» TV Shows on DVD

Thanksgiving is here, and in the television world that means just one thing: long, badly played football games.

Luckily for everyone who isn't a fan of the Detroit Lions (and even luckier for those who are), there are other things you can watch this year, thanks to a slew of new DVD releases issued this week. So in order to help you plan the perfect Lions-free holiday, we're here with our weekly breakdown of the top new TV DVDs of the week. Because when you're done passing the rolls, its time to pass the remote.

You know those people who are always saying there's nothing worth watching on TV? They clearly haven't taken a look at our TV-on-DVD holiday gift guide list, because 2009 has been packed with DVD releases of TV series and specials that would make anyone save the grinchiest Grinch sit up and take notice.

Peruse the lineup for yourself (and be prepared to add a few boxed sets to your own wish list).

Thanksgiving is next week, and you know what that means: Black Friday and a horde of unparalleled shopping opportunities. It's the time of the year when studios give thanks for their inventory of hot TV properties and hope that consumers give thanks for the chance to buy them up. Ah, the holidays!

It's an especially heartwarming time for fans of great programming, of course, and this week really kicks the pre-Christmas frenzy into full gear with a slate of high-profile offerings sure to make any fan act a little extra nice just in case Santa is watching. So check out our list of the top DVD releases of the week and start making your own list, because it's the time of the season... for watching television.

Normally the lull between Halloween and Christmas is a down time for kids, but not this year, because there's a new holiday to celebrate: DVD Release Tuesday.

At least, that seems to be the theory this week, as the slate of new releases contains a Santa-sized bag of goodies for kids -- or simply those who are still kids at heart. From 'G. I. Joe' to 'SpongeBob' to 'Sesame Street', if you're a fan of kids television, this is the week for you. So grab that leftover candy corn and fire up the flatscreen, because it's time for our weekly rundown of the top new TV releases on DVD.

Over the past weekend, Americans across the country were called upon to roll back their clocks for daylight savings time. But why stop at just an hour, when you can roll back the clock to a whole different decade by curling up with your favorite show of yesteryear on DVD?

That's right, it's time for a new week of classic television DVDs hot off the press. Because when the gray days of winter loom, why not just go straight to black and white?

Disappointed with the new fall season? Think you could do a better job than those overpaid TV executive fat cats? Well, now's your chance, because today another batch of television classics arrives on DVD, allowing you to create your own line-up of hit shows from yesterday and today.

Headlining this week's releases is the first season of 'The Guardian', which introduced viewers to hunky-yet-sensitive Aussie Simon Baker, who now pulls down massive ratings every week on 'The Mentalist'.

More TV DVD new releases, after the jump ...

While most studios usually wait until Christmas to put out their top DVD releases, this year it seems as though they've decided that Halloween is good enough as today brings us a wide selection of delicious television treats. Of course, we doubt your neighbors will want to hand these out no matter how nicely you ask, but if you have the money you might want to take a look for yourself.

Because for fans of good TV, today really is Christmas in October.

We've got the scoop on September's choice TV-to-DVD releases: We'll let you know when you should dole out your hard-earned dollars, and when a simple addition to your Netflix queue will suffice. -- By Janine LoGelfo

'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' (The Complete First Season) - HBO's series about a strong Botswana woman based on the popular Alexander McCall books has yet to be renewed for a second season -- while that mystery is being solved, familiarize yourself with this gem of a show. Jill Scott's portrayal of the iconic character Mma Ramostwe is like a breath of fresh air, and the show is surprisingly clean for HBO's sensibilities, featuring no profanity, explicit violence or sex throughout the whole season.
Buy or Netflix? Netflix (available Sept. 1)

With so many DVDs of favorite shows coming out, it's hard to keep track of what's worth our time ... and, more importantly, our money. We've got the scoop on August's best TV-to-DVD releases, and we'll let you know when you should lay down your hard-earned cash (buy!) and when you should probably pinch your pennies (rent!). -- By Janine LoGelfo

Scrubs (Season 8)- Season 8 was a humdinger -- the series moved from NBC to ABC, guest-starred Courteney Cox-Arquette as the new chief of medicine and bade farewell to the show's main character, J.D. (Zach Braff.) Although Zach Braff has confirmed he will be returning for the first six episodes of season 9, Sacred Heart won't be the same without him. Buy this DVD, if only for one of the prettiest end-of-season montages you'll ever see.
Buy or Netflix? Buy (available Aug. 25)

With so many DVDs of favorite shows coming out, it's hard to keep track of what's worth our time ... and, more importantly, our money. We've got the lowdown on July's best TV-to-DVD releases, and we'll even tell you what's worth purchasing for your home collection and what you can get away with just renting. -- By Janine LoGelfo


Jon & Kate Plus 8 (Season 4, Volume 2) -- For those of you who didn't know who Jon and Kate Gosselin were before the media maelstrom began, here's a chance for you to catch up.
Buy or Netflix? Netflix (available July 21)