'SNL' offers Saturday-night nostalgia on DVD

The second season of "Saturday Night Live" highlights this look at TV shows new to DVD, arriving in stores on Tuesday.

TV series

• "Saturday Night Live: Season 2" (Universal, 1976-77, eight discs, $69.98). This season is significant for the guest-hosting chores of Steve Martin (in two episodes), which helped establish him as a semiregular staple of the program, along with the arrival of Bill Murray and the departure of Chevy Chase. And, of course, talented regulars John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris.

There are some hysterical skits (Coneheads, Land Shark, Bees, the burger joint), some surprising hosts (14-year-old Jodie Foster, Broderick Crawford), as well as terrific musical guests (remember Paul Simon in a turkey suit?), and a show from New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

For those of us of a certain age, this is Saturday-night nostalgia at its best.

Extras: full frame, Andy Kaufman screen test, dress-rehearsal audio files; 32-page scrapbook

• "Touched by an Angel: The Fourth Season, Volume 3" (CBS/Paramount, 1998, four discs, $42.99). Roma Downey and Della Reese continue their angelic duties in this faith-promoting series, filmed in Utah. Guest stars include Polly Bergen, Haley Joel Osment, Edward James Olmos, Tom Poston, Jerry Stiller and Utah-bred Corbin Allred.

Extras: full frame, 15 episodes

• "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Fourth Year" (Universal, 2002-03, five discs, $59.98). Arguably the best of the "Law & Order" franchise, this show is also the most "adult," simply because of its subject matter, sexual crimes. But Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are a great team, backed by Richard Belzer, Ice-T, B.D. Wong and Dann Florek.

Extras: full frame

• "New Street Law: The Complete First Season" (Koch, 2007, three discs, $39.98). Interesting legal drama about a barrister (John Hannah) who strikes out on his own but then finds himself having to go up against his mentor (Paul Freeman) in an important case. Well-played.

Extras: widescreen, eight episodes

• "Battlestar Galactica: Razor: Unrated Extended Edition" (Universal, 2007, $26.98). If you aren't a regular "Battlestar" watcher, you need to know that this is aimed squarely at fans who recall the series' history, are aware of the characters' previous interactions, and will understand the flashback references. If you are a fan, sit back for a great ride.