The Simpsons is inarguably one of the most influential television shows in history. Winning countless awards and breaking countless records (including being the longest-running prime-time show in US history), The Simpsons is celebrating twenty years (and twenty-one season – and counting). What better way to celebrate than with the 20th season on Blu-Ray?

Season 20 was the first season The Simpsons went HD (though not until the second half of the season) so it seems fitting that it be the first season released on Blu-Ray. All 21 episodes are spread out on two discs, and look beautiful. The standard def episodes are as crisp and clean as the HD episodes. Interestingly, the audio on the HD episodes sounds flat and tinny – it actually sounds bad. Standard def episodes have audio that is crisp and well-mixed. To add to the disappointment, there are no extras, save for a five-minute preview of the 20th anniversary special directed by Morgan Spurlock. Frankly, I think that “preview” is the opening segment of the show that will air.

I get the feeling that this season was rushed to Blu-Ray to go along with the anniversary. All the early seasons that were on DVD (I think they are up to season 12 currently) are clean, sound good, and have some extras. The people putting together the DVDs took their time. Season 20 feels slap-dash, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they release a new and improved version in a couple of years.

Felt Furnishings: 25 Accessories For Contemporary Homes by Anne Kyyro Quinn is a beautifully illustrated book with patterns and tutorials for making home accessories out of felt. Felt is a great fabric because it is inexpensive, easy to work with, and has come a long way from the inexpensive craft felt from your kindergarten days.

Some favorite projects: the decorative throw pillow with huge ruffled rosette over the front; throw pillow with bulbous, padded pleats down the front; throw blanket with asymmetrical mod circles appliqued over it – and semi-matching throw pillows; table runner with contrasting cut-outs; throw pillow cover made of strips of felt woven and sewn together; spiral-top ottoman; and striped tab-top drapes.

The felt offers a fun, mod feel – perfect for a first apartment or dorm room. Plus, the projects are easy, require little knowledge of sewing, and great directions are included for true sewing beginners like myself.

But with Bolt, that ol’ Disney magic is back – hopefully to stay. Bolt is the star of his own TV show, where he plays a dog with superpowers who is always saving his person, Penny, from the clutches of the evil mad scientists. In order to preserve the “authenticity” of his performance, the producers of the show never let Bolt leave the studio (it’s a kids film, roll with it). When one episode they shoot ends in a cliffhanger, Bolt escapes from his trailer to save Penny, and ends up lost in the real world. He must make his way cross-country to find her, but has no idea that his super powers aren’t real. Along the way, of course, he picks up a couple friends: Mittens, a streetwise alley cat with trust issues, and Rhino, the comic relief hamster in an exercise ball who idolizes Bolt.

It is your typically sweet Disney story, but with a well-crafted script and plenty of humor to keep it from becoming too juvenile. The blu-ray combo pack is loaded with goodies: the film on three different media: blu-ray, DVD, and a digital copy. The Super Rhino short is adorable but way too short. The deleted scenes are fun to watch, though most are just animatics. A slew of behind-the-scenes featurettes include voice over recording sessions with stars John Travolta and Miley Cyrus; how the look of the film was created; and how the film was brainstormed. A music video and a childish video game round out this massive set.

Organize Now! by Jennifer Ford Berry offers many of the same tips and advice. But the big difference in her book is the way it is organized. The spiral-bound book is arranged into seven different areas to focus on: yourself, your papers, your things, your high-traffic areas, your personal spaces, your storage areas, and your special events. Each of these is further broken down into specifics: organize your emails, your recipes, your medicine cabinet, your photographs, etc.

It’s not as overwhelming as it sounds. Each mini-section is its own week. Week 21 is Organize Your Living Room. She offers a check list of a dozen or so goals for the week, such as organizing current magazines in one basket and recycling the rest. There are tips for a tidy living room – like buying a coffee table with drawers for storage. A Stay Organized checklist gives you simple tasks to do once a month, once every six months, and once a year to keep clean and organized. There is even a section for your own notes and to-dos. Each week offers similar tips and advice.

While none of the tips are particularly earth-shattering, the small, focused chapters make it easy to concentrate on one task at a time, and helps prevent against the overwhelming feeling that I know often makes me throw up my hands in disgust and go watch TV.

The 1970s were hit-and-miss. They gave us both punk and disco; they introduced platform shoes – but promptly put “live” goldfish in them (they never lasted long). Enough time has passed that 1970s style is kitschy and fun. Looking for some inspiration? That 70s Show is not the way to go. Try Swingtown instead.

The first season of this CBS drama is now available on DVD. The show focuses on Susan and Bruce, Mr. & Mrs. All-American, with two kids, who move into a new neighborhood after Bruce gets a promotion. Their best friends and former neighbors, Janet and Roger, a very conservative couple, go through separation anxiety, especially when they meet Susan and Bruce’s new neighbors. Tom and Trina are young, attractive, worldly, exciting… and they are swingers. It is an impressively fair portrayal of the pros and cons of an open marriage. Susan and Bruce timidly explore new sexual frontiers, while Tom and Trina start to wonder if their freedom is all it is cracked up to be. Janet and Roger are just trying to figure out where they fit in to the whole thing.

Even if you are not looking to open an orgy house, the show is intriguing, and a visual delight. Who knew that polyester wrap dresses and retro floral prints could be so attractive? Tom and Trina’s house is modern and sexy – not at all the sleazy mirror-and-shag affair you might think.

All 13 first season episodes are packed into this 4-disc set, with room for extras: a making-of documentary, a documentary on sex and morality in the 70s, and a gag reel. The season finale also includes audio commentary and deleted scenes.

Feathered hair never looked so good.

White Christmas

Miracle on 34th Street

Instead, pick up A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All! Stephen Colbert presents an hour-long holiday special that is laugh-out-loud funny and must be seen to be believed. Stephen is in his mountain cabin, getting ready to head out to the city to film his Christmas special. But he is trapped inside by his mortal enemy – a bear! Stephen passes time with visits from Jon Stewart, Willie Nelson, John Legend, Toby Keith, Feist, and Elvis Costello. The special is delightfully campy, taking its cue from cheesy 1970s TV specials.

Bonus features include a book-burning yule log, an extra musical number, and a handful of alternate endings. My favorite is Colbert’s video advent calender. Funnier, and less fattening than traditional chocolate! This is a great alternative to A Charlie Brown Christmas. Bring it to your Christmas celebration – delight your peers and mystify the old folks.

Ah, Stephen Colbert, it truly is the greatest gift of all.

Pick up Stephen’s book I Am America (And So Can You!) and make it a great gift set!