What to Watch: Sept. 24-30, 2013 – TV Edition

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CHICAGO – There’s too much TV being released on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming services this time of year to watch it all. There literally aren’t enough hours in the day. So how do you work through it all, find what you want to watch, and set it aside for you valuable free time? What to Watch, once again this week split into two editions — one focusing on TV and the other on film. We’ll start with the boob tube one, which features a cult hit, two animated shows, a multiple Emmy winner, and one of CBS’s biggest comedies. In the order that we’d recommend you buy ‘em…

Doctor Who: The Complete Seventh Series
Photo credit: Warner Bros./BBC

“Doctor Who: The Complete Seventh Series”

“Doctor Who,” which airs on BBC America in the States, is such a massive, worldwide hit that it’s hard to quantify. It feels like my Facebook feed is more occupied with posts about the Doctor every day. T-shirts, toys, etc. — the cult of the Tardis grows constantly, even if some fans I know think this recent season was a bit inferior to the ones that came before. With a new Doctor on the way, this seventh series closes one chapter before fans prepare to open another. And it does so in typical style, full of great special features. The “Doctor Who” Blu-rays are among the best on the market with episode-specific featurettes on the whole season. They’re so great that they lead to a chicken or the egg discussion. Do they treat the fans so well because they’re so loyal to “Doctor Who” or are the fans so loyal to “Doctor Who” because they treat them so well?

From my TV review: “The massive hit (numbers for the show’s airings on BBC America keep rising every year) has lost none of its confidence, creativity, or, most importantly, personality. The show has such style, confidence, and sense of character that it’s easy to see why viewers have been so loyal to it for years.”

Special Features:
o 14 Behind The Scenes
o Doctor Who On “The Nerdist”
o The Science Of Doctor Who
o Doctor Who In The U.S.
o The Companions
o Doctor Who At Comic Con
o Prequels
o Commentaries
o Featurettes

Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes

South Park: The Complete Sixteenth Season
Photo credit: Paramount/Comedy Central

“South Park: The Complete Sixteenth Season”

Did anyone expect “South Park” to be this creatively vital this late into their run? The Comedy Central was often compared to “The Simpsons” in its first decade but the truth is that Matt Groening’s incredible program, which was arguably better in its prime, was inarguably not this good by the time it got to its 16th season. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, two of the smartest men in the history of television, animated or otherwise, still clearly love their creation, appearing in some commentary capacity on every single episode. It also helps the show to appear in uncensored form on Blu-ray, giving it even more edge than in its original airing.

Special Features:
o Mini-Commentaries By The Creators Of South Park, Trey Parker And Matt Stone, On All Episodes
o Deleted Scenes

Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes

Family Guy: Volume 11
Photo credit: Fox

“Family Guy: Volume 11”

And then there’s “Family Guy,” a show that hasn’t remained nearly as creative as “South Park.” Yes, Seth MacFarlane’s comedy still has some wonderful, laugh-out-loud moments, and the DVDs are filled with great special features that fans should embrace, but “Family Guy” simply isn’t what it once was. It’s a once-great show that’s now occasionally good. I’m happy fans are still being treated this well though.

Special Features:
o Commentary By Series Writers, Directors And Producers On Select Episodes
o Deleted Scenes
o Fishin’ Around With Ricky Gervais And Episode Audio Outtakes
o Ron MacFarlane Reads Viewer Mail
o Select Scene Animatics
o Looking Back To The Pilot

Where to Watch: DVD, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes

Modern Family: The Complete Fourth Season
Photo credit: Fox

“Modern Family: The Complete Fourth Season”

The four-time Emmy winner for Best Original Comedy has started to show serious signs of age but has a loyal, devoted following who really doesn’t care. Personally, I feel like the writers have run out of ideas, cycling through a lot of the same plotlines over and over again. The super-talented cast really elevates what is increasingly lackluster material. The ensemble is great. And they’ll keep the fan base connected to the show. For at least a few more years.

Special Features:
o A Day With Eric
o Commentaries From The Writers Of Modern Family
o A Modern Family Guide To Parenting
o An Addition To The Family
o Modern Family Writers
o Gag Reel
o Deleted And Alternate Scenes
o Season Finale Director’s Cut

Where to Watch: Blu-ray, DVD, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes

2 Broke Girls: The Second Season
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

“2 Broke Girls: The Second Season”

The hit CBS comedy starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs has been written off by most hip critics and viewers who ignore the eye network altogether. I’ll admit that I defended the show more in its first season and was disappointed to see it going through the motions in season two. Dennings and Behrs are still woefully underrated but the writing ranges from mediocre to pretty awful. And it’s odd to me that the producers of this series gave up on the HD route, releasing this show in standard DVD only. Now hardcore fans will own one season on Blu-ray and one on DVD. Annoying. But fans will know that I think all modern series should be released on Blu-ray. Yes, even a show like “2 Broke Girls.” Most streaming services are better quality than DVD now and anyone willing to buy an entire season should be able to do so in the best video quality possible.

Special Features:
o Max’s Homemade Cupcakes: Go Big Or Go Broke! - Season Two’s Icing On The Cupcake
o 2 Broke Girrllss! With Sophie Kachinsky - Fan Favorite Sophie Tells It Like It Is
o 2 Broke Girls At PaleyFest 2012 - Highlights With The Cast And Creative Team
o Unaired Scenes
o Gag Reel

Where to Watch: DVD, Vudu, Amazon Instant Streaming, iTunes

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com