Continuing the television theme from this week’s poll, here’s a rundown of some classic television shows that are currently on sale. These TV treasures offer up “the top from the tube for every generation.” Take a look:
I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season
All 35 episodes from season one─including the pilot, “Lucy Plays Cupid,” “The Fur Coat,” “Lucy Does a TV Commercial,” and “Ricky Asks for a Raise”─are collected in a six-disc set.
The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series
“You’re traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s the signpost up ahead–your next stop, The Twilight Zone.” Submitted for your approval, Rod Serling’s timeless series of fantasy and suspense, which ran from 1959-1964, with a roster of then-current and future stars that included Burgess Meredith, William Shatner, Gig Young, Lee Marvin, Inger Stevens, and Jack Klugman. All 156 episodes of the visionary television series are included in this 25-disc set.
The Rat Patrol: The Complete Series
This ABC WWII series ran from 1966-68 and followed the exploits of four jeep-riding soldiers–Americans Sam Troy (Christopher George), Mark Hitchcock (Lawrence Casey) and Tully Pettigrew (Justin Tarr) and Britisher Jack Moffitt (Gary Raymond)–battling General Rommel’s Afrika Korps in the North African desert. Hans Gudegast (later soap star Eric Braeden) played arch-nemesis Capt. Hans Dietrich. All 58 episodes from the series are included in this seven-disc set.
Thunderbirds: The Complete Series
All systems are go for high-flying Supermarionation action with the Thunderbirds International Rescue team in this 1965-1966 kidvid fave from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. Whether on land, in the sky, or under the sea─when the call goes out for help, Jeff Tracy, his daredevil sons, and their allies and fabulous vehicles are ready to keep the world of 2065 safe! Stars the voices of Peter Dyneley, Shane Rimmer, Christine Finn, and co-creator Sylvia Anderson as Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward. All 32 episodes of the high-flying series are collected on eight discs.
Van Dyke & Company: The Complete Series
TV’s Favorite Funny Man Returns with Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, & Other Comic Greats! Following his legendary success in situation comedy, Emmy-winning icon Dick Van Dyke headlined his own variety show in 1975-76 on NBC-TV. Now available for the first time since they were originally broadcast, these hilarious hours showcase the many wonderful talents of this legend, who can sing, dance and bring laughter to audiences of all ages. This complete series collection of features series regular Andy Kaufman (Taxi), Bob Einstein (aka Super Dave Osbourne and also known from Curb Your Enthusiasm) and an illustrious list of guest performers such as Lucille Ball, Chevy Chase, Carol Burnett, Flip Wilson, Harvey Korman, Tommy Smothers, Hal Linden, Freddie Prinze, John Byner and Gabe Kaplan, in addition to Dick’s old co-stars Mary Tyler Moore and Carl Reiner. Musical guests include Ike & Tina Turner, John Denver, K.C. & the Sunshine Band, Sha Na Na, the Spinners, Bobbie Gentry, the Sylvers, Donna Fargo and Lola Falana. Bonus features: Dick and brother Jerry Van Dyke from the 1967 Dick Van Dyke Monsanto Special and a pair of 1965 Let’s Talk to Lucy radio shows where Lucille Ball interviews Dick Van Dyke!
Police Squad! The Complete Series
Creators Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker spoofed the TV cop drama genre with this short-lived 1982 CBS series that would serve as the backdrop for their popular “Naked Gun” films. Watch as bumbling, deadpan detective Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) battles bad guys amidst a host of hilarious sight gags and over-the-top humor. With Alan North, Peter Lupus, Ed Williams, William Duell, and Rex Hamilton as Abraham Lincoln. All six episodes from the series are featured on this disc.
Joanie Loves Chachi: The Complete Series
Airing for two short seasons from 1982-83, this “Happy Days” spin-off followed young couple Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran) and Chachi Arcola (Scott Baio) as they left Milwaukee and moved to Chicago, where they formed a rock band and tried to get their music career off the ground. With Ellen Travolta, Art Metrano, and Al Molinaro, who reprised his “Happy Days” role as Al Delvecchio, now Chachi’s stepdad.
Twin Peaks: Definitive Gold Box Collection
In David Lynch’s controversial, groundbreaking 1990-91 drama series, the murder of a teenage girl in the seemingly tranquil Washington logging town of Twin Peaks draws the residents, and an FBI agent summoned to investigate the crime, into a series of sinister, secretive and surreal goings-on. Kyle MacLachlan, Lara Flynn Boyle, Joan Chen, Sherilyn Fenn, Piper Laurie, Peggy Lipton, Jack Nance, and Michael Ontkean star. All 29 episodes of the first two seasons — plus two versions of the pilot — are included in this 10-disc set.
Former comic book artist Bob McKay (Bob Newhart) gets a chance to revive Mad-Dog, a superhero he created back in the ’50s, when a communications conglomerate buys the rights to the character. But Bob must make some reluctant compromises when he learns the company wants to turn Mad-Dog into a hard-edged vigilante. Carlene Watkins, Cynthia Stevenson, John Cygan, Lisa Kudrow, and Betty White also starred in this 1992-93 sitcom. All 33 episodes are included in a four-disc set.
They’re not psychics, but the dead speak to them. Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger), Nick Stokes (George Eads), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan), and Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) are among the forensics experts of the Las Vegas Police Department’s CSI unit headed by Gil Grissom (William Petersen)–later D.B. Russell (Ted Danson)–who use high-tech science and old-fashioned detective work to solve Sin City’s most baffling and violent crimes, in this popular and influential 2000-2015 CBS drama. This 93-disc set includes all 337 episodes of the series.
Bones: The Complete First Season
All 22 episodes from the debut season—including “Pilot,” “The Man in the Bear,” “A Boy in a Bush,” “The Superhero in the Alley,” “The Skull in the Desert,” and “The Woman in Limbo”—are featured in a six-disc set.
Having achieved a medical degree through his extraordinary recall and observational skills, young autistic savant Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) embarked upon his surgical residency at a major San Jose Hospital. His dealings with supporters and skeptics amongst colleagues and administration, as well as grateful patients, fuel this popular ABC doctor drama based on a South Korean series. Nicholas Gonzalez, Antonia Thomas, Beau Garrett, Tamlyn Tomita, Hill Harper, and Richard Schiff also star. All 18 episodes from the debut season are featured in this collection.
What TV treasures featured here have caught your eye?