described by USA Today as “… the best actor playing the best character in the best show on basic cable.”  Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season will be available on DVD for a suggested retail price of $49.95 or Blu-Ray disc for a suggested retail price of $79.95.

Created by Leary and two-time Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Peter Tolan (TV’s “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Murphy Brown”), Rescue Me skillfully finds the humor in everyday life while never shying away from the emotional tragedies that affect the characters.  In addition to Leary, the series stars Daniel Sujata, James McCaffrey, Jack McGee, Michael Lombardi, Steve Pasquale, John Scurti, Lee Tergesen, Dean Winters, Andrea Roth, Callie Thorne, Lenny Clarke, and two-time Oscar nominee Charles Durning. 

This season includes guest stars Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon (Best Actress, Dead Man Walking, 1996), Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (Best Supporting Actress, My Cousin Vinny, 1993), Academy Award winner Tatum O’Neal (Best Supporting Actress, Paper Moon, 1974), Kate Burton (TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”), and Reverend Al Sharpton. 

Rescue Me centers on the inner workings of a New York City firehouse and the personal and emotional battles of its members in a post-9/11 world.  The third season opens with Tommy Gavin’s (Leary) crisis-prone family falling apart.  His son is dead, the victim of a hit-and-run accident that also puts his marriage in jeopardy; his uncle (Lenny Clarke) is in prison; and his father’s (Charles Durning) health is failing.  Romantically, Tommy continues his neurotic relationship with his cousin’s widow Sheila (Thorne), while conducting affairs with a teacher and his brother’s ex-wife (Tomei). In addition, his brother Johnny (Dean Winters) romances Tommy’s ex-wife, Franco’s (Daniel Sunjata) new girlfriend (Sarandon) takes his daughter, and Mike (Mike Lombardi) explores his sexuality.

The critically acclaimed Rescue Me has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, including  Outstanding Writing and Directing; honored with the Producers Guild of America’s 2005 Visionary Award; and nominated for six Satellite Awards (winning for Best Ensemble: Television in 2005). 

DVD and Blu-Ray Disc Special Features Include:
Blooper Reel
Featurette: Behind the Smoke
Featurette: Rescue Me Heroes
Featurette: The Bravest Traditions
Featurette: Being Dennis Leary
Featurette: Going to the Gay Place
Location Tour
Deleted Scenes
Sneak Peek at the Fourth Season
Digitally Remastered Audio and Video
Widescreen Presentations
Audio: English 5.1 (Dolby Digital)
Bonus Previews
Closed Captioned