Remember the last time you were perusing the "TV on DVD" aisle at your local Best Buy, looking at the thousands and thousands of collections you’ll never buy, and thought to yourself, “There just aren't enough!”? Well, we know how you feel.

There are still too many amazing television shows from the recent and distant past that haven’t made it to DVD. So before we all switch to Blu-ray and have to start building our collections from scratch, we’ve made a list of shows we are absolutely shocked and awed aren't available on DVD.

 

"The Wonder Years"

Why it should be on DVD: A lot of entries on our list are... shall we say "niche"? Not "The Wonder Years." Young Kevin Arnold's comedic take on the late '60s and early '70s was TV we could actually stand to watch with our parents.

Why it's not on DVD: British conspiracy! This slice of Americana is somehow available in a complete box set across the Atlantic, but not over here. (Also: music rights.)

TV DVD substitute: Last summer's CBS series "Swingtown" was basically an oversexed retooling of "The Wonder Years." It may have been canceled, but at least it made it to DVD.

 

"thirtysomething"

Why it should be on DVD: Melodrama at its absolute finest, “thirtysomething” paved the way for such other palatable family soaps as “Life Goes On” and “Sisters.” Bonus: There is absolutely nothing funnier than watching '80s baby boomer yuppies coming to terms with adulthood.

Why it's not on DVD: We don’t know, but the commenters on Amazon’s holding page for a future release are not pleased.

TV DVD substitute: “Brothers and Sisters,” the first two seasons of which are already on DVD, is a suitable replacement, seeing as how it's basically “thirtysomething: the new class.” Patricia Wettig is even on both shows—she’s like Mr. Belding!

"Batman"

Why it should be on DVD: Holy campy comic classic! Anyone still bumming out over the “The Dark Knight” is sure to cheer up after watching visual sound effects ("Pow!").

Why it's not on DVD: Studio fight! DC Comics, Warner Brothers and Fox all have a claim on the Batman DVD riches, but they just can’t set aside their differences to plan a release.

TV DVD substitute: Nowhere is Adam West allowed to be more Adam West-y than “Family Guy.” Pass on all the retreads of the Bat and watch an older West get animated and completely unhinged.

 

"It's Garry Shandling's Show"

Why it should be on DVD: “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” was unlike anything you see on the tube today. Shandling played the star of a sitcom who was fully aware he was on television. The current generation of TV viewers could really benefit from checking out the '80s pop culture take on postmodernism.  

Why it's not on DVD: A shameful mystery. It should be available just for including Gilda Radner’s last ever TV appearance.

TV DVD substitute: “Curb Your Enthusiasm” clearly draws inspiration for Shandling. It’s also the best source of comedic neuroses.

 

"Out of this World"

Why it should be on DVD: Evie Garland finds out on her 13th birthday that she’s half alien. It’s like any other teen coming-of-age story, except her face changes colors like a mood ring, she stops time with her fingers and has heart-to-hearts with an absentee alien dad—voiced by Burt Reynolds! 

Why it's not on DVD: Like so many syndicated series of the past, there hasn’t been a real call for it—until now. Who’s going to start the petition?

TV DVD substitute: Swap alien powers for secret pop star identity and “Hannah Montana” is basically the exact same series.

 

"Cupid"

Why it should be on DVD: A romantic comedy about a man who's either shooting love's arrow or going absolutely insane, "Cupid" was a short-lived gem from future "Veronica Mars" creator Rob Thomas.

Why it's not on DVD: “Cupid” star Jeremy Piven is no doubt burying all evidence that he once had a receding hairline. Have you seen "PCU" on HBO since “Entourage” started?

TV DVD substitute: Nothing on DVD, per se, but "Cupid" gets a second life from the same creator and a new cast this season on ABC.

"Mousercise"

Why it should be on DVD: 1983's "Mousercise" was a unique phenomenon of the times. The health-minded series combined leg warmers, a nation's burgeoning obsession with fitness, and small children skeptically working out beside adults in full Disney character regalia.

Why it's not on DVD: The self-loathing mouse long ago snubbed his animal buds for 'tween-friendly, musically inclined pop tarts like Miley Cyrus and Raven Symone.

TV DVD substitute: Vintage workouts aren't entirely sequestered to VHS. Jane Fonda's '80s classic has upgraded to digital—as has Richard Simmons' "Sweating to the Oldies." They're basically cartoons themselves.

"Sifl and Olly Show"

Why it should be on DVD: It was a talk show with sock puppets, people. What more do you want?

Why it's not on DVD: Music rights, MTV's general reluctance to jump on the DVD bandwagon, and the fact that "S&O" devotees—they refer to themselves as "sockheads"—are few and far between mean only the “lost episodes” are on DVD. Seasons one and two? Still MIA.

TV DVD substitute: “Mystery Science Theater 3000” may not seem like an appropriate fit, but you’d be surprised at how easily sock puppets can be substituted for robots made of household appliances.

 

MTV's "The State"

Why it should be on DVD: Most of today's alternative comedy—Judd Apatow projects not excluded—draw some inspiration from MTV's mid-'90s attempt at sketch TV. "The State" didn't last long, but it offers an early glimpse at folks like Michael Ian Black, Kerri Kenney and David Wain.

Why it's not on DVD: "The State" featured a lot of music, and we all know what MTV thinks about music. The network thinks buying the song rights is too much hassle to justify releasing the show's one season.

TV DVD substitute: Most "State" players have all found their way to Comedy Central series like "Reno 911!" and "Stella."

 

"The Larry Sanders Show"

Why it should be on DVD: “Larry Sanders” brought Garry Shandling’s welcome return to the tube and made HBO the go-to network for entertainment industry self-mockery by making way for shows like “Entourage,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Extras.”

Why it's not on DVD: It kind of is. HBO has packaged a “Best of” and a limited release of the first season, but they still won’t comment on releasing the entire collection.

TV DVD substitute: Whip-smart humor and a late-night show setting make “30 Rock” an acceptable replacement for “Larry”—even if Liz Lemon isn’t allowed to swear.