Here’s a selection of top gift ideas for the multimedia TV show watcher in the family.
The Wonder Years: Complete Series (StarVista Entertainment/Time Life, Not Rated, $249.95) — The nostalgic journey of a boy maturing in an American suburb during the late 1960s and early 1970s was a mainstay on the ABC Network from 1988 to1993. This 26-disc DVD collection complies all 115 episodes from the Emmy-award winning series that starred Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold and Danica McKellar as Winnie Cooper.
As much as a comedy as drama show, its exploration of the American family each week captured the hearts and imagination of television viewers as the show touched upon topics such as the war in Vietnam, the hippie culture, women in society, friendship, death, bullying and a never-ending budding romance between Kevin and Winnie.
The discs arrive housed in a metal school locker (12-inches tall) with other goodies such as a mini, hard-copy yearbook — featuring memories and notes from the cast and production staff — and a collection of refrigerator magnets.
Viewers also get about 24 hours worth of digital extras spread out over the discs mixing interviews with near every member of cast and crew, outtakes, tours of the set, looks at near every aspect of the production (including the fantastic classic rock music choices) and even an hourlong cast reunion that took place in 2014.
The Sopranos: The Complete Series (HBO Home Entertainment, Unrated, $279.98) — Arguably one of the greatest crime dramas in the history of television returns in a 28-disc, Blu-ray collection highlighting creator David Chase’s masterful storytelling of a complex gangster.
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Through 86 episodes, Tony Soprano (played expertly by James Gandolfini) juggled life as a violent crime boss in New Jersey with his role as “family” man while he struggled with the crippling effects of depression and panic attacks.
The cast of colorful characters — such as Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano, Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante, Steve Tony Sirico as “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri, Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti, Steve Buscemi as Tony Blundetto , Joe Pantoliano as Ralph Cifaretto and Vincent Pastore as Sal Bonpensiero — cemented the series brilliance and helped deliver 21 Emmy awards during its run.
Extras include two dozen optional commentary tracks (featuring everyone from Peter Bogdanovich, Steve Buscemi and Henry J. Bronchtein to Mr. Chase), a 45-minute documentary on how “The Sopranos” became a television landmark, a 75-minute roundtable with Mr. Chase talking to many of the principles, and Alec Baldwin with a 45-minute interview of Mr. Chase.
The Bob Newhart Show: The Complete Series (Shout! Factory, Not Rated, $129.99) — America’s comedic king of deadpan delivery starred as a Chicago psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Hartley, in a popular weekly show that ran on CBS from 1972 to 1978.
Now compiled into a 19-disc, DVD set, fans of legendary situation comedies can appreciate all 142 episodes co-starring a cast that included neighbor Howard Borden (Bill Daily); office suite pal, dentist Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz); resident neurotic Elliot Carlin (Jack Riley); wife Emily (Susan); the unflappable secretary Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace); and guest appearances by such television legends as Tom Poston, Henry Winkler, John Ritter, Penny Marshal, Loni Anderson and Fred Willard.
As far as extras, viewers get: the original version of the pilot episode; a cast reunion show from 1991 (the characters analyze the ending of Mr. Newhart’s second sitcom from the 1980s); 15 optional commentary tracks (anchored by Bob Newhart throughout); a 46-minute roundtable discussion from 2013 with Mr. Newhart, Mr. Bonerz, Mr. Daily and a very old Mr. Riley; and a gag reel.
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• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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