'That Girl,' 'Muppet Show' lead new releases

The third season of "That Girl" and the second season of "The Muppet Show" lead off this look at new DVDs of old TV shows, scheduled in stores on Monday.

TV series

• "That Girl: Season Three" (Shout! 1968-69, four discs, $39.99). Marlo Thomas is back in the third season of this charming, and gently feminist sitcom, which was quite groundbreaking in its day. Today, it still plays as funny and warm, with Thomas as the title character, aspiring actress Ann Marie, and Ted Bessell as her boyfriend, Donald. Serious issues are occasionally dealt with, but entertainment is the primary focus. Guests this season include Penny Marshall, McLean Stevenson, Larry Storch and Thomas' real-life father, Danny Thomas.

Extras: Full frame, 26 episodes, audio commentaries, featurette, Thomas' makeup test

• "The Muppet Show: The Complete Second Season" (Buena Vista, 1977-78, four discs, $39.99). Ya gotta love the Muppets, from Kermit to Miss Piggy to Statler & Waldorf in the balcony. Silly humor, off-the-wall skits and toe-tapping music that appeals to youngsters as well as parents (and grandparents; trust me). Guests this season include Bob Hope, Elton John, Peter Sellers, George Burns, Julie Andrews and Steve Martin, among others.

Extras: Full frame, 24 episodes, "Muppets Valentine Special" (1974)," featurettes

• "8 Simple Rules: The Complete First Season" (Buena Vista, 2002-03, three discs, $23,99). Sitcom veterans John Ritter ("Three's Company") and Katey Sagal ("Married ... With Children") star in this pretty-good sitcom, as parents of teenage daughters. Never quite catches fire, but fans of the stars won't care. Guests include Cybill Shepherd, Tom Poston, Jason Priestley and Ritter's old "Three's Company" co-star Don Knotts.

Extras: Widescreen, bloopers

• "The Tick vs. Season Two" (Buena Vista, 1995-96, two discs, $34.99). Funny second season of this zany animated spoof of superhero cliches. Includes a Christmas episode ... with an evil Santa, of course.

Extras: Full frame, 12 episodes; collectible card

• "The Simpsons: Season 10" (Fox, 1998-99, four discs, $49.98). They're big movie stars now, but the Simpson clan is still going strong on TV. This is the latest season to land on DVD, with guests Elton John, Ron Howard, Dolly Parton, Mark Hamill, and Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger when they were married! (Man this show has been on a long time.)

Extras: Full frame, 23 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurettes, art galleries, commercials