TV-on-Disc Picks

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Does the analog shutdown have you down? Or worse yet, is your TV down – as in, not working? Rest easy, my friend. Although I can’t fix your rabbit ears, I do have some good news. The past few weeks have yielded a TON of exceptional TV-on-DVD releases. And several of them are available in high definition on Blu-ray! Consequently, effective today, this column will now be known as, TV-on-Disc Picks.  After all, DVD is just SO 1997. Now, enough intro! We have some catching up to do!

24: Season 7
Fox | Blu-ray (DVD also available)
Although Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills character from Taken is officially my new favorite badass, there’s no denying that Jack Bauer knows how to get it done. Fans of this formulaic yet highly-entertaining series have much to celbrate, for Season Seven marks 24‘s high def debut with this splended Blu-ray from Fox.

Burn Notice: Season 2
Fox | Blu-ray (DVD also available)
If you like your spy shows with a side of comedy, look no further than Burn Notice. An original series on the USA network, Burn Notice has it all: action, laughs, layered characters plus the one and only Bruce Campbell. And like 24, Burn Notice finally makes its way to Blu-ray with this vibrant Season Two package from Fox.

Family Guy: Volume 7
Fox | DVD
Bathroom humor anyone? Family Guy tends to be a love it or hate it show, and I must confess a weak spot for Stewie and the rest of the gang. This Volume 7 set from Fox contains 13 episodes, a bunch of bonus goodies and it’s available with full frame video on DVD only.

Friday Night Lights: Season 3
Universal | DVD
"I was livin’ in a devil town. Didn’t know it was a devil town…"  Is there a better drama on television than this criminally underrated series?  I don’t think there is. When DirecTV thew a hail mary pass and saved FNL from cancellation, they did so with the stipulation that the 13 Season Three episodes would first air exclusively on DirecTV’s "The 101" channel. Months later NBC finally got them and now they’ve made their way to DVD. Although I’d love to see this series get the Blu-ray treatment, its intentionally-grainy look renders just fine on standard DVD. On disc, you’ll find an assortment of deleted scenes including a 13-minute "lost storyline" which proves to be well worth watching. (And you Landry/Tyra fans will particularly enjoy the final minute.)

Generation Kill
HBO | Blu-ray (DVD also available)
A harsh, honest and uncompromising look at the war in the Iraq, this HBO mini-series comes to Blu-ray Disc in bold form. Comprised of seven parts and clocking in at seven hours plus, Generation Kill features a caravan of high def extras including mission maps, a chain of command chart and a miltary glossary.

John Adams
HBO | Blu-ray (DVD also available)
With original series such as The Sopranos, Rome and True Blood, and original mini-series such as Band of Brothers and John Adams, is there any question why HBO is considered a "premium" channel? You pay more because you get more – and what you get is just plain better than most of what’s on TV. John Adams, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney defines "event television" and this long-overdue Blu-ray edition is absolutely the way to experience this five star mini-series. Highly recommended.

Land of the Lost: Retro Lunchbox Edition
Universal | DVD
Will Ferrell may not have struck gold at the box office with his Land of the Lost reboot, but there’s no denying the charm and timeless appeal of Sid and Marty Krofft’s stop motion-animated/live action original series. Universal has now made the complete series – all three seasons – available in one package, but that’s not the best part. They’ve placed the three volumes inside a tin "retro lunchbox." How cool is that? I practically had to wrestle it away from my five year old who wanted it for kindergarten. I don’t think so pal, this belongs to daddy!

LOST: Seasons 1 and 2
Disney | Blu-ray (DVD also available)
After Disney did such a first rate job with their Blu-ray releases of Seasons Three and Four, it’s great to see them going back and giving the same royal treatment to Seasons One and Two. Season One is obviously the place to start, where you can witness the captivating foundation laid by series co-creator J.J. Abrams. And not only is Lost filled with endless twists and mysteries, but I defy you to find a better-looking show in high definition.

Prison Break: Season 4
Fox | DVD
For anyone who hasn’t seen this great little show, the question inevitably comes up: "How many times can two brothers break out of prison?" Fans of the show know that this series has a lot more going for it than the occasional break-out (or break-in). Like any good story, Prison Break is all about the characters and Season Four gives us the long-overdue return of a major character from the show’s beginnings. It should be noted that Fox’s decision to go DVD only with this release is disappointing and surprising. After a spectacular-looking Season One release on Blu-ray, Fox went DVD only for Season Two. With Season Three, it was back to Blu-ray, but now it’s back to DVD for Season Four. Argh! Ready for the kicker? Prison Break: The Final Break, the show’s 90-minute finale, comes to Blu-ray on July 21! Here’s hoping seasons two and four get Blu-ray releases and soon.

Reaper: Season 2
Lionsgate | DVD
You know what they say: when you make a deal with the devil, you’re apt to get burned. (Do they actually say that? If they don’t, they should.) Season Two of Reaper is every bit as sharp and funny as Season One – and that’s due in large part to the great Ray Wise chewing up the scenery as he who shall not be named. Lionsgate’s DVD package is solid enough, sporting a making-of featurette, deleted scenes and a decidedly goofy gag reel.

Saving Grace: Season 2
Fox | DVD
Looking for the ideal show to chase Reaper? Look no further. Holly Hunter continues to sizzle on the small screen with this superb sophomore season of TNT’s Saving Grace. The show, a compelling drama about a flawed, self-destructive detective (Hunter) and her dealings with an atypical guardian angel, is presented on DVD with all fourteen Season Two episodes and a pair of brief featurettes.

Transformers: Season 1
25th Anniversary Edition
Shout! Factory | DVD
"Autobots, transform and roll out!" If there is one show that brings me right back to my childhood, this is it. Oh what I wouldn’t give to have my old Transformers collection! Next to the toys, this after-school television cartoon is the next best thing and Shout Factory has put together a DVD set that every self-respecting geek will want. Celebrating its 25th anniversary – man, has it been that long? – this complete first season set is a 3-disc affair and includes a handsome episode guide booklet, Autobot logo magnet and all sixteen episodes restored to their original broadcast length with new stereo sound. Between this well-executed set and the superb work they did on Sports Night, Shout Factory is quickly becoming one of my favorite studios to watch for new releases.

True Blood: Season 1
HBO | Blu-ray (DVD also available)
As I hinted at above, True Blood is but the latest example of the superior content HBO continues to put out on the small screen. And putting out is the name of the game here. Inspired by Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mystery series, aka "the Sookie Stackhouse books," Alan Ball’s True Blood oozes sex from its every pore. Starring a suddenly sexy Anna Paquin, this cajun vampire series is a guilty pleasure if ever there was one and it looks absolutely delicious in 1080p. Also, Jace Everett’s "Bad Things" may just be the best TV theme song since The Sopranos‘ "Woke Up This Morning." Download the tune today, you won’t be sorry.

Weeds: Seasn 4
Lionsgate | Blu-ray (DVD also available)
And speaking of infectious theme songs, good luck getting "Little Boxes" out of your head after an evening of Weeds. This consistently clever and subversive little dramedy is one of the best reasons to tune in to the Showtime network. Lionsgate brings Season Four to Blu-ray, and like they did with seasons 1-3, they’ve done a fantastic job with bright, wonderfully detailed video and 7.1 DTS-HD sound. Extras abound and include Blu-ray exclusives such as BonusView "Coyote Commentaries" with Kevin Nealon and Justin Kirk.

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Onkyo TX-SR604 A/V receiver
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Datacolor SpyderTV PRO 2007 video calibration
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