The DVD Beat: Newsradio

What is the funniest sitcom of all time? That's a debate that could go on and on, and I'm not sure I have an answer. But I do know that "Newsradio" would be high up on my list, and I would definately put it down as the most underrated sitcom of all time. And now, after only a five season run in the late nineties and after dissappearing off television in its rerun form, the first two seasons came out on DVD last week.

This might very well be the best ensemble cast ever on a sitcom. Just look at the cast and how successful they all are now. The plot of the show was the daily shenanigans taken place at WNYX, a newsradio station in New York. The cast consisted of:

Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall, Celebrity Poker Showdown) as Dave Nelson, the station's news director.

Maura Tierney (ER) as Lisa Miller, on-air talent and Dave's love interest for most of the show's run.

Phil Hartman (SNL) as Bill McNeil, an arrogant on-air talent who caused more problems than he helped. He unfortunately passed away after the fourth season and was replaced with a new character played by Jon Lovitz, who gave probably his only funny performance of his career.

Andy Dick (The Andy Dick Show) as Matthew, who you're not really sure why the goofball worked there, but Dick gave a nice subdued performance here, and of course in his personal life tried his hardest to become the next Andy Kaufman.

Joe Rogan (Fear Factor) as Joe Garelli, the station's electrician.

Khandi Alexander (CSI:Miami) as Catherine Duke, Bill's sidekick in the newsroom. She would unfortunately leave after the third season.

Vickie Lewis (Finding Nemo) as Beth, Dave's secretary and office whore.

Stephen Root (Office Space,The Ladykillers) as Jimmy James, the station owner.

See, an unbelievable cast. And Root's Jimmy James is by far the funniest character ever to be on a sitcom. It's just one of those shows that if you haven't seen it, you just must to understand why it's so damn funny. I don't think me explaining anything here would do it any justice. It's simply just getting to watch a perfectly suited cast playing off of each other and it works like a son of a bitch. The closest thing to this kind of ensemble in TV today would be "Arressted Development." So, go buy it now; it will be the best thirty bucks you'll spend all year, and for sixty you could probably also snag the first season of "Scrubs," which is also well worth it.