One of the best TV programs ever produced is getting the DVD reissue treatment on Tuesday, and, as usual, a wide array of other shows will be released as well.
TV miniseries
"Roots: 30th Anniversary Special Edition" (Warner, 1977, four discs, $59.98). This is quite simply one of the best TV miniseries of all time — and one of the most-watched in its initial run. And it holds up marvelously as stirring, thoughtful historical drama.
Based on Alex Haley's book, the story follows several generations of his progenitors, beginning with Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton) , abducted from his African village and brought to America as a slave. The story goes up to the Civil War and is loaded with colorful characters played by a great star cast: Louis Gossett Jr., Ben Vereen, John Amos, Richard Roundtree, Scatman Crothers, Leslie Uggams, Edward Asner, Carolyn Jones and many more.
This DVD reissue includes a new round of interviews looking back at the show, as well as a documentary that looked at it one year after the initial run.
Extras: Full frame, six episodes, new documentary: "Crossing Over," vintage TV special: "Roots: One Year Later"
TV series
"Kitchen Confidential: The Complete Series" (Fox, 2005-06, two discs, $29.98). This is a pretty funny filmed sitcom that fell prey to low ratings, about goofball co-workers (one from Utah) in a big-city top-ranked restaurant. Bradley Cooper ("Jack & Bobby," "Alias") stars as a chef who fell from grace and is now working his way back. Frank Langella, in a recurring role, is the restaurant owner.
Extras: Widescreen, 13 episodes
"Scrubs: The Complete Fifth Season" (Buena Vista/Touchstone, 2005-06, three discs, $39.99). Zach Braff leads the cast in this off-the-wall hospital sitcom, which just gets wackier with each season. Guests include Jason Batemen, Fred Savage, Dave Foley, Billy Dee Williams and Kareem Abdul-Jabar.
Extras: Full frame, 24 episodes, deleted/extended episodes, audio commentaries
"The O.C.: The Complete Fourth Season" (Warner, 2006-07, five discs, $59.98). This is the final season of this soap opera for Gen-Xers.
Extras: Widescreen, 16 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentary, featurettes
"The Magnificent Seven: Season Two" (MGM, 1999-2000, three discs, $29.98). Final season of this pretty good Western (a spin-off of the 1960 classic film, which also spawned three theatrical sequels), with Michael Biehn, Eric Close and Ron Perlman.
Extras: Full frame, 13 episodes (including four that never aired)
"Kyle XY: The Complete First Season — Declassified" (Buena Vista/Touchstone, 2006, three discs, $39.99). From the cable channel ABC Family, this sci-fi tale tells of a young man who has strange powers but no idea who he is or where he comes from — and he has no navel! Not bad but surprisingly raunchy for a "family" show.
Extras: Widescreen, 10 episodes, alternate premiere episode, audio commentaries, featurette
Specialty DVDs
"Jerry Lee Lewis: Greatest Live Performances" (Time Life, 1957-93, $19.99). Interviews and performances from a variety of TV shows with the groundbreaking rock 'n' roll star provide great entertainment for fans. At its best when Lewis cuts loose on the piano, especially in the earliest clips — including his first TV appearance on one of Steve Allen's shows.
Extras: Full frame, 14 songs, vintage interview, trailer for "High School Confidential!" (1958)
Documentaries
"The Marines" (PBS/Paramount, 2006, $24.99).
"Dogfight Over Guadalcanal" (PBS/Paramount, 2006. $24.99).
"Warplane" (PBS/Paramount, 2005, $24.99). These three documentaries arrive just in time for Memorial Day, and each is a well-crafted look at various aspects of warfare. The first is an overview of "the smallest but fiercest" branch of the armed forces, with a featurette about the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The second examines a specific World War II showdown over the Pacific and is narrated by Liev Schreiber. The third is a fascinating look at our 100 years of flight and how it came to play in 20th-century wars.
Extras: Widescreen
Kids' shows
"Tom and Jerry Tales: Volume 2" (Warner, 2006, $14.97). New episodes from the recent animated series starring the iconic cat-and-mouse duo, including sword-and-sorcery and horror spoofs.
Extras: Full frame, 13 episodes
"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Chipmunks Go to the Movies" (Paramount, 1990, $14.99). The chipmunks spoof "Star Trek" and "Batman," among others.
Extras: Full frame, three episodes
"Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Volume 3" (Nick/Paramount, 2007, $16.99). More fantastic adventures from the Nickelodeon series, with characters who manipulate the elements.
Extras: Full frame, five episodes, audio commentary
"Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure" (HBO, 2006, $14.98). Franklin the turtle takes a holiday to visit his Aunt Lucy, stirring up memories of her own childhood and a long-buried treasure.
Extras: Widescreen
"Go, Diego, Go! The Iguana Sing Along" (Nick Jr./Paramount, $16.99). Episodes: "The Iguana Sing Along," "Linda the Librarian," "Diego and Alicia Save the Otters," "Cool Water for Ana the Anaconda."
Extras: Full frame, four episodes
"Go Potty Go!" (Mazzarella, 2007, $14.95). Songs, silly stories and interactive games to motivate toddlers.
Extras: Full frame
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com