Mary Tyler Moore: Season Six

We're getting there. Since 2002, Fox has been erratically releasing on DVD each season of one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. They no longer add any bonus features to these boxes (a sin of omission), but thankfully the episodes stand on their own over 30 years later. All 24 episodes from season six are packed across three discs, neatly housed in a regular-sized DVD case. Since the packaging is bare bones, the appeal of this set lies in the writing and acting of MTM and her dysfunctional gang of employees inside the WJM-TV newsroom. Easily the best of the lot is "Chuckles Bites The Dust," which focuses on the host of WJM's children's morning show (not shown on screen). Dressed as a giant peanut, Chuckles dies accidentally in a circus parade when a "rogue elephant" tries to shell him. Mary scolds her co-workers for making tasteless, cruel jokes about Chuckles (and peanuts) until the funeral. It was taboo in 1975 to mix comedy and death, but today this contrast strikes a chord. It's no surprise that TV Guide named this the top comedy episode of all time. Other highlights include "The Seminar," featuring a cameo by then First Lady Betty Ford; "Once I Had A Secret Love" about Mary gossiping about her boss's, Lou Grant, private life; and "Edie Gets Married," about Lou grudgingly accepting his ex-wife's new marriage. This is a subjective list, of course, since each viewer will have his or her own favourites. In any case, fans will have to savour this box until Fox releases the next one sometime in the future. And did I mention there were no bonus features?