Old TV shows never die, they just go into reruns, then Nick at Night, Netflix and finally get released on DVD and/or Blu-ray. That’s what’s happening to several shows these days.
“The Nanny: The Complete Series” From 1993 to 1999, Fran Drescher starred in this popular sitcom as Fran Fine, who somehow becomes the nanny of the three children of a widowed Broadway producer. The series attracted a slew of high-profile guest stars: Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Midler, David Letterman, Dan Aykroyd, Jay Leno, Elton John and Chevy Chase among others. 146 episodes on 19 discs.
“Hill Street Blues: Season Five” Daniel J. Travanti and Veronica Hamel led an outstanding cast that made this one of the top cop shows ever. Written by Stephen Bochco, the show was a solid mix of drama, tragedy and comedy. The five discs cover 23 episodes that aired in 1984-85.
“The Wonder Years: Season Three” Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage and voiced as an adult by Daniel Stern) grew up, like many folks, in the 1960s. He dealt with the trauma of being an eight grader in this season, which means there is love, school trauma, coming of age and love lost. Four discs contain 17 episodes that appeared on TV in 1989-90. It also stars Danica McKellar as the object of his crush.
“Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Third Season” Standup comedian Gabe Kaplan is cast as Gabe Kottter, a guy who returns to his Brooklyn alma mater as a high school teacher. His lot in life is to educate — or at least tame — some not-so-bright students known as the “sweathogs.” John Travolta is the head “hog. Marcia Strassman is Kotter’s wife. Four discs contain 27 episodes from 1977-78.