"Harold & Kumar" lights up DVD sales chart

By Thomas K. Arnold

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" squeaked past "Stargate: Continuum" to top the DVD sales chart in its first week in stores, while "21" was the top renter for the second consecutive week.

According to raw Nielsen VideoScan numbers, the difference between "Harold & Kumar," the sequel to 2004's raunchy "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle," and "Stargate: Continuum," a direct-to-video spin-off of the long-running sci-fi TV series, amounted to fewer than 200 units during the week ended August 3. VideoScan numbers do not include Wal-Mart, the nation's No. 1 DVD seller, or Sam's Club.

"21," the previous week's top seller, slipped to No. 3 on the sales charts, followed by rookie releases: the teen drama "Never Back Down" at No. 4 and the sci-fi drama "Doomsday" at No. 5.

On Home Media Magazine's video rental chart, "Harold & Kumar" debuted at No. 2, "Doomsday" at No. 4, and "Never Back Down" at No. 6.

On the nascent Blu-ray Disc format, "Stargate: Continuum" emerged as the week's top seller, with "Harold & Kumar" at No. 2.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter