A TV series worth bringing back...

This week is a momentous week in the world of DVD releases. No – it’s isn’t because of the release of “The Aviator” or even season 3 of “Chappelle’s Show.” No no. This week marks the DVD release of the first two seasons of “Newsradio”. Oh hell yes. The show that NBC had no idea how to schedule or promote lives on. And thank God.

Just in time for the summer of reality suckage, we can all enjoy one of the best big comedy ensembles ever assembled for a sitcom. It was a supergroup even before there was such a thing on TV, featuring SNL’s Phil Hartman, Kids in the Hall’s Dave Foley, standup acts Andy Dick and Vicki Lawrence, future ER cast members Khandi Alexander and Maura Tierney, not to mention “Office Space” standout Stephen Root as the Best Corporate Boss Ever - Jimmy James. Oh…and Joe Rogan. But no one cares about him.

The writing was always spot-on, the electricity between the cast members palpable, the gleeful journalism in-jokes (for those of us who’d get them)…it’s hard to believe NBC never did right by this show in the four years it managed to somehow survive. But then again, that was back when “Seinfeld” and “Mad About You” were the top priorities. But there was so much to love about the crazy crew at WNYX news.

Let me count the ways:
-Bill and Catherine’s on-air pleasantness belying deep hatred
-Dave and Lisa’s illicit office rendezvous
-Bill’s constant torture of Matthew
-Joe’s conspiracy theories
-Jimmy’s confusing, often multi-tangeted stories at staff meetings
-Pretty much everything Beth ever did

Ah. I can hardly wait to get it.