The Media Tourist

ABC’s 1980s late-night answer to ‘Saturday Night Live’

The Best of Fridays

DVD $34.99 (Shout! Factory)

Launched as ABC’s weekend counterpart to NBC’s runaway hit Saturday Night Live, this 1980-82 series proved that the weekend was big enough—at least for a while—for two edgy sketch-comedy variety shows. Though relative short-lived, Fridays featured a parade of hip musical acts like Devo, The Cars and The Clash, and kept audiences laughing into the wee hours with the antics of a talented ensemble cast that included Larry David and Michael Richards, who’d both later shine as the co-creator and one of the stars of Seinfeld. This bonus-packed collection includes 16 full episodes, a cast and writers’ reunion, and other goodies.

—Neil Pond, American Profile Magazine

Jeremy Irons stars as corrupt head of papal empire

The Borgias: The Third Season

Blu-ray $74 / DVD $56 (CBS Home Entertainment)

On this hit Showtime series, Jeremy Irons plays the cunning, conspiratorial patriarch of a 17^th century Italian papal empire driven for riches and power. Is there any sin he and his manipulative family won’t commit to get what they crave in their bloody, violent quest for more of everything? In addition to all 10 episodes of the third season, this set also includes bloopers and two promo episodes of Showtime’s new series “Ray Donovan.”

—Neil Pond, American Profile Magazine