As much as we love our trashy summer reality TV ("Big Brother" anyone?), what we really look forward to is catching up on our favorite shows on DVD. Sadly, though, some classic (and not-so) series aren't on DVD at all -- that's right, the complete runs of "7th Heaven" and "Saved By the Bell: The New Class" are available, but "The Wonder Years" isn't. Sure, we know that the delays are often due to Byzantine legal complications, but we don't care. We want the following on disc ASAP.
Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper's courtship will not be televised... at least not any time soon. Music rights seem to be the main problem as all those classic '60s tunes come at a high price. While we hate waiting, we'd rather they take their time negotiating with the powers that be than put it out with alternate tracks.
"Ed"
We miss Stuckeyville and the ten-dollar bets and the quirky folks at the bowling alley, but while rumors have been swirling forever that this charming series was due to come out any minute, there's still no release date. If it's a legal issue, could we hire Ed Stevens to help figure it out?
This well-acted high school drama (which offered a real, rare look at struggles of teachers and the teens) has apparently been suspended. We're hoping that someone has a heart and releases this David E. Kelley show because we adore Chi McBride. And any show that can make Jessalyn Gilsig not annoying deserves to be studied by today's producers.
Long before Jon and Kate had eight kids, Tom Bradford had a big brood. We hope if they ever do put this show out on DVD, they includ the pilot with Mark "Luke Skywalker" Hamill as the eldest son.
This show about army nurses during the Vietnam War was a touching, emotional and extremely gritty look at the world of war, with standout performances by Dana Delaney and Marg Helgenberger.
"L.A. Law"
More than a little bit outrageous, this legal series was filled with wild characters and unbelievable moments (it isn't every show that throws its villain down an elevator shaft, after all) and the lawyers spent almost as much time entangled in bedroom issues as they did in the courtroom.
We have to wonder if there's a force in the universe keeping us from David E. Kelley shows. Between "Boston Public," "L.A. Law" and the goofy legal comedy "Ally McBeal," we're a bit suspicious. Is it Kelley's fault? Does he hate money? Whatever the reason, we need to see some crazy dancing babies and inappropriate work attire stat.
A "Greatest American Hero" for teens, this series starred Jerry O'Connell as a geek who gained cool superpowers via a scientific accident. The budget wasn't the greatest, but it was a fun mix of sci-fi and comedy during the dark days before Hollywood realized comic books were cool.
Considering all the ridiculous '80s sitcoms available on DVD, we're honestly surprised this one isn't. Smart and genuinely touching, it starred Howard Hesseman as an unconventional teacher with a classroom full of geniuses. Some of the cast went on to become hugely successful TV producers in their own right, but we'd love to see them before they became bigshots.
"Webster"
We want this solely for the nostalgia factor. Emmanuel Lewis played an adorable kid who got adopted by an ex-NFL star and his snooty wife -- laughter and hugs ensued. We just wonder if that creepy doll in the secret room is still so bizarrely terrifying now, because it really freaked us out back then.
TALK ABOUT IT: Which classic show would you like to see on DVD?
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