TVSquad

... Ten shows on DVD

Since there are twelve shows a-stinkin' on TV this year (well, that's the low estimate), you might be glad to hear that 2008 brought us some spectacular TV on DVD. You knew there had to be a bright spot, right?

Whether you want to re-watch your favorite classic shows from the '50s or '60s (or earlier), or catch up on one of the hottest shows on current TV (yeah, there are a few) by starting with the first season, they've been released on DVD in 2008. It was actually hard to pick just ten, but for better or for worse, here are my picks:

The Little Rascals, The Complete Collection (1929-1938)
Released in October, this is the ultimate DVD set for Little Rascals fans. And even if you're not a fan, you've got to appreciate this set from the collector's standpoint. You may not have loved Spanky, Alfalfa and the rest of the gang, but they were cutting edge back in the '30s.

The Love Boat, season one
Volume one was released in March, followed by volume two in August. Sure, it was campy, but season one of The Love Boat marks the beginning of an era. Whenever you tuned in, you knew you'd find Doc getting laid, Gopher getting goofy, Issac getting smooth, and Captain Stubing leading with dignity. Oh, and Julie being well, a cruise director. Shuffleboard on the Lido deck, anyone?

The real claim-to-fame of TLB, though, is the showcase for guest stars that it became. If you were anyone in the '70s or '80s, you were sure to have guest-starred on the ship destined for Puerta Vallarta (Charo?). Other shows followed suit: Fantasy Island, even this decade's Las Vagas, but The Love Boat was the original.

The Smurfs, season one
Speaking of the start of an era, any child of the '80s -- heck, anyone alive during the '80s -- knows of the huge phenomenon the little blue Smurfs became. They brought a whole new meaning to the term "merchandising." But really, it was a cute little show that was timely in capturing a wide audience, and it was not only fun reminiscing with this DVD set; I got to share my fondness for everything blue with my four-year-old.

Jericho, the complete series
This one had to make the list, for it's not often that a fan campaign actually brings a show back for a second season. I'm not sure what it was about this show that made it so special, but anyone who wants to find out can catch the whole season at once, and join the Jericho nuts, a fitting campaign topic for the show and the fans.

Mad Men, season one
Yet another show that has set the bar for shows to come. Since the start of Mad Men, we've seen other shows debut that are set in the past -- Life on Mars -- and shows about the ad business too -- Big Shots, Trust Me -- so you know you're onto something good when the copycats start popping up. Plus, this DVD set comes in a very cool case, a Zippo lighter that flips up and reveals the DVDs, so this one's an owner, for sure.

Get Smart, season one
And speaking of a show that influenced many to come, Get Smart even inspired a classy cartoon, Inspector Gadget. This spy show had clever gadgets, a funny lead and a sexpot. There's a recipe for success.

The Donna Reed Show, the complete first season
How could a family comedy centered around a working mom become so influential? Seeing as this show ran for seven seasons in the '50s and '60s, and its main story is the basis for probably half the sitcoms to follow since, I guess the rest is history.

Little House on the Prairie, the complete television series
The complete series? Oh yeah! Nine seasons, I repeat, nine seasons, following the lives of the Ingalls family, Michael Landon at the helm. This show was a staple in American homes, was way better than that nameless show with John Boy, but had the family values and historical value that made it a family favorite.

The Sopranos, the complete series
I don't like it, but I totally get it, and know why it needed to be on this list. Never done before, quality, gritty TV, dysfunctional family, mobster with panic attacks, yeah, yeah, yeah. Plus a finale that had everone talking. Probably you should own this one.

The Wire, the complete series
There are very few series as critically and viewer acclaimed as The Wire. Not easy to watch at times, its accuracy of urban life portrayal and its cinematic artistry makes this one a must-own, or at least a must-catch if you missed it the first time around (as most of you did, judging by the ratings).

I can't believe how many stellar shows I had to leave off this list -- ten is way too short! I tried to make it a diverse list that encompassed different eras, different tastes, and even some with historical significance. How'd I do? Some of my favorites didn't make the cut (it killed me to delete That Girl and Damages), as I'm sure some of yours didn't either. Tell us about some other great TV on DVD of 2008 in the comments.

Twelve shows a stinkin'
Eleven babes worth watchin'