IT'S NEW RELEASE TUESDAY! HELLO DR. 'MINDY' LAHIRI, GOOD-BYE KEATON 'FAMILY'

It's yet another New Release Tuesday and we have quite a number of picks this week from the TV-on-DVD aisle. As summer starts to wind down and networks prepare for the upcoming fall season, many releases from last TV season are hitting the shelves. It's a good chance to play catch-up on your favorite shows.

Comedy Pick-of-the-Week

The Mindy Project - The First Season

Mindy Kaling's freshman comedy hits the shelves today and we can't wait to pick up our copy. In fact, our copy is actually in a delivery truck right now and will be in our hands COB today. The Mindy Project had a rough start in its debut season. There were several modifications and retooling in the storylines and characters of the show. Some cast departures were necessary to introduce more interesting characters (Paging Morgan Tookers!). Ike Barinholtz's integration into the cast (and writing talent as well) brought much needed comedy relief in what was a stuffy, flatlining office environment. As the season progressed with its changes, the dynamic and chemistry between Kaling and Chris Messina's characters became the center of the show and has triggered the often used "will they or won't they" storyline. Get caught up before the second season premieres on FOX.

Blu-ray Pick-of-the-Week

Once Upon a Time - The Second Season

Once Upon a Time's second season makes its way to DVD/Blu-ray this week and picks up right where the first season ended. The integration of magic in the world of Storybrooke as well as the revelation of survivors in Fairytale land drove the majority of the sophmore season's storyline. Though there were a few missteps, Once kept the interest and fantasy going with its new characters and revival of the eternal fairy tale feud between good and evil.

Retro Comedy Pick-of-the-Week

Family Ties - The Seventh and Final Season

The Keaton clan's seventh and final season is finally released on DVD today. As the children continue to grow up and encounter various social situations, the parents confront their own fears of growing older and mortality (Steven's heart attack and surgery in a gut-wrenching three-parter change the Keatons forever). The series finale sees Alex P. Keaton realize his goals and obtain his dream job in New York, and the reactions and emotions in the household are exactly why it was ranked #24 in TV's Most Unforgettable Finales.

Retro Drama Pick-of-the-Week

Eight is Enough - The Fourth Season

Exclusively released through Warner Archive's manufacture-on-demand (MOD) site, the fourth season of the family drama continues the trials and adventures of the large Bradford family. The show welcomes the '80s with many changes in the household including several engagements, pregnancy, confronting death, and reconciling estranged relationships. Patriarch Tom Bradford continues balancing his work as a newspaper columnist with his ever-bubbling home life, and coming to terms with his maturing children. Eight is Enough was good, clean fun and worth a trip down memory lane...even for just an episode or two.

Cancelled Too Soon Pick-of-the-Week

Southland - The Fifth and Final Season

The fifth and final season of TNT's critically-acclaimed, gritty police drama follows the lives of several LAPD officers. The challenges associated with the job and piecing together the various crimes were the norm, and the second half of the season was dedicated to a major storyline focusing on Cooper that ended with a shocking bang. Unfortunately for viewers, the cliffhanger would remain unresolved due to the show's abrupt cancellation.

We Still Don't Get It Pick-of-the-Week

Girls - The Second Season

HBO's hyper-sexual dramedy releases its second season on DVD/Blu-ray. We still don't see the appeal of Lena Dunham or Girls, but the show has found a loyal audience and the network continues to hedge its bets.


Well that about wraps up our New Release Tuesday picks. What releases are you looking forward to this week? Share with us and comment below.

Don't forget to tune in next week for another selection of newly released TV-on-DVD, and keep it locked to Stay Tuned for future updates on anything and everything television.

SATURDAY MORNING SERIAL: I PITY THE FOOL 'MISTER T'

If you grew up in the 1980s then more than likely you remember the action series The A-Team, and in particular its big, bad star Mr. T. Well did you know that Mr. T had his own action cartoon on Saturday mornings?

From 1983 to 1986 Mister T was on NBC's Saturday morning cartoon line-up. In the toon, Mr. T coaches a gymnastics team that travels the world and, apparently, solve mysteries during the down time. Who doesn't like to solve mysteries in their spare time? Well we've provided an episode of the show for our Saturday Morning Serial.

The first season of Mister T is available through the Warner Archive Collection, the made-to-order library from Warner Bros. Though 13 of the 30 episodes are only included in this set, it hits the spot for any Mister T fan. You can purchase the set by clicking on the following link: Mister T: The Complete First Season (Animated Series) | Shop.WarnerArchive.com

Keep the channel locked to Stay Tuned for future updates on anything and everything television!

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY!

New Release Tuesday for July 16, 2013 is jam packed! The shelves are stocked today with a ton of TV-on-DVD releases and Stay Tuned is highlighting those shows that deserve a second look and maybe even a purchase.

Sci-Fi Pick of the Week

Alphas - Season 2

Syfy's science-fiction drama about a group of individuals with superhuman abilities see its second season released on DVD this week. Alphas slowly gained a following thanks in part to its well written storyline and characterization but it wasn't enough to prevent its cancellation earlier this year. This final season ends with an unresolved cliffhanger that will leave many in a lurch.

Superhero Pick of the Week

The Adventures of Superboy - Season 3

After spending years tied up in legal battles, the Superboy series is finally being released through Warner Archive Collection's made-to-order website. WAC has released some excellent TV shows in recent years and even though the episodes are not remastered, the studio has listened to fans' calls and produced season sets. The third season of Superboy was full of dramatic changes. Aside from the title change, the tone and storylines of the series were much darker than the light-hearted and even campy episodes from the shows' previous seasons. This season also features the alternate version of Superboy, a storyline familiar to comic book fans. Superman and, in general, comic book fans will want to scoop up this set. Check out Warner Archive's website (Warner Archive Collection)

Thriller Pick of the Week

Damages - Season 5

The fifth and final season of the FX legal thriller drama wraps up its usual case-of-the-season and featured guest star (this season, Ryan Phillippe). As the show winds down to its end, the tense rivalry that has brewed between Patty and Ellen for almost the entire run of the series finally comes to a shocking end.

Kid (or Kid-at-Heart) Pick of the Week

Hey Dude - Season 5

The fifth and final season of Hey Dude is released today exclusively through Shout! Factory's Shout Select line (Shout! Factory). Nickelodeon's original series continues the adventures at the Bar None Dude Ranch in this final season and ends with the gang trailing off into the sunset. Check out Stay Tuned's previous Throwback Thursday post on the history of Hey Dude (Stay Tuned's TBT - Hey Dude).

Comedy Pick of the Week

George Lopez - Season 3

The long-awaited release of the third season of George Lopez's comedy show has finally arrived! After three years since the release of the second season, this latest installment picks up where it left off following the lives of the dysfunctional Lopez family. George Lopez was an instant success on ABC and was one of the few shows to feature an all-Latino cast. Good to see Warner Bros. decided to allow this release.

Sleeper Pick of the Week

Hell on Wheels - Season 2

AMC's western drama revolving around the post-Civil War world sees its second season released on DVD. The season continued to focus on Cullen Bohannon as he forges west during the expansion of the Union Pacific Railroad. Hell on Wheels has become a tucked little gem of a show with a loyal following of post-Civil War buffs.

What releases interest you? What would you pick up today, if possible? Share with us below and remember to Stay Tuned for more random bits of everything television.

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY!

New Release Tuesday for July 9, 2013 is full of classic and current television shows so let's dive into the TV-on-DVD bin and showcase our picks and suggestions.

Classic TV-on-DVD Pick of the Week

Bonanza - Season 6

Bonanza was an American western drama that remained on the airwaves for 14 seasons. The show followed the adventures of the Cartwright family on their spacious ranch, the Ponderosa. Unlike other western shows of the time, Bonanza spent less attention on the specifics of ranching and working on the range, and focused more on the family dynamics of Ben Cartwright and his three sons (from three different mamas, mind you). The show was a worldwide success and reached its peak during the sixth season when the show finished #1 in the ratings. The show would remain in the #1 spot for several more years during its long run. If old western dramas are your thing, or you just have to watch younger versions of Lorne Greene and Michael Landon on the small screen then pick up a copy of this sixth season today.

Campy TV-on-DVD Pick of the Week

Dynasty - Season 7

Greed, money, power -- those are all words that described the excessive '80s and the show that defined that decade, Dynasty. Over-the-top storylines, Aqua Net-styled hairdos, and huge shoulder pads pretty much sums up this soap opera drama. The seventh season incorporated many changes to the creative canvas, mostly in response to declining viewership and ratings. The repercussions of a hotel blaze opens the season and it ends with a wedding party taken hostage by a presumed dead enemy of the Carringtons. Other highlights of the season include a powerful foreclosure, an oil rig explosion, fake deaths, memory loss, rekindled romances, a heart transplant, and many arrivals and departures from the revolving casting department. Oh and the usual bitch slaps and catfights are very much included. Take a look from this video.

Retro Mini-Series Pick of the Week

How the West Was Won - Season 1

Loosely based on the 1962 film of the same name, How the West Was Won is a western series that began originally as a pilot movie then followed up with a mini-series. It ultimately was picked up for a 13-episode first season and remained on the air for three years. Since its premise was based on the movie and subsequent mini-series, Stay Tuned has included it as our Retro Pick of the Week. The story is about the Macahan family escaping to Oregon at the commencement of the Civil War in order to prevent the sons from being drafted by the Union Army. It is a timeless classic and will certainly appeal not only to western genre fans but also to Civil War buffs.

Sleeper Picks of the Week

This week we have two sleeper picks because we just couldn't choose one over the other. They are both excellent shows and deserve equal amounts of exposure.

Portlandia - Season 3

This sketch comedy series, created by and starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, basically has no storyline since its premise is mostly to focus on the satirical aspects of the communities living in Portland, Oregon. Armisen and Brownstein play an array of different characters and despite its low budget and production values, there are frequent guest and cameo appearances by musicians, film and television stars. Portlandia is hit-or-miss and its audience either loves it or hates it. But if you love funny and satire, poking fun at community quirkiness, and Fred Armisen's humor then you definitely need to check out this show.

Warehouse 13 - Season 4

Warehouse 13's fourth and penultimate season continues the story of two U.S. Secret Service Agents assigned to protect mysterious and potential harmful artifacts in the secretive Warehouse 13. The season begins with the aftermath of the warehouse's destruction and the adventures continue as Pete and Myka continuing tracking down missing artifacts and preventing them from being possessed in the wrong heads. The season culminates to a finale with the agents trailing Paracelsus, the villian du season played brilliantly by Anthony Head (recognized primarily for his role as Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or the old school Taster's Choice commercials). Warehouse 13 is one of Stay Tuned's favorite gems and we have guarantee you will enjoy this sci-fi serial. If you want an inside view of the set and shenanigans then be sure to check out Eddie McClintock's Twitter page (@EddieMcClintock) for neat pics and posts.

Update:

Sci-Fi Pick of the Week

Time Trax - Season 2

Stay Tuned just learned about this release today and we couldn't be more thrilled. Part of the reason is that we are huge fans of syndicated television shows that filled the airwaves back in the 1990s. Syndicated serials were in boom during the '90s, some memorable and others down right forgettable (until we bring them up, right?). Time Trax was one of the shows that ran down the middle. This science fiction show followed police officer Darien Lambert as he tracked down convicted criminals who have escaped prison. What made Time Trax unique is that Lambert's present day was 2193 and he had to time travel back to 1993 and capture the fugitives who escaped prison in the future. Using a time machine called TRAX, Lambert wasn't allowed to return home until all the criminals were captured. Didn't that happen on Quantum Leap? Does the premise kind of sound familiar? Well FOX recently attempted the same kind of show with Alcatraz, which only lasted one season. Syndicated show buffs will enjoy this gem from the vault.

Note: The manufacture-to-order (MOD) DVD set is currently only available on Warner's Archive Collection website (Time Trax - Warner Archive Collection). There have been many negative reviews of the MOD-produced discs available through Warner Archive but Stay Tuned has obtained many television shows from the website and have encountered zero problems. Yes the downside is that these shows haven't been remastered but at least they are available. We have enjoyed seasons of Alice, Night Court, Superboy, and Falcon Crest thanks to this program, and Stay Tuned will have a future post regarding WAC's MOD library.

So what releases are you looking forward to this week?

Before we sign off, here's a little treat for you Anthony Head fans. Enjoy!