TV shows on DVD include Fox's turn on 'Rescue Me'

Michael J. Fox's Emmy-nominated guest turn in "Rescue Me" leads off this look at new-to-DVD television programs.

"Rescue Me: Season Five, Volume One" (Sony, 2009, three discs, $49.95). Denis Leary stars in this gritty FX cable drama as dysfunctional firefighter Tommy Gavin — but Fox's turn as a wheelchairbound character who is even more dysfunctional than Tommy has earned Fox an Emmy nomination (winners will be announced Sept. 20). This is a down-and-dirty show, but it's also high drama, very well written and played.

Extras: widescreen, 11 episodes, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers

"Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season" (Warner/Blu-ray, 2008-09, four discs, $79.98). This was one of my favorite shows for three seasons, a witty, funny and scary yarn about brothers who are "hunters," tracking down monsters and demons each week. But in this season the brothers are bickering, battling each other and dealing with less-than-angelic angels, and it's been a struggle. For fans, that is. Still, there are some good episodes here and there. And there's hope that Season 5 will get the show back on track.

Extras: widescreen, 22 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurette, bloopers (also on DVD, $59.98)

"Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season" (ABC, 2008-09, seven discs, $59.99). The housewives of Wisteria Lane are advanced five years in the future, as Edie returns with a new husband, who, of course, has a dark secret. And there's a nice guest appearance by Beau Bridges (who earned an Emmy nomination).

Extras: widescreen, 24 episodes, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, featurettes, bloopers

"Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Third Season" (ABC, 2008-09, six discs, $59.99). Sally Field heads the cast of this ensemble soap opera about a dysfunctional upscale California family, with Patricia Wettig, Rachel Griffiths, Rob Lowe and Calista Flockhart, among others.

Extras: widescreen, 24 episodes, deleted scenes, featurettes, bloopers

"The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" (Acorn, 1971, four discs, $59.99). These are the other detectives of Victorian England, those who would be Holmes' contemporaries in an anthology series of mysteries featuring John Neville, Donald Pleasence and, in his screen debut, Jeremy Irons.

Extras: full frame, 13 episodes, text profiles of detectives/creators