ABC
Boston Legal, Season Four. This show continues to be solid year after year, and this is one of the best seasons, in my view. They make great use of the amazing guy-chemistry between Denny Crane (William Shatner) and Alan Shore (James Spader). Season 4 also boasts the episode where they go before the Supreme Court. All rise! Five discs, 926 minutes.
Brothers & Sisters, The Complete Second Season. This family drama grew on me over time, but by last season, I was hooked. I know it’s Hollywood-ized to some extent, but the Walker clan seem like they could be your next-door neighbors (well, with way more problems than most families). And you couldn’t ask for a better cast. Top-notch all the way. Stand-out episode: When the family stands up to Justin and his addiction, and refuses to let him leave the house. 5 discs, 671 minutes.
CBS
Two and a Half Men: The Complete Fourth Season. My mother-in-law clued me into this show (which shows you the kind of kick-ass mother-in-law I have), and really, it’s hard not to get hooked once you watch an episode or two. Who knew immorality could be so funny? Four discs.
CSI:NY: The Fourth Season. Dare I say this is the best of the CSI franchise? Yes, I dare. And that’s not just because I have a major crush on Gary Sinise. Ok, maybe that’s part of it. Six discs, 885 minutes.
Samantha Who?: The Complete First Season. I watched a few episodes of this show, but couldn’t get into it for some reason. Maybe I should check it out again, seeing as it just won Jean Smart an Emmy. Two discs.
Cashmere Mafia: The Complete Series. This show was overshadowed by its competition, Lipstick Jungle, which really is a better show overall. Still, I watched Cashmere Mafia and it’s worth a look if you like chick-shows. Two discs, 294 minutes.
This American Life: Season One. There’s something mesmerizing about Ira Glass, or maybe it’s the everyday folks he meets on the road. It’s equal parts documentary, news magazine, and reality show. And I mean that in the best way possible. One disc, 120 minutes.
Ax Men: The Complete Season One. The History Channel sent me a copy of this, and it’s awesome! It didn’t sound that interesting at first, but the show follows loggers into the remote forests of the Pacific Northwest, where they deal with faulty machinery, snapped cables, runaway logs, and nasty weather. It gives you a new respect for that wooden table you’re working on. Four discs, 670 minutes.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The Definitive Collection. If you’re a fan of the impeccably dressed Hercule Poirot, this is a great set that includes 12 feature-length mysteries. Agatha Christie said, “There’s nothing like boredom to make you write,” but you won’t have that problem here. Twelve discs, 1176 minutes.
Gangland: The Complete Season One. This series takes you inside some of the country’s most notorious gangs, including the worst, MS-13 (props to the film crew who followed them around). A raw look at life in the gritty trenches. Four discs, 611 minutes.
Horatio Hornblower: Collector’s Edition. Ione Gruffudd might be known as Reed Richards on The Fantastic Four, but I prefer him as high-seas superhero Horatio Hornblower. Eight feature-length films on eight discs, 800 minutes.
Clacked by Jane Boursaw 
on Sep 24, 2008 @ 01:34 EST5EDT
Defintely give Samantha Who? another try. I found it too be one of the most charming and refreshing new shows of the season, and Christina Applegate is a revelation! It gets better as it goes, but it’s the charm of the characters that sell it.
And Jean Smart earned that Emmy, hands down. Drama or comedy she is “da bomb!”