DVDs scheduled to hit stores this week include:
"Jeopardy! An Inside Look at America's Favorite Quiz Show!" (Sony, 2005, not rated, color and b/w, $19.94). Alex Trebek hosts this collection of episodes and backstage featurettes from the popular quiz show. The episodes are the first hosted by Trebek (in 1984), the episode in which Salt Laker Ken Jennings finally lost after a long winning streak, and the champions series in which Jennings later took part.
More interesting are the background interviews and a look at how the show comes together, with interviews with past champions (including Jennings) and crew members. Great fun for fans of the show.
Extras: Full frame, five episodes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"War of the Worlds: The Complete First Season" (Paramount, 1988, not rated, $38.99). This series is a direct sequel to the 1953 film, as aliens are battled by the few humans who tip to their evil plans. In that regard, this show probably owes as much to "V" as it does H.G. Wells, but it's obviously a pricey show (for the first season, anyway) and there are some effective episodes. It's also fun to see the allusions not only to the '53 film but the 1938 Orson Welles radio broadcast.
Extras: Full frame, chapters.
"Blue Collar TV: Season 1, Volume 1" (Warner, 2004, not rated, $24.98). There are some amusing moments in this redneck series starring Jeff Foxworthy and his comic comrades, but it's pretty much "Dumb and Dumber" comedy. And there are some surprisingly vulgar moments as well.
Extras: Full frame, 13 episodes, making-of featurette, text "Redneck Dictionary," subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"The Partridge Family: The Complete Second Season" (Sony, 1971-72, not rated, $29.95, three discs). Shirley Jones and clan are a family of pop musicians, and her real-life stepson David Cassidy is a full-fledged bubblegum star by the time this season gets rolling. Soft family-friendly comedy that is definitely a product of its time, the ever-wacky 1970s. Guests include Gordon Jump, Dean Jagger, Ray Bolger, Rob Reiner and Meredith Baxter.
Extras: Full frame, 24 episodes, musical-performance chapters, trailers, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"21 Jump Street: The Complete Fourth Season" (Anchor Bay, 1989-90, not rated, $44.98, six discs). This is the show's penultimate season, and Johnny Depp's last with the show. His is the most interesting character, although Holly Robinson (Peete) is highlighted in a strong episode in which her character is raped while undercover. Guest stars include Vince Vaughn, Rosie Perez, Thomas Haden Church, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shannen Doherty.
Extras: Full frame, 26 episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Pioneers of PrimeTime" (PBS/Paramount, 2005, not rated, b/w and color, $19.99). This hourlong documentary looks at the early days of television, with some enjoyable interviews with comics who have since passed on — Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Bob Hope and especially Red Skelton, who tell jokes, do impersonations and seem to be having a great time. Sid Caesar is also interviewed, and there are black-and-white clips galore for "Golden Age of TV" buffs.
Extras: Full frame, extended interviews, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Las Vegas: An Unconventional History" (PBS/Paramount, 2005, not rated, color and b/w, $24.99). This two-part, three-hour PBS overview of Las Vegas, which alternates in telling Sin City's history and interviewing people who live and work there today, seems pretty thorough and is often quite entertaining.
Extras: Widescreen, making-of featurette, 1950s Civil Defense film on nuclear testing: "Let's Face It," optional English subtitles, chapters.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com