New TV DVDs for Feb. 23: 'Jersey Shore,' 'Project Runway' and More

Whether due to the Olympics or simply the doldrums of winter, there's no doubt that the last few weeks of TV DVD releases have been painfully slow -- the less said about last week's 'Small Wonder' set, for instance, the better. But this week, things are finally turning around. And the mega hit that has arrived to lead us to the promised land? Why, it's 'Jersey Shore,' of course.

Okay, so maybe 'Jersey Shore' isn't everyone's idea of high culture, but let's face it: When you're curling up on your couch under a Snuglee with a bag of Smartfood clutched in one hand and half a six pack of Diet Pepsi in the other, you're probably not looking for a Ken Burns documentary. And have no fear: The tanning, gym and laundry of 'Jersey Shore: Season 1 Uncensored' are about as far away from PBS as you can get.Whether due to the Olympics or simply the doldrums of winter, there's no doubt that the last few weeks of TV DVD releases have been painfully slow -- the less said about last week's 'Small Wonder' set, for instance, the better. But this week, things are finally turning around. And the mega hit that has arrived to lead us to the promised land? Why, it's 'Jersey Shore,' of course.

Okay, so maybe 'Jersey Shore' isn't everyone's idea of high culture, but let's face it: When you're curling up on your couch under a Snuglee with a bag of Smartfood clutched in one hand and half a six pack of Diet Pepsi in the other, you're probably not looking for a Ken Burns documentary. And have no fear: The tanning, gym and laundry of 'Jersey Shore: Season 1 Uncensored' are about as far away from PBS as you can get.

Slightly farther up the always sliding scale of reality television taste levels is 'Project Runway: Season Six,' which brought haute couture to Los Angeles with less than thrilling results. Perhaps this wasn't the best 'Project Runway' season ever, but in comparison to 'Jersey Shore,' you have to admit that they at least had some great laundry.

Of course, if the producers at 'Project Runway' had been able to see glimpses of their own future like the poor saps on 'FlashForward,' chances are they never would have jumped to the left coast. You can get yourself ready for the climax of 'FlashForward''s first arc with 'FlashForward: Season One, Pt. 1.'

Also available this week from the realm of freshman dramas is 'Nurse Jackie: Season One,' which shows what happens when Edie Falco's titular character stops being polite and starts getting real. Or ... sorry, that's 'The Real World,' not 'Nurse Jackie.' But this one is cool too.

You know what's even cooler, though? How about some magic tricks accompanied by the smooth scat stylings of the legendary Mel Torme. Yes, it's 'Night Court,' which was one of the least likely sitcom hits of the 80's; you can find out for yourself what all the fuss was about with 'Night Court: The Complete Third Season.'

Judge Harry is probably not who you'd want behind the bench for the cases explored in 'Midsomer Murders: Set 14,' though. As you can probably suss out from the title, 'Midsomer Murders,' an acclaimed detective series from our friends in Britain, has been chugging along for fourteen seasons. So watch your back, 'Law & Order.'

Another edgy import from across the pond also lands today, this time in the ruggedly manly form of adventurer Bear Grylls and his ragtag crew from 'Man vs. Wild,' who bring us the greatest hits compilation 'Man vs. Wild: Stranded Around the World.'

And lastly, SyFy brings us another shot of supernatural paranoia with 'Ghost Hunter: Season Five, Part One.' Because the scares of 'Ghost Hunters' season five are so shocking, they couldn't possibly fit them all into one DVD set.