BLOG: MyTube - Part 2 of 5
More DVD goodies to revive strike-weary audiences
The best TV on DVD
By Laura Reineke, Blogs Editor
February 5, 2008 | 12:36 a.m.
Welcome to the second of five installments of “The Best TV on DVD” – that is, my recommendations for worthwhile television shows on which to spend your Barnes & Noble gift card leftover from the holiday season. On today’s menu, a comedy, a drama, and a little bit of both.
“Arrested Development,” Seasons 1-3 (Fox 2004)
It was a smart comedy that took some getting used to – no laugh track, gasp! But the sardonic wit of its fiercely talented cast kept this gem off the chopping block for three seasons. The misadventures of the wealthy and ridiculous Bluth family have to be seen to be believed, but it’s the dialogue that makes this show amazing. Take, for example, this exchange between George-Michael (Michael Cera) and Gob — pronounced like the biblical Job (Will Arnett):
George-Michael: Were you ever awkward around girls?
Gob: What, you mean if there were three of us, and I didn’t know where to start?
See? This show is a must-own.
“The West Wing,” Seasons 1-7 (NBC 1999)
This behind-the-scenes look at the office of the United States presidency was the perfect vehicle for creator Aaron Sorkin’s corridor-walking, paragraph-reciting narrative style. Everything I need to know about our government I learned from the brilliant cast and engaging storylines of this Emmy-winning drama. It lagged a bit in later seasons, but the passion for politics is so infectious, you’ll want to watch it straight through.
“Firefly,” Complete Series (FOX 2002)
“Buffy” was groundbreaking, “Angel” was…pretty good, but “Firefly” was, in my opinion, the best that Joss Whedon had to offer: intriguing plots in a high-concept setting, complex characters portrayed by seriously talented actors, awesome dialogue and kick-ass action sequences. The full-length feature film “Serenity” was a nice wrap-up for the doomed series, but nothing can match the genius of these 15 episodes (three of which were originally unaired). Plus, space cowboys!
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Read Part One of "The best TV on DVD" here.
For more from the mind of Laura Reineke, check out her main blog, OH HONESTLY, at ohonestly.blogspot.com.