What’s New? TV Show DVD Releases for March 24, 2009

Another week and another wave of new DVD releases hit the shelves. So, what can we look forward to for our viewing pleasure? Here’s a brief rundown on the new releases set to hit the shelves today.

Andy Richter Controls the Universe: The Complete Series — Relive this “brilliant but cancelled” sitcom set in the offices of Pickering Industries and featuring the adventures of technical writer, Andy (Andy Richter) and his colleagues, Jessica (Paget Brewster), Byron (Johnathan Slavin), Keith (James Patrick Stuart) and Wendy (Irene Molloy). Follow Andy’s mind as it plays out alternative and often hilarious versions of Andy’s narration before settling on the truth, and his occasional conversations with the long dead company founder, Mr Pickering (John Bliss), who often pops up to heckle the hapless writer. This complete series release contains three discs with all 19 episodes, and audio commentary.

Banged Up Abroad: Locked Up Abroad — The true story plights of people who have found themselves stranded miles from home, on foreign soil and in situations far beyond their wildest nightmares. From those who have fallen on the wrong side of local law enforcement to those having being held hostage, this four disc series is made up of 12 episodes of travel terror that will make you think twice about that foreign vacation!

Charles in Charge: Season Four — This is an Amazon exclusive release and features Scott Baio as Charles, a college student who works as nanny to the Powell children. Follow Charles’ adventures with the Powell family, along with his friend, Buddy Lembeck (Willie Aames) and his Elvis-obsessed mother (Ellen Travolta) in this complete season four collection which spans six discs and features all 26 episodes.

The Clone Wars, Volume 1: A Galaxy Divided — This return to the Star Wars galaxy takes place immediately after the events of the Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones feature film and follows the adventures of Obi Wan Kenobi and his padawan, Anakin Skywalker, as they battle the forces of the evil Empire. There’s a chance to see old favourite characters as well as meet some new ones like Ahsoka Tano, a young female Jedi.

The Very Best of Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan — Milan is the Dog Whisperer; a man with the ability to help problem canines of any breed, shape or size — making him America’s foremost dog behavioural expert. This ‘Best Of’ collection features Milan’s most difficult challenges and greatest successes on a single two-hour disc.

In Treatment: Season One — This complete season collection spans nine discs and features all 43 episodes. This medical drama series is set within the confines of the individual therapy sessions of five sets of patients. Gabriel Byrne plays Paul, a psychotherapist who is ravaged by insecurities, while displaying an insightful, calm and confident demeanour to his patients. Join Paul as he gets to the root of his patients’ troubles, while struggling to find the cause of his own.

The Life and Times of Tim: The Complete First Season — Following in the footsteps of cult adult animation series, South Park and American Dad, this new series from HBO features the adventures of Tim. He’s a normal, everyday guy who has the misfortune of becoming embroiled in a series of unfortunate encounters. All 10 episodes are includes in this hilarious release.

Midsomer Murders: Set 12 — Join Detective Chief Inspector Tom Parnaby (John Nettles) and his cohort DC Ben Jones (Jason Hughes) as they investigate more sinister happenings in the apparently idyllic Midsomer County. This box set features four mysteries, spread across four discs and includes a behind-the-scenes featurette of the 50th episode of this contemporary British TV crime drama.

The Riches: Season Two — Dark humour and gripping family drama collide with intricately woven plot twists in this, the second and final season of The Riches. In this cancelled-too-soon series, a nomadic con artist husband-and-wife team pose as the Malloys, an affluent suburban family who, while living out the ‘American Dream’ face losing sight of who they really are. As their deception is threatened by discovery, Dahlia (Minnie Driver) takes the children on the road, leaving Wayne (Eddie Izzard) behind to devise a last, impossible ruse. This two disc DVD features all seven episodes of this highly original and addictive thriller series.

Room 222: Season One — It’s been almost forty years since it first debuted on network television. Room 222 finally arrives on DVD and this complete collection of the first season forms a compelling series telling of life at a multiracial high school in Los Angeles, California. Combining comedy and drama elements, Pete Dixon (Lloyd Haynes) plays a dedicated and popular African-American history teacher who tries his best to convey his own idealisms and wisdom to his students. This season one release spans 26 episodes over four discs.

Runaway: The Complete Series — A gripping series from Darren Star (Sex and the City, Beverly Hills 90210) and features the story of an ordinary American family whose father becomes wrongfully accused of murder. Living their lives as fugitives, Paul Rader (Donnie Wahlberg) is forced to uproot his family and go on the run. They constantly change their identities in order to escape both the authorities and the real killer, while trying to clear Paul’s name at the same time. This complete series of Runaway includes all seven episodes of the drama series spread over a pair of discs.

The Venture Bros.: Season Three — This animated television series follows the adventures of Hank and Dean Venture, two well-meaning but dopey teenagers, their super-scientist father, Dr Thaddeus ‘Rusty’ Venture, and muscle-bound family bodyguard/secret agent Brock Sampson. This hilarious animated season of 13 episodes comes on two discs. Season three is also being released simultaneously on Blu-ray which includes additional features like deleted scenes, commentary and an exclusive season three musical score CD.

Voltron: Defender of the Universe: Collection 7, Land Team (Vehicle Force) — The futuristic tale of Voltron, a gigantic robot belonging to the Galaxy Alliance. With a mission to explore the universe, help those in trouble, and to fight the dark forces of evil, this collection of tales follows the adventures of Land Team. The group finds themselves embroiled in a civil war they don’t understand and come under fire from all sides as they fight to survive. Meanwhile, the evil Druel empire seeks to wage war on planet Earth and the Galaxy Alliance. Spanning 18 episodes over three discs, this Japanese anime classic also includes interviews and previews of Beast King GoLion and Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV.