Brinckerhoff, Burt

Touched by an Angel - The Complete First Season

Touched by an Angel wasn't the first TV show with a heavenly theme, but it set a new standard for a compassionate portrayal of Christian themes on television. Roma Downey, with flowing brunette locks and a soft Irish lilt, plays Monica, a divine case-worker sent from town to town to lend an angelic hand. Sometimes it's as simple as helping a dying man reach out to those he loves before it's too late; sometimes she has to face the Devil himself--in the closing episode of the first season, Monica is sent to make sure an AIDS hospice opens despite the opposition of white supremacists being led by Satan (played by John Schneider, formerly of The Dukes of Hazzard). Earthy Della Reese plays Tess, Monica's supervisor, who takes an active role in quite a few cases. Touched by an Angel is unlikely to persuade dubious viewers to join the faith, but though all episodes resolve themselves through the intervention of God and his divine messengers, the show's view of humanity has hope and dignity.

Touched by an Angel also features an impressive array of guest stars, ranging from country music star Randy Travis to Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman (The Last Picture Show) to Marion Ross (Happy Days); one episode, about a radio talk-show host fighting with her teenage daughter, features Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), James Marsden (X-Men), and Jack Black (School of Rock), all before their careers took off. Touched by an Angel: The Complete First Season has the first 13 episodes from 1994-95 and, as a bonus, the two-part series finale from 2003. --Bret Fetzer

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON delivers inspiration in the form of Monica (Downey), Tess (Reese) and Andrew (Dye), three angels dispatched from heaven to inspire people who are at a crossroads in their lives. Features notable guest appearances by Randy Travis, Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner,

Touched by an Angel - The Second Season

Touched by an Angel swiftly amassed a devout following, drawn to the TV series' clear Christian values and the warm performances of Roma Downey (she of the creamy complexion and lush pre-Raphaelite hair) and Della Reese as Monica and Tess, two angels sent to help troubled human beings. The first season had the additional virtue of exploring the ordinary yet complex emotional problems of troubled marriages, rebellious teens, and coping with the death of a loved one, in stories that were (with a few exceptions) cleanly written and down-to-earth--though, of course, everything was resolved by divine intervention. The second season, regrettably, dives into melodrama: A pregnant woman is trapped in a bank vault after her husband tries to rob the bank; a lawyer meets up with an old girlfriend, not knowing that her wicked ambitions caused his best friend to commit suicide; a postal worker sends atheistic replies to children's letters to God--and it turns out that he's an Auschwitz survivor. Even episodes grappling with what could be compelling material, like a stripper who feels responsible for her daughter's birth defect, get pushed over the top when Tess saves the day by creating a hot air balloon out of thin air. Certainly, God can accomplish miracles, but the second season of Touched by an Angel loses sight of his subtlety and mysterious ways. Nonetheless, fans will continue to take comfort in the show's message about divine love.

Episodes feature a wide range of guest stars: Movie actors like Elliott Gould (M*A*S*H) and Stacy Keach (Fat City); old television hands like Hal Linden (Barney Miller) and Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley); non-actors like poet Maya Angelou and singer Natalie Cole; and such, well, lesser celebrities as Kathie Lee Gifford (Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.) John Dye joins the series in this season as Andrew, a handsome angel of death. --Bret Fetzer

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL - THE SECOND SEASON delivers inspiration in the form of Monica (Downey), Tess (Reese) and Andrew (Dye), three angels dispatched from heaven to inspire people who are at a crossroads in their lives. Features notable guest appearances by Randy Travis, Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

Seaquest DSV: Season Two

Adventure resurfaces with the return of the spectacular Primetime Emmy® Award-winning SeaQuest DSV. Rejoin Captain Nathan Bridger (Roy Scheider) and his dedicated crew as they serve as guardians to Earth's undersea colonies and protect world peace from all threats both above and below the water. This must-own 8-disc set is packed with all 21 thrilling Season Two episodes and features amazing guest stars Mark Hamill Dom DeLuise Kent McCord and others. Season Two of SeaQuest DSV continues the incredible imaginative epic journey into the Earth's last frontier!System Requirements:Running Time: 136 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 025195008518 Manufacturer No: 61101020

Touched by an Angel - The Third Season (Vol. 1 & 2)

This Giftset includes both volumes 1 & 2 of Season 3.

Seaquest DSV - Season One

An enormously ambitious television series from executive producer Steven Spielberg and series creator Rockne S. O'Bannon (Farscape, Alien Nation), seaQuest DSV made a valiant attempt to present a thoughtful and socially conscious science-fiction series on par with Star Trek to a '90s audience (which had already latched onto Star Trek: The Next Generation), but struggled with mediocre scripts and special effects for most of its three seasons (1993-96). The first season, however, embodies much of the ambition and scope its producers envisioned, starting with the two-hour television movie to introduces retired officer Cmdr. Nathan Bridger (a grim-faced Roy Scheider) to the crew of the underwater vessel seaQuest DSV. The pilot feature is well helmed by Scheider, and offers an agreeable mix of fiction and fact (oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard served as technical advisor for the series), as well as considerable action and excitement for an expensive network series. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the cast (which included Stephanie Beacham as the ship's fetching doctor and the late Jonathan Brandis as a teen science whiz), the show's momentum faltered under the weight of corny embellishments such as its talking dolphin, Darwin (a genetically engineered human with gills would join the fray in the show's second season) and episodes like "Knight of Shadows," which offered a hoary possession storyline, or "Photon Bullet," which hinges on underwater computer hackers. The series would alternate between intriguing stories (like the suspenseful "Games") and ill-advised ones for much of its remaining seasons, which also saw cast changes (most notably, the departure of Scheider) in an attempt to revive audiences' flagging interest. All 23 episodes of the first season are included on this four-disc set, as well as a decent selection of deleted scenes from nine episodes, including the pilot. -- Paul Gaita

Travel to the spectacular undersea world of seaQuest DSV as all 23 groundbreaking episodes from the epic first season surface on DVD. The amazing adventure begins in the mid-21st century, as humankind expands its undersea colonization efforts and a tenuous world peace is enforced by the United Earth Oceans (UEO). In order to protect the fledgling underwater colonies from unknown dangers and hostile invaders lurking in the depths of Earth's last frontier, the UEO recruits Captain Nathan Bridger (Roy Scheider) to command the high-tech battle submarine seaQuest and its diverse and eclectic crew. Along for the ride are a roster of stellar guest stars, including Charlton Heston, William Shatner, Seth Green, Kellie Martin and Kent McCord. Now on DVD for the first time ever, with exclusive never-before-seen footage, the Emmy® Award-winning seaQuest DSV is sure to make waves with thrill-seekers everywhere!

Diagnosis Murder - The Third Season

Emmy award winner Dick Van Dyke stars as Dr. Mark Sloan a dedicated doctor who dabbles in detective work in DIAGNOSIS MURDER. Caring and compassionate Dr. Sloan enlists the help of his police detective son Steve (Barry Van Dyke) whenever he suspects one of his patients is the victim of foul play. And he won t rest until the bad guys are put to bed - permanently! Working alongside Sloan is pathologist Amanda Bentley (Victoria Rowell). For star performances and classic "whodunit" suspense the right prescription is DIAGNOSIS MURDER. System Requirements:Run Time: 840 minutes Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 097361225340

The Moody Blues Hall of Fame - Live From the Royal Albert Hall

With graying baby boomers becoming key underwriters of viewer-supported television, a staid Public Broadcasting System grudgingly acknowledged the existence of rock & roll in the 1990s. The Moody Blues, via their somewhat heavy-handed, 1993 concert video A Night at Red Rocks, were among the first Woodstock generation acts to end up in constant rotation during affiliate pledge drives. The band's PBS follow-up, Hall of Fame, is an improvement overall. Taped at London's Royal Albert Hall early in 2000, the Moodies' more freewheeling performance this time mixes satisfying selections from their catalogue of hits from 1968 to 1972 with a few Top 40 entries released in the late '80s ("I Know You're Out There Somewhere," "Your Wildest Dreams"). The sheer pleasure of watching the core quartet of Ray Thomas, Justin Hayward, John Lodge, and Graeme Edge ease their way into Mellotron masterpieces from Days of Future Passed, as well as the trippy curiosity of "Legend of a Mind" and the dizzying pop mutations of "Ride My See-Saw," is a study in grace. Backed by the once-fictional London Festival Orchestra (credited as a key musical collaborator on Days), the band eschews grandiosity for a pointed but delicate yearning, and whips up its typically stately tone of cosmic romanticism. The frenzied joy of a mixed-age audience brings smiles to the Moodies' faces and a sometimes-unexpected vigor to their vocals--catch Ray Thomas's booming "Welllll!" during every chorus of "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)"--which helps to make this program a treat to watch repeatedly. --Tom Keogh

Legendary British rock group The Moody Blues are captured live performing many of their international smash hits backed by the World Festival Orchestra. Recorded live at the famed Royal Albert Hall on May 1, 2000. 81 minutes.

Songs:
1. Overture
2. Tuesday Afternoon
3. English Sunset
4. Words You Say
5. The Story in Your Eyes
6. I Know You're Out There Somewhere
7. Haunted
8. Your Wildest Dreams
9. Isn't Life Strange
10. I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
11. Nights in White Satin
12. Legend of a Mind
13. Question
14. Ride My See-Saw

Diagnosis Murder - The Second Season

The long-running CBS television series DIAGNOSIS MURDER offers a clever hybrid of the medical-drama and murder-mystery genres. Comedy legend Dick Van Dyke anchors the series as Dr. Mark Sloan a hospital physician who helps his detective son Steve (Van Dyke's real-life son Barry) solve crimes for the Los Angeles Police Department. Warm witty and family-friendly this collection presents every episode from the series' second season which includes guest appearances by Michael Tucci Dyan Cannon and Pernell Roberts.Runtime: 1025 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 097360789041 Manufacturer No: 078904

It's not unusual for the medical community to encounter law enforcement over a hospital bed, but there's something about the Los Angeles Community Hospital and its Chief of Internal Medicine Dr. Mark Sloan (Dick Van Dyke) that seem to attract suspicious cases. Far from a "treat them and street them" attitude, Dr. Mark Sloan is a compassionate and understanding doctor whose probing questions and natural curiosity repeatedly uncover mysterious circumstances and details that he invariably feels compelled to investigate. Of course the proper authorities (in the form of his son, police officer Steve Sloan, played by Van Dyke's real-life son Barry Van Dyke) are notified, but, like any good doctor, Dr. Sloan relies on the expertise of his own staff. Thus fellow Doctor Jack Stewart (Scott Baio), hospital pathologist Amanda Bentley (Victoria Rowell), and Dr. Sloan's secretary Delores (Delores Hall) are often embroiled in investigative work that results in an understaffed hospital and a distraught hospital administrator (Michael Tucci). From maternity hospitals selling babies on the black market to dishonest tax lawyers, murderous hospital inspectors, egocentric surgery patients, and dating services whose dates are the absolute end-all, Dr. Sloan and his crew can be counted upon to pursue and solve an abundance of mysteries--and maybe even see a patient or two in the process. Guest stars include Betty White and Bo Jackson. While not one of Van Dyke's best television series, Diagnosis Murder will appeal to Dick Van Dyke aficionados and murder mystery fans alike. --Tami Horiuchi

Diagnosis Murder - The Complete 1st Season

Emmy award winner Dick Van Dyke stars as Dr. Mark Sloan a dedicated doctor who dabbles in detective work in DIAGNOSIS MURDER. Caring and compassionate Dr. Sloan enlists the help of his police detective son Steve (Barry Van Dyke) whenever he suspects one of his patients is the victim of foul play. And he won t rest until the bad guys are put to bed - permanently! Working alongside Sloan is pathologist Amanda Bentley (Victoria Rowell). For star performances and classic whodunit suspense the right prescription is DIAGNOSIS MURDER.System Requirements:Running Time 885 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 097360788945 Manufacturer No: 078894

One of America's most beloved TV actors, Dick Van Dyke, proved his longevity and acting chops in Diagnosis Murder, as Dr. Mark Sloan, chief of staff at L.A.'s Community General Hospital, as well as a consultant for the police department on confounding murders. The show was originally conceived as a Murder, She Wrote-with-boys, to tap into the late '80s and early '90s wave of spunky-senior shows (Golden Girls, Matlock et al.). But Van Dyke's versatility and charisma drew fans of all ages, and the first season shows his breadth as an actor. The mysteries range from the fairly typical (a beautiful patient surrounded by intrigue has amnesia--or does she?) to the gritty and offbeat (Sloan's son, played by Van Dyke's real son, Barry, gets too close to a gang of corrupt cops, with near-disastrous results). Through it all, Van Dyke's Sloan is avuncular, thoughtful, warm, and serious, but conveys enough wry humor and cheekiness to take considerable advantage of Van Dyke's comic timing. One episode in this season, "Inheritance of Death," features Van Dyke playing multiple roles--young, old, men, women--in a conniving family grasping for the inheritance of an ancient family member, and it's laugh-out-loud funny. Another standout in the cast is Scott Baio as Sloan's earnest sidekick, Dr. Jack Stewart. The boxed set features all 19 episodes of the first season, plus the episode of Jake and the Fatman which introduced the character of Dr. Mark Sloan. --A.T. Hurley

Touched By an Angel - The Third Season, Vol. 2

A trio of angels Monica (Roma Downey) Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) are dispatched from heaven with a special mission: to inspire people facing sometimes unseen crossroads in their lives. Monica an angel who at times still needs some guidance with her earthly assignments reports to Tess her tough wise and always loving supervisor. Also on hand is Andrew who in addition to his duties as the Angel of Death now helps out as a caseworker on carious assignments. Gloria an angel for the 21st century continues to seek guidance from Monica performing her angelic duties. While the angels may not bring solutions to every problem they always deliver a message of hope.System Requirements:Run Time: 780 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 097368508743 Manufacturer No: 850874

Roma Downey, with her apple cheeks, cascading brunette hair, and Irish lilt, has the kind of warm benevolence that has been the bedrock of television from its inception. Starring as Monica, an angel "caseworker" who walks among mortal humanity to help them solve their problems, Downey glows beatifically as she dispenses homilies about God's enduring love. The cantankerous authority of Della Reese as Tess, Monica's immediate superior, and the bland manliness of John Dye as Andrew, the Angel of Death (though by this season, he'd became pretty much all-purpose) gave Touched by an Angel its own holy trinity. By the third season, the trio had settled into a comfortable blend of earnest empathy and vaudevillian banter.

While fans of the show praise its moral values, the scripts vary erratically, slipping all to often into melodrama and hamfisted dialogue. Even viewers comfortable with problems being solved by the Lord's direct intervention will probably scoff at the ending of, for example, the episode about an escape artist who feels guilty over his brother's death--not only is the resolution farfetched, the execution is clumsy. Still, the show pulls in an impressive array of guest stars; The Third Season, Vol. 2 features James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby, Cloris Leachman, Abe Vigoda, Esther Rolle, Edward James Olmos, Camryn Mannheim, Chris Noth, and many, many more. Jasmine Guy returns as Monica's diabolical nemesis, and Hudson Leick (Xena: Warrior Princess) appears twice as a sweet fledgling angel. This four-disc set features 14 episodes with no extra features. --Bret Fetzer