A wide-ranging array of TV series, as well as a collection of theatrical Woody Woodpecker cartoons, highlights this look at new DVDs, scheduled for release on Tuesday.
TV series
"Benson" (Sony, 1979-80, three discs, $29.95). This spinoff of the controversial "Soap" was a more mainstream, more successful and longer-running sitcom than its predecessor. The show took Benson the butler (Robert Guillaume) — who was the only sane character on "Soap" — and made him an aide to a bungling governor. Good supporting characters and clever writing help, but Guillaume is the primary reason this show is still fun. (After winning a supporting-actor Emmy for "Soap," he went on to earn five best-actor nominations for "Benson," finally winning in 1985.)
Extras: Full frame, introduction by Guillaume, featurettes, photo gallery
"Suspense: The Lost Episodes" (Infinity, 1949-54, b/w, four discs, $39.98). These are creaky kinescopes of this half-hour anthology series from the earliest days of television, with episodes starring older actors and stars-to-be — including Boris Karloff, Paul Newman, Jack Lemmon, Peter Lorre, Lee Marvin, Anne Bancroft and many more. The show was broadcast live, and there are occasional bloopers, such as the guy in the Leslie Nielsen-George Reeves episode who makes an accidental on-camera appearance and quickly ducks out of sight.
Extras: Full frame, 30 episodes
"The Real McCoys: Complete Season 1" (Infinity, 1957-58, b/w, five discs, $39.98). Before "The Andy Griffith Show" or "The Beverly Hillbillies," there was this rural comedy, which paved the way for all those that followed. Walter Brennan is Grandpa Amos McCoy, a busybody old coot who can't mind his own business — especially when it comes to his grandson Luke (Richard Crenna) as the entire clan moves from West Virginia to California. Great fun for fans of vintage sitcoms.
Extras: Full frame, 39 episodes
"Star Trek: Fan Collective — Captain's Log" (CBS/Paramount, 1966-2005, five discs, $42.99). Another collection of favorite episodes from the various "Star Trek" series, this time focusing on each of the "Trek" captains — episodes that were chosen by fans online. Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway and Archer are center stage, and the actors who played them introduce various episodes.
Extras: Full frame/widescreen, 15 episodes, new introductions, featurettes
"Stargate SG1: Season 10" (MGM, 2006-07, five discs, $49.98). This is the final season of this show, but there are still a few loose ends at the conclusion of the final episode, keeping the door open for future TV-movie sequels. There's a holy war disrupting the galaxy, and the storylines and villains get much darker.
Extras: Widescreen, 22 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurettes, photo/production-design galleries
"Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law: Volume Three" (Warner, 2007, two discs, $29.98). More "Adult Swim" animation with the wily ... or is it dimwitted? ... lawyer who wears his superhero costume under his suit. Adults-only for these naughty 'toons.
Extras: Full frame, deleted scenes, featurettes, comic book
"Tales From the Crypt: The Complete Sixth Season" (Warner, 1994, three discs, $39.98). More of the hit-and-miss dark-comic horror anthology, introduced by the Cryptkeeper puppet, with such stars as Rita Rudner, Catherine O'Hara, Isaac Hayes, etc. One episode features a digitally resurrected Humphrey Bogart, and in the "Forrest Gump"-spoof introduction, Alfred Hitchcock shows up!
Extras: Full frame, 15 episodes, bonus episode: "Whirlpool," virtual comic book
Kids shows
"The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection" (Universal, 1930-55, three discs, $39.98). These are theatrical cartoons from Walter Lantz, led by Woody Woodpecker, of course, but also Chilly Willy (the first animated penguin?), Andy Panda, etc. Nostalgic fun for baby boomers, as well as their children and grandchildren.
Extras: Full frame, 75 cartoons, "The Woody Woodpecker Show" TV episode, featurettes
"Eloise Goes to School" (Starz, 2007, $14.98). When Eloise's tutor quits, she finds herself in a prep school in this featurette (45 minutes), which continues the stories of the 6-year-old girl who lives in Manhattan's Plaza Hotel. Voices include Tim Curry, Lynn Redgrave, Neil Patrick Harris and Doris Roberts.
Extras: Widescreen/full-frame options, coloring pages, screensavers, character gallery, trailers; DVD-Rom applications
"Sesame Street: Ready for School!" (Genius, 2007, $14.93). "Sesame Street" muppets (and humans, including Shirley Jones as Mother Goose) help Elmo — and your own children — know what to expect when they start school.
Extras: Full frame
"Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Tricked" (Anchor Bay, 1984-86, $12.98; $14.98 with toy train).
"Thomas & Friends: James Goes Buzz Buzz" (Anchor Bay, 1987-88, $12.98; $14.98 with toy train).
The first disc has episodes culled from the earliest "Thomas" shows, narrated by Ringo Starr. The second are later shows, narrated by George Carlin.
Extras: Full frame, seven episodes each, sing-alongs, interactive games
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com