Medical-drama shows lead new DVD releases

Dick Van Dyke as a crime-busting physician, and the second seasons of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost" lead off these new-to-DVD television programs.

"Diagnosis Murder: The Complete 1st Season" (CBS/Paramount, 1993-94, not rated, $54.99, five discs). The obvious question is, how does Mark Sloan find time to be a doctor when he's always running around Los Angeles solving murders? The obvious answer is — don't think too much about it.

Sloan, played with humor and charm by Dick Van Dyke, is the medical profession's answer to Jessica Fletcher; wherever he goes, murder follows. So sleuthing comes naturally. And with Van Dyke and an enjoyable supporting cast onboard, it's light, gentle, goes-down-easy entertainment. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Included here is the 1991 episode of "Jake and the Fatman" that introduced Van Dyke as Sloan — but not the 1992 TV-movie pilot! Hopefully, that will come in the next set.

Extras: Full frame, 19 episodes, "It Never Entered My Mind" episode of "Jake and the Fatman," optional English subtitles, chapters.

"Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Second Season: Uncut" (Buena Vista/Touchstone, 2005-06, not rated, $59.99, six discs). Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh and Katherine Heigl lead the cast of this popular medical drama, which includes liberal doses of off-the-wall satire and soap-opera plotting. Among the bonus features is a spoof of the show from "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Extras: Widescreen, 27 episodes, audio commentaries, extended episodes, deleted scenes, featurettes, chapters.

"Lost: The Complete Second Season: The Extended Experience" (Buena Vista/Touchstone, 2005-06, not rated, $59.99, seven discs). If you like plot points to eventually wrap up, this is not the show for you. But if raising indecipherable themes and letting them dangle is your cup of tea, this should provide nirvana. The second season about an array of disparate personalities trapped on a remote island is quite baffling.

Extras: Widescreen, 24 episodes, audio commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers, chapters.

"Commander in Chief: Inaugural Edition, Part 2" (Buena Vista/Touchstone, 2006, not rated, $29.99, two discs). The second half of this failed series about the first female U.S. president (Geena Davis) is composed of episodes that, unfortunately, dragged the series downhill.

Extras: Widescreen, eight episodes, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers, chapters.