'Episodes,' 'GCB': Two TV series making DVD debuts

This week's new DVD selections include two strong TV series.

Episodes: The First Season Grade C-plus: This Showtime comedy looks at what happens when a popular British series is transformed into an American sitcom. The show goes from classy to trashy, especially with Matt LeBlanc, who plays himself, cast in the lead.

Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan play the series creators, who must decide between their artistic integrity and the fame and fortune that come with a hit situation comedy.

Episodes would have been more interesting if there had been more focus on the Americanization of the show, rather than the slide of the show's creators into the ooze of Hollywood.

GCB: The Complete First Season Grade B-minus: The ABC series, based on the book Good Christian B- by Kim Gatlin, looks at what happens when the former "it girl" (Leslie Bibb) returns home to Dallas 18 years after graduation to live with her mom (Annie Potts). Miriam Shor plays tough CEO Cricket Caruth-Reilly, while Kristin Chenoweth is the top diva in town, Carlene Cockburn.

GCB starts strong but becomes more of a cartoon with each episode.

Also coming to DVD this week:

The Sarah Jane Adventures: The Fifth Season: The final season of the series, in which Sarah Jane Smith examines strange and mysterious events.

 Too Big to Fail: William Hurt stars in this cable offering about the financial collapse.

Miss Minoes: Based on the children's book by Annie M.G. Schmidt.

Top Gear: The Complete Season 18: It's cars, cars, and more cars.

Doctor Who: The Seeds of Death Special Edition: When Earth's delivery system breaks down, global shortages begin. Only the Doctor can help.

Spider-Man: The film, plus Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3, debuts on Blu-ray.

The Tribe: An unknown virus leaves the children of the world without adults.

Brad Meltzer's Decoded: Season 2: Brad Meltzer hosts this cable series, which looks at historical mysteries.

Gene Simmons Family Jewels: Season 6, Volume 2 - The Wedding: Includes the wedding of Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed.

Missing: The Complete First Season: Ashley Judd plays an ex-spy searching for her kidnapped son.

Elephant Sighs: A man joins a group of townsmen who share similar problems.

Thin Ice: Greg Kinnear stars as a small-time insurance agent looking for a way to jump-start his business.

Kill Speed: Thrill seeker (Andrew Keegan) supports a lavish lifestyle by running drugs.

Awesome Adventures: Races, Chases & Fun: Six adventures featuring Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, and Bob the Builder.

Lethal Weapon Collection: Set contains all four theatrical releases in the series on Blu-ray.

Demoted: Top salesmen find themselves demoted, demoralized.

Chicago in Chicago: Concert film starring the popular band.

Accident: A professional hit man kills his victims by trapping them in well-crafted accidents.

Drop Dead Diva: The Complete Third Season: Brooke Elliott stars in the legal dramedy.

Power Rangers Samurai: Two volumes of the action series are being released.

The Happiest Baby on the Block: Based on the books by Dr. Harvey Karp.