Later seasons of a number of beloved TV series lead off these new-to-DVD titles, most of which will be in stores on Tuesday.
"SCTV, Volume 4" (Shout! 1982-83, not rated, $89.98, six discs). It's "Volume 4" but it's the fifth season of this beloved Canadian comedy-skit series, and three key members of the cast have departed — Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis and Catherine O'Hara (though O'Hara is a guest in this set's Christmas episode). That leaves John Candy, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy, Joe Flaherty — and the new guy, Martin Short.
These episodes have some hilarious skits in the tried-and-true "SCTV" tradition and introduce a character who became identified with Short, the dweeb with the high pants and the spiked hair, Ed Grimley. And, of course, such regulars as Edith Prickley (Martin) and Sammy Maudlin (Levy) are also on hand.
Guests include Robin Williams, John Cougar Mellencamp, Crystal Gayle, Ben Vereen and Fred Willard.
Extras: Full frame, 12 episodes, audio commentary (selected episodes, by Flaherty, Short, O'Hara), making-of featurettes, interviews, 1970 skit film: "Goin' Down the Road," 2004 Sammy Maudlin skits by Levy,
"Taxi: The Complete Third Season" (Paramount, 1980-81, not rated, $38.99, four discs). Christopher Lloyd, as burned-out Reverend Jim, is hilarious in his first full season as a regular; look for the episode where we meet his wealthy but wacko family. Alex (Judd Hirsch), Louie (Danny DeVito), Elaine (Marilu Henner), Tony (Tony Danza) and Latka (Andy Kaufman) are all on hand, of course; this season would be the last for Bobby (Jeff Conaway). Great fun and a great cast in an often hysterically funny show.
Extras: Full frame, 20 episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Cheers: The Complete Sixth Season" (Paramount, 1987-88, not rated, $38.99, four discs). This is the season that introduced Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley) as the manager of the Cheers bar in Boston, and Sam (Ted Danson) comes home begging for a job. Alley manages to give new life to the veteran sitcom, and Carla (Rhea Perlman), Woody (Woody Harrelson), Cliff (John Ratzenberger), Norm (George Wendt), Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth). Also on hand on an occasional basis this season are Rebecca's boss, Evan (Tom Skerritt), and Carla's new husband, Eddie (Jay Thomas). A very funny season for the classic show.
Extras: Full frame, 25 episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Frasier: The Complete Sixth Season" (Paramount, 1998-99, not rated, $38.99, four discs). This well-written show is often quite funny, though it was about this time that the stories began to become a bit sex obsessed, as was the case with all of TV in the years leading up to the 21st century. Still, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and the rest of the gang shine in various episodes. In one episode, Woody Harrelson pays a visit as his character from "Cheers."
Extras: Full frame, 23 episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"Smallville: The Complete Fourth Season" (Warner, 2004-05, not rated, $59.98, six discs). Clark Kent's senior year gets under way in this fourth season as he attempts to save the planet at his own peril (that pesky Kryptonite seems to be everywhere). Michael Rosenbaum is back as Luthor, along with Kristin Kreuk as Lana, and recurring guest stars include Erica Durance (as Lois Lane), Jane Seymour and Michael Ironside. Not as charming as it seemed in Seasons 1 and 2, but still fun for Superman fans.
Extras: Widescreen, 22 episodes, audio commentary (on selected episodes), deleted scenes, making-of featurettes (including one on actors who have played Lois Lane), subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters (plus DVD-ROM applications).
"Doogie Howser, M.D.: Season Two" (Anchor Bay, 1990, not rated, $39.98, four discs). The young doctor (Neil Patrick Harris) is 17 in this second season, in his third year of residency and trying to live like a normal teen, but he's also a brilliant doctor, albeit without much life experience. Julius Erving guests in an episode about basketball, Doogie's mom gets a job at the hospital, and Doogie gets famous by doing public-service TV ads.
Extras: Full frame, 25 episodes, new interviews, interactive quiz, photo gallery, optional English subtitles, chapters.
"The Brady Bunch: The Complete Third Season" (Paramount, 1971-72, not rated, $38.99, four discs). More comic misadventures of the blended Brady family, led by Robert Reed and Florence Henderson. Ann B. Davis, who plays Alice the maid, gets to do double-duty when Alice's lookalike cousin comes to visit. Silly '70s sitcom that's strictly for fans.
Extras: Full frame, 23 episodes, chapters.
"One Tree Hill" (Warner, 2004-2005, not rated, $59.98, six discs). This teen series continues the story of half-brothers Nathan and Lucas Scott (James Lafferty, Chad Michael Murray), who get along better this season. Co-stars include Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, Paul Johansson and Barbara Alyn Woods, and the older generation represented by Barry Corbin, Craig Sheffer and Moira Kelly. Soap-opera plots and amusing hijinks are the order of the day, from car crashes and heart attacks to the prom and a "dare night."
Extras: Widescreen, audio commentary (on selected episodes), deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
"Las Vegas: Season 2: Uncut & Uncensored" (Universal, 2004-05, not rated, $59.98, three double-sided discs). James Caan is the big dog in this sleazy program set in Sin City (with even sleazier footage added for the DVD).
Guests Sylvester Stallone, Alec Baldwin, Jon Lovitz, Cheryl Ladd and Don Knotts give this in-the-casino show a boost here and there, along with songsters Snoop Dog, Duran Duran, Clint Black and the Black Eyed Peas.
"George Lopez: Why You Crying?" (Paramount, 2005; R for language; not rated, $19.99). This is an extended version of George Lopez's stand-up comedy show that recently aired on Showtime, and he's pretty funny with observations on everyday life, and particular insight into the Latino community. As always these days, it is laced with far too many four-letter words, which gets a bit tiresome for me.
Extras: Full frame, interview with Lopez, subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.
"Weebles: Sharing in the Fun" (Hasbro/Playskool/Paramount, 2005, not rated, $14.99). Episodes in this computer-animated 3-D musical compilation are "Bumpus' New Home," "The Weebles Day Parade," "Birdie Lee's Colorful Day," "Tibby and the Weebles Band" and "Mac & Cheese, Please! Beans & Franks? Thanks!" Aimed at preschoolers, teaching life lessons through light comedy.
Extras: Full frame, five episodes, chapters.
"My Fantastic Field Trip to the Planets" (Wonderscape, 2005, not rated, $14.98). Young Jake takes off in his toy rocket to encounter nine friendly planets that talk and sing (think "A Trip to the Moon"), thanks to special effects in this educational live-action fantasy aimed at kids ages 3-10.
Extras: Widescreen, 20 NASA videos, space quiz, chapters.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com