This week's TV shows-on-DVD (arriving in stores Tuesday) are led by Fess Parker's second go-around in a coonskin cap.
DANIEL BOONE: SEASON 1 (Liberation/Goldhil, 1964-65, not rated, b/w, $49.98, eight discs) Parker scored big in the 1950s as Disney's "Davy Crockett"; then, a decade later, he played a similar role as Daniel Boone in a series that ran six years. And once again Parker's soft-spoken demeanor and athletic charm served him well.
Boone was a frontiersman who blazed trails, battled redcoats before and during the Revolutionary War, and dealt with both friendly and hostile Native Americans, while demonstrating his skill with a long rifle and the occasional tomahawk.
He had a wisecracking, earthy sidekick (Albert Salmi) in the first season, along with his Indian friend Mingo (Ed Ames) and his wife (Rebecca Blair). Veronica Cartwright plays his daughter. Guest stars in this season include Leslie Nielson, George Gobel, Harry Dean Stanton, Dan Duryea and young Kurt Russell in no less than two episodes, playing different characters.
Extras: Full frame, 28 episodes, featurettes, photo gallery, language options (English, Spanish), chapters. ("Season 2" is also being released on Tuesday.)
MAMA'S FAMILY: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON (Warner, 1982, not rated, $26.95, two discs) This spinoff from Carol Burnett's variety show stars Vicki Lawrence, made up to be older and heavier as the bombastic "Mama" to a family of squabbling adults — including two who would eventually leave this show to co-star in "Golden Girls," Rue McClanahan (as Mama's sister) and, in an occasional role, Betty White (as Mama's daughter). Burnett also occasionally shows up as Mama's other daughter, along with Harvey Korman as her hapless husband — and they give this loud blue-collar sitcom a real boost. Also amusing is an episode where the family goes on the TV game show "Family Feud," with Richard Dawson.
Extras: Full frame, 13 episodes, subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
RIPTIDE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON (Sony, 1984, not rated, $39.95, three discs) Perry King and Joe Penny play sparring beach bums who run a shabby detective agency in Southern California, using an even shabbier boat and helicopter. Helping out is inventor nerd Thom Bray (look for the episode with Gina Davis as Bray's prankster sister). Anne Francis co-stars in the first half of this season, and guest stars include Kelly Preston, Dennis Franz and Lance Henriksen.
Extras: Full frame, 13 episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
BROTHERHOOD: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON (Showtime/CBS/Paramount, 2006, not rated, $56.99, three discs) This Showtime series takes a page from "The Sopranos" in terms of R-rated language and violence. The story pits two Rhode Island brothers against each other, one a mobster and the other a politician.
Extras: Widescreen, 11 episodes, audio commentary, interactive guide, language options (English, Spanish), optional English subtitles, chapters.
ONE TREE HILL: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON (Warner, 2005-06, not rated, $59.98, six discs) It's senior year for the "One Tree Hill" high school crowd.
Extras: Widescreen, 22 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurette, bloopers, subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.
CORNEIL & BERNIE, SEASON 1: VOL. 1 (First National, not rated, $16.98) Corneil is a genius dog, whose dog sitter Bernie is less so. Zany Nicktoons series for young ones.
Extras: Full frame, eight episodes, language options (English, Spanish), chapters.
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: TRICK OR TREASON (Paramount, 1988-1994, not rated, $14.99) Five Halloween-oriented episodes of the TV cartoon show.
Extras: Full frame, five episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters.
IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN (Paramount, 1966, not rated, $16.99) The Halloween favorite is reissued, with "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" (1972) as a bonus feature.
Extras: Full frame, second "Peanuts" cartoon, optional English subtitles, chapters.
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS: THE FEATURE FILMS COLLECTION (A&E, 1983/1989, not rated, $29.95, two discs) These two feature-length animated shows followed the British series.
Extras: Full frame, featurette, interactive game, photo gallery, "Paperchase" episode from Series 3, text character biographies, chapters.
BRATZ: PASSION 4 FASHION DIAMONDZ (Fox, 2006, not rated, $19.98) The animated Bratz girls get an art-class assignment to express themselves.
Extras: Full frame, trailers, language options (English, French, Spanish), subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters.
TEENY-TINY AND THE WITCH-WOMAN ... AND 4 MORE SPINE-TINGLING STORIES (Scholastic, 2006, not rated, $14.95)
MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL ... AND THREE MORE STORIES ABOUT TRUCKS (Scholastic, 2006, not rated, $14.95) More stories for children illustrated in a variety of artistic styles.
Extras: Full frame, bonus stories, read-alongs, chapters.
GO DIEGO GO! WOLF PUP RESCUE (Nick Jr./Paramount, 2006, not rated, $16.99). Episodes are "Diego's Wolf Pup Rescue," "A Booboo on the Pygmy Marmoset," "Diego Saves Mommy and Baby Sloth" and "Three Little Condors."
Extras: Full frame, four episodes, optional English subtitles, chapters; DVD-Rom applications.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com