Ahhh, Autumn. The smell of dying leaves. The sound of crying children shuffling back to school. TV Guides annual Fall Preview issue kicking ass all over newsstands. Its the most wonderful time of the year. Aside from Christmas. And my birthday. And any time I spend with my goddaughter Maddy, who is the most awesomest kid on the planet ever. Still, its pretty bangin around now and with over 100 shows launching, plus oodles of old ones coming back, I figured its a good time to look at some recent releases that should help you get up to speed before the new season runs you down.

Smallville: The Complete Seventh Season " Come on, Supergirl, the Justice League and a finale that sends off Lex Luthor in a Fortess of Solitude spectacle? From start to finish, easily the dramas strongest season to date. And dont write-off the extras. Theres a classic round-table powwow with four of the fellas whove played Jimmy Olson that you need to see.
Buy Smallville on Amazon.com


Eli Stone: The Complete First Season " One of last years best mid-season shows demands reviewing, if only for the primo musical numbers and Jonny Lee Millers top-notch performance as a lawyer with real vision. And the scene where Elis doctor brother explains his grave medical condition? Just writing about it gets me all throat-lumpy. Added bonus: Extended pilot episode!
Buy Eli Stone on Amazon.com


Heroes Season 2 " Say what you will about last seasons not-so-great run, but the writers strike may have done us all a favor by giving the show time to think up new stories for year 3. Until that one kicks off, go back and check out the sets alternate ending. Turns out things would have really sucked if Peter hadnt caught that vial of mankind-killing virus.
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Criminal Minds: The Complete 3rd Season " Another show that was shortened by the writers strike, this one at least made the most of its junior year by jettisoning creepy Mandy Patinkin and giving us the long-overdue TV return of Joe Mantegna as the Behavioral Analysis Units new honcho. Dude is just cool.
Buy Criminal Minds on Amazon.com


Supernatural: The Complete 3rd Season " All year long, Im wondering how Dean is gonna save Sams doomed soul, only to see that some deals with the Devil aint so easy to break. Getting to this realization, however, is totally worth the trip, since they also throw in a gag reel, a digital copy so I can keep my iPhone freaked out, and a look at some of the Winchesters favorite episodes. Oh, and yeah, one Hell of a finale.
Buy Supernatural on Amazon.com


Ugly Betty: The Complete Second Season " You havent lived until you see Becki Newton and Michael Urie tour the offices of Mode in On Set with the Besties. Mark my words, youll pee. Also, the season packs more heart during the second half, leading up to the who-will-Betty-pick finale. (Go for Gio, girl!)
Buy Ugly Betty on Amazon.com


Dirty Sexy Money: The Complete 1st Season " Best thing about the Exposed Edition iseverything. This was one of last years greatest new shows and the fact that ABC renewed it makes me smile all day long. Peter Krause as a lawyer to the sicko rich Darlings of Manhattan is just the start of the joy. Theres also Natalie Zea as his obviously medicated and oft-married ex, Donald Sutherland devouring every scene hes incripes, I could go on. Instead, I say go and get a copy for yourself. Its the shizznit, yo.
Buy Dirty Sexy Money on Amazon.com


The Big Bang Theory: the Complete First Season " Anyone who thinks How I Met Your Mother is the only good comedy on CBS needs to see this hoot starring Jim Parson and Johnny Galecki as science nerds trying to impress their blondetastic neighbor. Sorry, gays, but Parsons and Galecki are the smartest same-sex duo on TV
Buy The Big Bang Theory on Amazon.com


OK, so theres tons more to catch up on, so Ill try to get to them next week. Until then, why dont you tell me which shows youre most excited to have on DVD these days? I cant be the only one whos into these returning favorites, right? "Damian Holbrook
TVGuide Links:

• Smallville
• Criminal Minds
• Supernatural
• Ugly Betty
• Heroes
• Dirty Sexy Money
• Eli Stone
• The Big Bang Theory