As NBC prepares for life after "Will & Grace," "Friends" and "Frasier," you can't help but think, "Hey, maybe they should bring back 'NewsRadio.'" A sitcom somewhat ahead of its time, which lasted five seasons and roughly 97 episodes from 1995-1999, it's an odd mix of standard sitcom tropes fused with a distinctly off-the-wall sense of humor; in the vein of the recently departed "Arrested Development," you have to pay attention during "NewsRadio" to appreciate the biting subtlety of Paul Simms' creation but if that's too taxing, fret not: invariably, a well-timed piece of slapstick will come along.

"NewsRadio" had the good fortune to have assembled on its sets a veritable galaxy of comedy stars: Phil Hartman, Dave Foley, Stephen Root, Andy Dick, Maura Tierney, Joe Rogan, Vicki Lewis and Khandi Alexander are a tight ensemble that radiate chemistry, which only further enables the show's oddball sensibility. For a show ostensibly about the foibles and follies of the staff of a New York City radio station, "NewsRadio" chases its narratives down some occasionally downright bizarre back alleys. Case in point? "Chock," an episode about midway through this fourth season (in my opinion, the show's finest, sharpest and most consistent), finds beleaguered news director Dave Nelson (Foley) being more or less stalked by three former members of an acappella group. Sounds random on paper, but plays out hilariously. This season also features a bevy of guest stars, many from the world of stand-up (and various cult TV shows), which helps deepen the off-kilter goofiness that much more.

It also bears mentioning that this fourth season of "NewsRadio" was Phil Hartman's last – he was tragically and senselessly murdered by his wife in May 1998, while the series was on hiatus. It gutted the show creatively, as Hartman was arguably the heart and soul of the ensemble. They attempted to carry on without Hartman, using Jon Lovitz to replace him, but it just wasn't the same. "NewsRadio" was cancelled after its fifth season, making this fourth season, in retrospect, a bittersweet swan song and a tantalizing look at what might have been, had the world not suffered the untimely loss of such comedic brilliance as Hartman's. Nevertheless, these 22 episodes stand as some of the finest television comedy ever committed to film and this set is a no-brainer for fans, with many endlessly quotable and classic episodes found within.

The fourth season of NewsRadio is spread across three discs by Sony and is packaged in a cardboard slipcase housing two slimline cases.

Disc One:

Jumper
The ever-pompous Bill McNeal (Hartman) tries to make himself an on-air hero by venturing out onto a ledge, simultaneously saving and interviewing a suicidal man (guest star Jon Lovitz) determined to kill himself. (Features commentary from executive producer/creator Simms, script supervisor Robert Spina, post production coordinator Todd "Spider" Chambers, writer/producer Joe Furey, Tierney and second assistant director Michael Risner.)

Planbee
Billionaire station owner Jimmy James (Root) hires Andrea, an efficiency expert (guest star Lauren Graham) to spend some time with the WNYX staff and isolate the least productive employee for possible termination. (Features commentary from Simms, Chambers and Furey.)

The Public Domain
After being canned, the hapless Matthew Brock (Dick) attempts to get re-hired while Dave attempts to prove his worth as news director to efficiency expert Andrea (guest star Lauren Graham). (Features commentary from Simms, Furey, writer/producer Al Higgins, writer/producer Lew Morton and Root.)

Super Karate Monkey Death Car
A fan favorite, this episode finds the staff preparing themselves for a lie detector test administered efficiency expert Andrea (guest star Lauren Graham), while Matthew works on getting his job back and Jimmy prepares for a reading of his new book, freshly translated from English to Japanese back to English. (Features commentary from Simms, Furey, Higgins, Morton and Root.)

French Diplomacy
In an effort to prove to efficiency expert Andrea (guest star Lauren Graham) that he's incompetent as Bill's producer, Dave allows Bill to incite an outbreak of violence through his on-air commentaries.

Pure Evil
Lisa Miller (Tierney) is frazzled as the new boss, while Dave begins plotting to get back his job and with no other options, Matthew begins spending the night at the station.

Catherine Moves On
Catherine Duke (Alexander) is taking a job in England and everyone at WNYX has differing accounts of her last day in the office - much to Jimmy's chagrin. (Features commentary from Simms, Spina, Chambers, Furey and actress Vicki Lewis.)

Stupid Holiday Charity Talent Show
Jimmy gives Dave an ultimatum: if he can win the corporate charity talent show, Jimmy will give Matthew his old job back. Dave is confident until he encounters a nemesis from his past (guest star Scott McDonald). (Features commentary from Simms, associate producer Julie Bean, Furey, writer/producer Josh Lieb, Higgins and Morton.)

The Secret of Management
Lisa is becoming comfortable with Dave's former job, but becomes jealous of him when she learns that Jimmy has taught him the mysterious "secret of management."

Disc Two:

Look Who's Talking
Yearning to experience fatherhood, Bill decides to adopt a child, despite Lisa and Dave's protestations, while Jimmy enlists Beth's help with a swanky charity bachelor auction.

Chock
On his 32nd birthday, Dave receives some unexpected guests at the station: three former members of the ill-fated acappella group Chock Full o' Notes (guest stars David Cross, Bob Odenkirk and Brian Posehn), who insist the group has a chance to reunite. (Features commentary from Simms, Spina, Chambers, Furey, Foley and Lewis.)

Who's The Boss?
Fed up with pressure, Lisa and Dave join forces to teach the meddling Bill a lesson by making him responsible for the office, while a labor strike pits Joe against Jimmy.

Who's The Boss?, Part II
Fed up with the inter-office bickering, Jimmy decides to hold an election to determine who will remain WNYX's news director: Lisa or Dave. (Features commentary from Simms, Bean, Furey, Lieb and Higgins.)

Security Door
Highly paranoid about objects being stolen from his office, Dave installs a high-tech security door that proves to be far more problematic than he expected.

Big Brother
Matthew joins a local Big Brother program, but not with some difficulties and mix-ups while Bill is on a mission to convince Dave that Lisa is seeing someone else.

Beep, Beep
For Matthew's birthday, Jimmy gives him a mini toy car to drive around the office, which leads to catastrophe while the billionaire also works to rekindle Dave and Lisa's love life.

Balloon
Despite much promotion, Dave is shocked to learn that Jimmy's around-the-world balloon flight is an utter sham.

Copy Machine
When a little known employee dies, handyman Joe Garelli (Rogan) steps forward to take responsibility for the man's death. (Features commentary from Simms, Chambers, Furey and Lewis.)

Disc Three:

Monster Rancher
Dave must hire Jimmy's nephew Walt (guest star Brad Rowe), while Matthew unexpectedly develops a crush on Lisa.

4:20
Bill attempts to intervene when Jimmy's nephew Walt (guest star Brad Rowe) asks Lisa out and Jimmy arranges for Matthew and Joe to compete in an Ultimate Fighting match.

Jackass Junior High
Lisa resents being treated as just "one of the guys" while Beth (Lewis) is away on vacation.

Sinking Ship
True to bizarre form in this season finale, the cast of "NewsRadio" re-enacts the sinking of the Titanic. (Features commentary from Simms, Spina, Chambers, Furey, Lewis and Risner.)

The DVD

Presented as originally broadcast in 1.33 fullscreen, "NewsRadio" looks crisp and clean – there's no noise or other significant visual defect to distract from this occasionally soft image. Most fans of the show should be perfectly happy with what's offered here.

Again, as originally broadcast, Dolby 2.0 stereo is the only option available and it's perfectly serviceable – the laugh track has a tendency to come on a little strong and there's often a little too much boom in the low end, but otherwise the witty repartee is heard clearly and with no distortion. Oddly, only Portuguese subtitles are included.

As with previous seasons of "NewsRadio," die-hard fans may thirst for more, but what's included on these sets isn't too shabby - just remember, kids: it could always be bare-bones. Ten commentary tracks are included here (as noted above) and while that's less than half of the 22 episodes, the tracks are quality and worth spending time with. The bulk of the special features are found on the third disc: a 19 minute "Fourth Season Gag Reel," a marginally amusing short film running four minutes, 25 seconds titled "Fourth Season One Man NewsRadio," features Simms starring as every character (although the final scene is pretty funny) with trailers for The Boonducks, Dynamic Duos, The King of Queens, Seinfeld and Great TV Families rounding out the set.

"NewsRadio" is a classic, underappreciated sitcom from NBC's halcyon era of "Must-See TV" in the mid-to-late Nineties; a show with a rabid fanbase, this fourth season features the series' sharpest, most consistent comedy as well as the final episodes of Phil Hartman. Despite the funereal air of watching this comedic genius near the peak of his skills only makes you appreciate this wacky gem all the more. Highly recommended.