The first season of "Ugly Betty" comes to DVD this week, along with a bevy of other TV titles, all scheduled to be in stores on Tuesday.
TV series
- "Ugly Betty: The Complete First Season: The Bettyfied Edition" (Touchstone, 2006-07, six discs, $59.99). I first noticed America Ferrera in "Real Women Have Curves," and have enjoyed her work ever since. But she's really found her calling in this show, a funny, engaging soap-opera comedy that has her dressed down to play a plain Jane in the world of high-rolling supermodels and backbiting divas.
Based on a Spanish-language telenovela and co-produced by Salma Hayek (who also appears in a few episodes), this hourlong series is an over-the-top satire of the fashion world, and it occasionally pushes boundaries (like every other show on TV today). But it's generally winning, and has a great supporting cast (Vanessa Williams, Rebecca Romijn, etc.).
And best of all, it has Ferrera, who is great.
Extras: Widescreen, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurettes, trailers
"Man Stroke Woman: The Complete First Series" (Thames, 2005, $24.98). Each episode of this funny British filmed series is a rapid-fire half-hour of comedy skits, mostly about male-female relationships, but they aren't really blackouts. The show is edited so that each sketch runs into the next, and sometimes doubles back to continue a previous sketch.
It takes a bit of getting used to because things aren't as clearly defined as, say, "Saturday Night Live." But it's worth the effort if you like dry British wit. Much of this is a riot, and the cast is appealing, although the only one you will likely recognize is Nick Frost (of the "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" movies).
Extras: Widescreen, six episodes, audio commentaries, featurettes, text biographies
"House: Season Three" (Universal, 2006-07, five discs, $59.98). Hugh Laurie, who is great in this role, returns as the title doctor who has more problems than his patients. Guests include Dave Matthews, Kathleen Quinlan, John Larroquette.
Extras: Widescreen, 24 episodes, audio commentaries, featurettes, bloopers
"JAG: The Fourth Season" (CBS/Paramount, 1998-99, six discs, $64.99). David James Elliot and Catherine Bell return for more military mysteries.
Extras: Full frame, 24 episodes, bloopers
"Home Run Derby, Volume Two: Hank Aaron" (MGM, 1959, b/w, $14.98). More episodes of this vintage series for avid sports fans, pitting Aaron against five opponents (including Duke Snider and Wally Post), plus four other sets of heavy-hitters going up against each other.
Extras: Full frame, nine segments
"Dexter: The First Season" (Showtime/CBS, 2007, four discs, $42.99). This is a very bloody Showtime cable series about a police forensics expert (Michael C. Hall) who moonlights as a serial killer who kills serial killers. Each episode has a new mystery, plus an ongoing story about a killer who plays cat and mouse with Dexter. For people who don't think "CSI" is nearly gruesome enough.
Extras: Widescreen, 12 episodes, featurettes, episodes of "Brotherhood," trailers; computer applications
"The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman: Season One" (Genius, 2007, two discs, $29.95).
"The Business: Season One" (Genius, 2007, two discs, $29.95). These two IFC cable shows are half-hour sitcoms about show business, and both are extremely foul-mouthed, with the usual R-rated language and sex (and nudity in "The Business," which is about the porn industry).
Extras: Widescreen, six episodes each, featurettes, trailer
"South Park: The Complete Tenth Season" (Comedy Central/Paramount, 2006, three discs, $49.99). Speaking of foul-mouthed, here's the latest season-on-DVD of this controversial animated series.
Extras: Full frame, 14 episodes, audio commentaries
"Flash Gordon: The Premiere Episode" (Genius, 2007, $19.95). Disappointing reinvention of the comic-strip character in kickoff of new Sci Fi Channel cable series.
Extras: Widescreen, deleted scenes, storyboards, trailers
Documentaries
- "Les Paul: Chasing Sound!" (Koch, 2006, $24.99). The innovative musician and rock 'n' roll pioneer is profiled in this fascinating "American Masters" PBS program, with comments from B.B. King, Tony Bennett, Jeff Beck, Steve Miller and many more, along with lots of fabulous music.
Extras: Widescreen, extended interviews, full-length performances, vintage TV appearances, photo gallery
"SXSW Live 2007" (Shout! 2007, $14.98). The annual Austin, Texas, concert extravaganza is represented by the 2007 event in this collection of performances and interviews, which should more than please fans of The Bravery, Aqualung, Rickie Lee Jones, etc.
Extras: Widescreen, 18 performances, featurettes.
"Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars" (Docurama, 2005, $26.95). The history of the band — which recently played Red Butte Garden — is profiled, infused with plenty its African-, reggae-, R&B-influenced music.
Extras: Widescreen, deleted scenes, featurette, music videos, trailer
"Diana: Queen of Hearts" (Genius, 2007, $12.95). TV valentine from Hallmark to Princess Di's life, narrated by Richard Attenborough.
Extras: Full frame (available exclusively at Wal-Mart)
"Pocahontas Revealed" (WGBH, 2007, $19.95). "Nova" program explores the title character, offering much more than the Disney cartoon.
Extras: Widescreen
"Six Days in June: The War That Redefined the Middle East" (WGBH, 2007, $19.95). An examination of the Six Days War in the context of understanding the Middle East today.
Extras: Widescreen
"Satan: Prince of Darkness" (Biography, 1998, $9.95). The Biography Channel examines our many interpretations of the devil.
Extras: Widescreen, bonus documentary: "Hell: The Devil's Domain"
Kids shows
- "Casper's Scare School" (ClassicMedia/Genius, 2007, $16.95).
"Re-Animated: The Movie" (CN/Warner, 2007, $14.97).
"Avatar: The Last Airbender, Book 2: Earth, Volume 4" (Nick/Paramount, 2007, four episodes, $16.99).
"The Saddle Club, Volume 1: Horse of a Different Color" (Allumination, 2007, $14.98).
"The Saddle Club, Volume 2: Storm at Pine Hollow" (Allumination, 2007, $14.98).
"Doodlebops: Get on the Bus!" (Lionsgate, 2007, $14.98).
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Season 5" (Lionsgate, 1990-92, three discs, 18 episodes, $24.98).
"Handy Manny: Tooling Around" (Disney, 2007, five episodes, $19.99).
"Little Einsteins: Rocket's Firebird Rescue" (Disney, 2007, bonus episode, $26.99).
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com