Special 'Honeymooners' sets make their way to DVD

"Honeymooners" fans will be happy to see two 1970s specials revived on DVD for the first time, leading this look at newly released TV shows.

"The Honeymooners Specials: Second Honeymoon" (MPI, 1976, $14.98)."The Honeymooners Specials: Valentine Special" (MPI, 1978, $14.98). Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Jane Kean joined forces in 1976 for a "Honeymooners" special, re-creating their roles as the Kramdens and the Nortons — and then did three more through 1978. These are hourlong specials (50 minutes here), each filmed in color before a live audience (and without any musical numbers).

These two shows are laugh-out-loud funny, with Gleason still blustery as hapless bus driver Ralph Kramden and Carney stealing every scene he's in as goofy sewer worker Ed Norton. Their comic chemistry is as sharp as ever, but the real treat here is to have Meadows back, and she's in top form (after Sheila MacRae took over the role of Alice for the late 1960s color series).

The plots, as if they mattered, go this way: "Second Honeymoon" has Ralph planning to renew vows with Alice on their 25th anniversary during a Raccoon Lodge ceremony — and he thinks Alice is pregnant! "Valentine Special" has Alice buying Ralph a suit for Valentine's Day — but he thinks she's measuring him for a coffin. In the latter, get a load of Gleason and Carney in drag; hilarious.

Each disc also features a parody skit of "The Honeymooners" from other variety shows, one with Ray Bolger and Audrey Meadows (she hilariously spoofs Gleason's character), and another with Sheila MacRae, George Kirby and Rich Little as Alice, Ralph and Norton.

The two absent "Honeymooners" specials, by the way, are 1977 and '78 Christmas shows; cross your fingers for those to arrive with the holidays later this year.

Extras: full frame, parody skits

"On the Road With Charles Kuralt" (Acorn, 1967-87, three discs, 39.99). Another delightful collection of Kuralt's stories of Americana as he traveled the country to encounter everyday folk.

No one was more amiable or affable than Kuralt, and he charmed those he interviewed as easily as he did the viewing audience. Contained here are visits with cowboys, traffic cops, short-order cooks, a Russian who thanks American soldiers for saving his life some 43 years earlier and much more.

Extras: full frame, 18 episodes (86 interviews)