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ought to be on DVD
Our critic's choice of the best over 50-plus years
By Ethan Alter
When DVDs were first introduced in the late 90s, who would have guessed that the new format would benefit the television industry as much, if not more, than film distributors?
From "Star Trek" to "Buffy," "I Love Lucy" to "Friends," TV shows are finding a second life on DVD.
Why?
Well, the excellent sound and picture quality are big draws, as is the sleek packaging. But best of all are the extras, which can include commentary tracks, bonus footage and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Lately it seems like another classic or cult TV show is making its DVD debut every week. Still, there are a number of worthy programs that continue to go overlooked, at least in America. (For a number of reasons, primarily the industry's bizarre syndication rules, many shows debut on DVD abroad before being released in this country).
Here are this reviewer's picks for the 10 television shows most deserving of a U.S. DVD release.
1) 'NewsRadio'
NBC, 1995-1999
Forget Friends, this low-rated series was the funniest ensemble sitcom of the 1990s and arguably one of the best workplace comedies ever produced.
"Kids in the Hall" veteran Dave Foley starred as Dave Nelson, the mild-mannered director of a New York radio station staffed with a host of wacky personalities. There was Jimmy James (Stephen Root) the station's wealthy, eccentric owner; Lisa Miller (Maura Tierney) a combative reporter who became Dave's lover; and Matthew Brock (Andy Dick) the strange but affable secretary.
Best of all was Bill McNeil (played to perfection by the late Phil Hartman), the self-absorbed anchor. Smartly written, terrifically acted and side-splittingly hilarious, "NewsRadio" wins new fans whenever it pops up in syndication.
Just imagine how many more people the show would convert if it were available on DVD.
2) 'Angel'
WB, 1999-present
With the first two seasons of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" enjoying brisk DVD sales, it's time to give its under-appreciated spin-off similar treatment.
Granted, "Angel" got off to a rocky start, but the series hit its stride midway through the second year and never looked back. In fact, this season it frequently outclassed "Buffy" with terrific story arcs that touched on themes ranging from fatherhood to vengeance.
"Angel's" first two seasons are already available on DVD in Europe--those with region-free players can purchase them on Amazon.co.uk---but there's still no word on when fans here might see them.
3) 'Andy Richter Controls the Universe'/'The Tick'/'Undeclared'
Fox, 2001-present/2002/2001-2002
This past year, Fox aired three of the funniest sitcoms to come along in some time: the smart college comedy "Undeclared," the sublime super-hero spoof "The Tick" and the delightfully weird "Andy Richter."
By the time the 2001-2002 season drew to a close, however, the network had unceremoniously dumped all but two of these shows ("Richter" is currently scheduled as a 2003 midseason replacement).
Considering Fox's track record, it won't be long before that program is also swept into the dustbin, so why don't they just go ahead and release all three series on one special edition DVD set?
They could call it "Fox's Funniest Screw-Ups."
4) 'The Kingdom'
Denmark
1st Series: 1994
2nd Series: 1997
Before spearheading the Dogma 95 movement, Danish director Lars Von Trier created this one-of-a-kind program about a haunted hospital. Picture "ER" crossed with "Rosemary's Baby" and you still haven't hit upon "The Kingdom's" demented brilliance.
Equal parts comedy and horror, the first four-hour series caused such a sensation in Denmark that it was actually given a limited theatrical and video release stateside.
Von Trier continued the story a few years later in "The Kingdom Part II," which remains unavailable in this country even on VHS.
Seeing as how ABC recently announced plans to produce an American version of the series, written by Stephen King, now would be the perfect time to release a special edition DVD of the full eight-hour original.
5) 'Playhouse 90'
CBS, 1956-1960
In the early years of television, live broadcasts were the rule, not the exception. Sure this wasn't a huge hurdle for sitcoms and variety shows to overcome, but imagine trying to film a 90-minute drama on live TV.
The fact that "Playhouse 90" accomplished this feat week-in week-out for most of its four-year run (once the technology improved, they did tape some shows but continued to film the majority live) is reason enough to include it in the TV Hall of Fame.
Even more impressive is the show's talent roster, which reads like a Who's Who of future Hollywood stars. Jack Palance and Art Carney landed their first major roles here while John Frankenheimer and George Roy Hill cut their directing teeth on several episodes.
Aside from its historical interest, "Playhouse 90" is a great television show that deserves to be seen and appreciated by a new generation of viewers.
6) 'Fraggle Rock'
HBO, 1983-1988
The "Muppet Show" is rightly considered a television masterpiece, but this later effort from puppet whiz Jim Henson also deserves some respect.
Perhaps best remembered for its catchy theme song, "Fraggle Rock" also featured a number of memorable characters (especially those busy Doozers) and touching stories.
It may not be as sophisticated as "The Muppet Show," but it's still an excellent family program.
7) 'East Side/West Side'
CBS, 1963-1964
One of the first television dramas to confront urban problems head on, "East Side/West Side" is a poster child for shows ahead of their time. Each week, New York City social worker Neil Brock (George C. Scott) came face-to-face with such big city issues as child abuse, drugs and racism.
One of the most famous episodes co-starred James Earl Jones as a young black man trying to make a better life for his wife and infant daughter. Unlike many "gritty" dramas of that era, "East Side/West Side" has lost none of its power. Indeed, it serves as a reminder that many of yesteryear's problems are still with us.
8) 'Red Dwarf'
BBC, 1988
For those who thought that British sitcoms could only star the Monty Python guys or Rowan Atkinson, check out this cult sci-fi comedy set millions of years in the future aboard a deep-space mining ship.
The sets and costumes may be "Dr. Who"-level cheesy (that's part of the charm!) but the characters are endearing and the writing is imaginative.
Plus, any show that features a talking toaster deserves to be on DVD.
9) 'Profit'
Fox, 1996
Another casualty of Fox's slash-and-burn policy, this cult series never got the chance to find a wide audience, but those who were able to catch its brief run remember it well.
"Profit's" elaborate plot twists and sinister characters--the "hero" was an amoral businessman who had been raised in a cardboard box--kept viewers on the edge of their seats. But, alas, the network cancelled the series only six episodes into its run.
DVD would give the show's fans a chance to see how it all turned out.
10) 'Seinfeld'
NBC, 1990-1998
Yes, you can watch Jerry and the gang every night in syndication, but this is the kind of series that DVD was made for.
Just think of the possibilities for extras: Cast and crew commentary tracks on classic episodes like "The Contest," outtakes, a tour of Jerry's apartment, a cameo by the real Kramer.
NBC must be aware of the gold mine it has on its hands here, so what's the hold up?
July 8, 2002
© 2002 Media Life-
Ethan Alter is a New York writer and a contributor to Media Life.
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