'Jericho' tops list of Top 5 DVD releases

Retro television set

A year-end wrap-up of what I considered to be the best TV on DVD sets that were released this year is a good topic for the end of my first calendar year writing this column because I suggested TV on DVD as an Examiner topic in September and received approval to write about what I considered to be the best features of TV on DVD sets in October.

Incidentally, the Australian DVD set of the third season of "My Favorite Martian" about which I wrote in that entry would have made the current list of best DVD sets if it had been released in 2008.

The links to each of the sets listed below are to my reviews of them that show why they are on the list. I consider each program to be very good and include exceptional extras.

In many cases, the set also comes in clever packaging; I could not decide if the complete series set of "The Real Ghostbusters," "Mystery Science Theater 3000: 20th Anniversary Edition," or the complete series set of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E"  deserved the top prize regarding this. The complete series set of "Get Smart" comes in a very close second.

Making the complete series set of "Jericho" my first choice should not surprise anyone. The program's portrayal of how realistic characters from a small town would respond to a somewhat realistic wide-spread nuclear attack presents so many topics for discussion that watching the episodes repeatedly has value; further, the ongoing nature of the story makes watching several episodes at one time very worthwhile.

I was impressed as well that fans formed a community to fight for a second season and are keeping up the battle after CBS did not act in very good faith regarding this and left the story open-ended despite not planning a third season.

Additionally, the complete DVD set of "Jericho" has many extras that include the cast and crew repeatedly expressing their genuine appreciation of the loyalty of the fans. I do not recall that after a comparable effort saved "Roswell," and none of the titles of the extras on the DVD sets of that show indicate any type of the thank yous that the "Jericho" folks created.

5. "The Real Ghostbusters" complete series DVDs

4. "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." complete series set

3. "Mystery Science Theater 3000: 20th Anniversary Edition"

2. "Get Smart" complete series

1. "Jericho" complete series

Please share your comments regarding my choices and yours as additions to this entry or as e-mail to tvdvdguy@gmail.net. I reserve the right to delete any choices that involve the Olsen twins or Dane Cook.