TV on DVD - The Best of 2007

Ho, ho, ho boy -- TV box sets are coming at us in sleighfuls this holiday season. We guide you though 25 must-see collections, plus five current series sets worth your shelf space. We suss out which are required viewing and which give you the most bang for your buck. Read now, thank us later.

-- By Kimberly Potts

More Holiday TV

• Holiday TV Central
• Holiday Cartoon Classics
• Holiday TV Gift Guide for the Ultimate TV Fan

1. My So-Called Life: The Complete Series

Why Buy? It's the mother of teen angst drama. Welcome to Three Rivers, PA, bitch.
Extras: A 36-page book, audio commentaries, a Q+A with Claire Danes and liner notes from fans like Joss Whedon. ($69.99)Buy the DVD

2. Planet Earth: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Al Gore got us thinking about saving our planet, but this amazinglly shot nature series reminds us what's at stake.
Extras: Behind-the-scenes footage and a video on the future of the endangered animals and locales featured in the series. ($79.98) Buy the DVD

3. Seinfeld: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Sure, it's on TV, like, 20 times a day -- but having it on DVD makes you master of your domain (i.e., you can watch your fave ep as many times as you want).
Extras: The exclusive, 226-page 'Official Coffee Table Book' and a cast reunion chat, including Larry David. ($283.95) Buy the DVD

4. Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box Edition (The Complete Series)

Why Buy? If you were a fan when David Lynch's quirky TV drama originally ran, you've probably had a hankering for coffee and cherry pie for years. Now you can indulge.
Extras: U.S. and international versions of the pilot, deleted scenes and the Log Lady intros. ($99.99) Buy the DVD

5. Gilmore Girls: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Oh, Lorelai and Rory -- we miss you at your wittiest (so, not so much the last season)and can't wait to fall in love with Star's Hollow all over again.
Extras: A Gilmore-isms guide and nifty packaging that resembles a Barbie case. ($258.82) Buy the DVD

6. Heeere's Johnny - The Definitive DVD Collection from The Tonight Show

Why Buy? He was the man millions invited into their bedrooms each night for some 30 years. Now you can see him anytime, day or night. Like that? We thought you would.
Extras: A cool box that opens like Carson's monologue stage. ($99.99) Buy the DVD

7. Roots: The Complete Collection

Why Buy? The 1977 miniseries was the real thing, TV programming that brought a nation together and sparked discussion on the not-long-past days of horrifying racial injustice.
Extras: New featurettes, a Q+A with Alex Haley and David Frost and the 1988 'Roots' holiday movie. ($119.98) Buy the DVD

8. Star Trek: The Next Generation Complete Series

Why Buy? In a franchise that has lived long and prospered, 'TNG' stands out as the longest-running incarnation. Even Captain Kirk would have to concede Picard's victory there.
Extras: Each season has bonus features, and there's a whole disc of extras, including 20th-anniversary documentaries. ($455.95) Buy the DVD

9. Stargate SG-1: The Complete Series Collection

Why Buy? This collection, covering all 10 seasons of the ultra-popular sci-fi classic, separates the superfan from the dilettante. (Dilettantes can just watch the 1994 movie.)
Extras: Four discs' worth, including Q+As, and features on 'SG-1' fan conventions. ($329.98) Buy the DVD

10. MacGyver: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Even in its heyday, it was camp classic, but now his name's a verb, Selma and Patty kidnapped him on 'The Simpsons' and 'SNL' parodies him. MacGyver (did he have a first name?) is our hero.
Extras: None, but you might learn how to hotwire a car with a paper clip. ($170.99) Buy the DVD

11. I Love Lucy: The Complete Series

Why Buy? 'TV Guide' named it the second-greatest TV show of all time, and Entertainment Weekly put her in the top 10 of greatest TV icons. Who are you (or we) to argue with that?
Extras: Digitally restored first season episodes, film of Lucille Ball at the 1954 Emmys and the 1953 'Lucy' movie. ($241.98) Buy the DVD

12. Benny Hill: The Complete Megaset

Why Buy? The 18-disc set includes all 58 episodes of the randy sketch series, which never aired in full-length versions in the U.S. And one can never get too much of an old British guy chasing hot, scantily clad babes in fast-motion, can one?
Extras: A trivia quiz, a 'Biography' ep and a feature on Hill's Angels (the previously mentioned hot, scantily clad babes). ($149.95) Buy the DVD

13. Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Remember how the Barones of Long Island made dysfunction hilarious, without getting into the 'Married With Children' over-the-topness (mostly)? Now here's nine seasons of familial (and familiar) discord.
Extras: A gag reel, bonus scenes and a finale script, housed in a house-shaped box. ($279.98) Buy the DVD

14. Full House: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Uncle Jesse's mullet reminds us that we'd forgive John Stamos anything, and isn't it refreshing to see the Olsens as their cute little-girl selves? You can almost forget the alien-esque money-making machines they've become. Almost.
Extras: The packaging, a replication of the Tanners' San Fran Victorian home. ($169.98) Buy the DVD

15. The O.C.: The Complete Series Collection

Why Buy? Duh -- it's only, like, the most perfect Chrismukkah gift ever. And it's the gift that keeps on giving ... the enjoyment of reliving the soap operatics of those four pampered pals.
Extras: Deleted scenes, commentaries, eight featurettes and gag reels, all packaged as a hardback 'O.C.' book with a lenticular cover. ($179.98) Buy the DVD

16. Family Guy Freakin' Party Pack

Why Buy? It includes the first five seasons and the Stewie Griffin movie. And since this show was literally revived from the dead because of fanatical fans, you must know someone who's a 'Guy' lover.
Extras: And how. The themed carrying trunk includes 'FG'-themed poker chips and Ping Pong set, plus the original series pilot pitch. ($149.98) Buy the DVD

17. The X-Files: The Ultimate Collection

Why Buy? The truth is out there, of course, but now you can bring it home -- with all nine TV seasons and the 1998 theatrical movie (refreshers before the 2008 big-screen sequel).
Extras: Deleted scenes, cast interviews and Threads of the Mythology features (and, thankfully, NOT 'The Lone Gunmen'). ($329.98) Buy the DVD

18. Addams Family: The Complete Series

Why Buy? They're creepy and they're kookie, they're altogether ookie, and still family-friendly funny after all these years.
Extras: Theme song karaoke (admit it, you're singing it in your head right now), a guest star "séance" and commentaries by Cousin Itt and Thing. ($69.98) Buy the DVD

19. Miami Vice: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Hip, slick and action-packed, this police drama reminds us why we heart the '80s. Tubbs and Crockett make pastels seem cool, and it's fun to look for the future A-list amongst guest stars (Julia Roberts, for one).
Extras: Features on the show's iconic music and style. ($199.98) Buy the DVD

20. Northern Exposure: The Complete Series

Why Buy? Before there were 'Men in Trees,' this endearing small-town drama made Alaska a hot property. And before he was 'SATC' boy toy Aidan, John Corbett won us over as an easygoing small-plane pilot.
Extras: Outtakes, deleted scenes and cool faux suede messenger bag packaging. ($199.98) Buy the DVD

21. Chappelle's Show: The Series Collection

Why Buy? Sadly, the entire series is just two full seasons, plus the infamously abbreviated season three. Dave left us high and dry, man. But let's remember the good times.
Extras: Deleted scenes, Chappelle stand-up and the entire Rick James interview. ($49.99) Buy the DVD

22. Wonder Woman: The Complete Collection

Why Buy? Take that, 'Alias' and 'Buffy' -- Lynda Carter was kickin' comic book butt in three seasons of campy drama before you were born. We pity the actress who'll have to live up to her excellence in the patriotic one-piece in the upcoming 'Justice League' movie.
Extras: A series retrospective and a featurette on WW as "ultimate feminist icon." ($114.82) Buy the DVD

23. Brady Bunch: The Complete Series

Why Buy? You, too, can have a very Brady Christmas. If only you had a live-in housekeeper and kids who got along so well that three could share a room with nary a squabble. The '70s were awesome.
Extras: A whole disc with eps of the 'Brady Kids' cartoon and the 'Very Brady Christmas' movie, all housed in a green, shag-carpeted box. ($129.99) Buy the DVD

24. The Man From U.N.C.L.E.: The Complete Collection

Why Buy? Robert Vaughn was the 'Man' in this '60s spy action series that's just been authorized for release for the first time. And if that weren't exclusive enough -- the set is available only at TimeLife.com until fall 2008.
Extras: Home movies from the set, cast Q+As and clever attaché case packaging. ($249.95) Buy the DVD

25. Lost - The Complete 3rd Season

Why Buy? Scan for clues about who was in the coffin when future Jack visited the funeral home by replaying it over and over, in super slo-mo. You can totally do that with your own DVD set.
Extras: Features on the Others, the castaways' pasts and a 24-hour cycle of the show's production. ($59.99) Buy the DVD

Been itching to catch up with one of the buzz-making TV shows from the last year? From '30 Rock' to 'Ugly Betty,' check out these season one TV-on-DVD box sets, which just might help you find your new favorite show.

1. 30 Rock: Season One

Why Buy? The Emmys did not make a mistake, this is the best comedy out there -- and Alec Baldwin just may be the funniest actor on the tube. Watch it on DVD, then tune into season two before it gets canned from lack of viewers (you'd feel so guilty if that happened).
Extras: Loads, including cast commentary, bloopers and a hilarious set of mini episodes starring Kenneth the page. ($49.98) Buy the DVD

2. Friday Night Lights: The First Season

Why Buy? It doesn't matter if you're a football fan -- the gridiron action is incidental in this beautifully rendered drama. This is hands-down the best show people aren't watching. Sit down with the first season, and tell us we're wrong.
Extras: Deleted scenes and a 'Behind the Lights' featurette. ($29.98) Buy the DVD

3. Heroes: Season One

Why Buy? Because you need to watch the eps multiple times to catch all the nuances. And that does not make you a geek. We promise. Oh, except you with the Sylar brows glued on. You definitely are.
Extras: 50 deleted scenes, cast commentaries and clips on the artwork and special effects. ($59.98) Buy the DVD

4. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Seasons 1 & 2

Why Buy? If you're a fan, you know. But if you're not, let's just say it's 'Seinfeld' on crack, featuring a filthy Danny DeVito and the most un-PC comedy since 'South Park.'
Extras: Deleted scenes, cast commentary and a 'The Gang F*#!s Up' blooper reel. ($39.98) Buy the DVD

5. Ugly Betty: The Complete First Season

Why Buy? America Ferrera perfectly embodies the sweet underdog we all root for. Because really, isn't there a little ugly Betty in all of us? And isn't it liberating to fly your ugly Betty flag, even if it's just in the privacy of your living room?
Extras: Features on casting breakout America Ferrera and the show's set designs. ($59.99) Buy the DVD