CSI
The Eighth Season
Paramount

Another collection of twists and turns in the world of the original CSI show set in Vegas, from the departure of Sara (Jorja Fox), after a harrowing experience in “Dead Doll,” to the emotional fallout for team leader Grissom (William Petersen), plus stories focusing on Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) and Warrick (Gary Dourdan). For sheer TV geek-out pleasure, there’s the crossover with sister (or brother) show Without a Trace, as Grissom and company team up with FBI Agent Jack Malone (Anthony LaPaglia) and his outfit.  Other stand-outs include “A La Carte,” where teen go-carting turns deadly, and the aforementioned Warrick centerpiece “For Gedda,” which closes out the season. The under-the-microscope crime-solving coupled with elemental human interactions still works, providing evidence as to why CSI (and its spin-offs) continue on.

Beverly Hillbillies
The Official Second Season
Paramount

There was a time, and may still be for some, that even moments of The Beverly Hillbillies bring a shifting in the couch or chair and an uncomfortable feeling about how plain dumb it all is. But then, so much of it — the antics of Jethro on one hand or Mr. Drysdale on the other — send it into the absurd-verse stratosphere. From that Flatt and Scruggs “Ballad of Jed Clampett theme,” to the blatant Kelloggs and Winston logos (the days when cigarettes were advertised on TV), to that wacky Granny (Irene Ryan), it can all bring a nostalgic smile too, as in “Granny Learns to Drive” or “The Giant Jack Rabbit.” And Buddy Ebsen as patriarch Jed plays the down-home stoic center of wisdom in the midst of all the chaos and madness around him.

Mission Impossible
Fifth Season
Paramount

Produced by Bruce Lansbury (Angela’s brother, remember, who also helmed much of the Wild Wild West too), the fifth season of Mission: Impossible introduces more new characters, which include Lesley Ann Warren (a hottie in her day then) as so young-and-hip Dan Lambert, even singing folk-rock(!), and Sam Elliot as Doug Robert/Doug Lang replacing Willy for a number of episodes. Leonard Nimoy remains as Paris, the master of disguise and pretty much owns “My Friend, My Enemy,” (revealing some back story on his life as a magician), “Butterfly,” and “The Hostage.”  The stories reflect the Vietnam-era times, from radical students to leftist terrorists (one could never call this program, uh, “liberal,” though it ain’t neo-con either). The music gets amped up, though the unbeatable Lalo Schiffrin theme remains and endures.

Nash  Bridges
First Season
Paramount

Don Johnson returned to TV in the mid-’90s, Miami Vice long behind him, as Nash Bridges. Created by Carlton Cuse, who gave us the gone-before-its-time Brisco County, this was a cop show with the right balance of action/adventure and humor, especially thanks to the chemistry of Johnson as Nash and Cheech Marin as his partner Joe Dominguez, tooling around in Nash’s convertible uphill and downhill in the streets of San Francisco (whoops, wrong show there…).  Part of what made it work was the slow-building ensemble cast, from not just the police deparment to Nash and Joe’s families. It hadn’t all yet arrived in the first season, but it’s a warm-up for the future seasons on DVD to come.

Dynasty
Season Three, Vol. Two
Paramount

Ah, the trials and tributions, the schemes, backstabbing, and more, the Carringtons richer than the Ewings, more elegant and sophisticated, but oh, that catfight in a lily pond between Crystal (Linda Evans) and Alexis (Joan Collins) is a classic ’80s TV scene, period.  Of course, the whole two-volume season thing, for certain, shows it’s hard to fathom and ticks off some fans who just want a complete season set period. But to revisit this classic trash, from the authoratative John Forsythe (the voice of “Charlie” in Charlie’s Angels a few years earlir and TV vet of the ’50s and ’60s) as Blake Carrington and a so-young Jack Coleman (now Claire’s dad Noah on Heroes) as son Steven replacing Al Corley in a neat trick of an accident with bandages, it’s TV glory, ain’t it?

Sarah Silverman Program
Season Two, Part One
Comedy Central

This set collects the first six shows of the loud, lewd, and damn funny Silverman’s second season on Comedy Central.  She’s got a mouth like a sewer, believes in nepotism, hiring her sis as a cast regular, and can probably drink ya under the table.  What’s not to love there? There are behind-the-scenes trivia material behind each episode which include tales such as abortion clinic bombers in “Bored of the Rings,” the racial revelations of “Face Wars,” God as an ex-boyfriend in “Ah, Men,” and deporting her household help then scrambling to get her back in “Maid to Border.” Other bonus material includes footage from Comic-Con in 2007. Wanna win a copy?  Tell us your favorite Sarah episode and send that with your mailing info to dvdgiveaway@buzzine.com.

Lil’ Bush: Resident of United States 
Season Two
Comedy Central

Ah, more from the cartoon alternative universe of Lil’ Bush and his White House Pals — Lil’ Cheney, Lil’ Condi, and Lil’ Rummy. Yes, it’s a mega-slam against W. and his years in office, but the “other side” gets smacked around too, in the form of Lil’ Dems including Lil’ Gore, Lil’ Kucinich, and  Lil’ John Kerry, among others. The best episode may be daddy ex-prez George H. W. Bush taking the Lil’ Cronies camping in Iraq. And all more than just a one-note joke. Win a copy of Lil’ Bush Season Two — Send your info to dvdgiveaway@buzzine.com.

Gangland: The Complete Season One
A&E Home Video

True reality TV, with harrowing looks at gang members, police, and victims. The four discs take one inside gang culture, and at times it’s damn scary indeed, from American Gangster Harlem to the Mexican Mafia & LA County, various Race Wars and more, as one realizes how many gang members there are in major cities (and not even so major towns) all over the USA. Absorbing, fascinating, and agitating as well.  Win a copy from dvdgiveaway@buzzine.com.