TV Talk: Gift ideas for TV fans of Mister Rogers, ‘Downton Abbey,’ ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘V’
For the TV fan on your gift-giving list, consider one of these options:
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” — For those who crochet, this Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood crochet set ($25, Thunder Bay Press) includes 12 colors of yarn and step-by-step instructions to crochet Mister Rogers and finger puppet characters from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. (Available at Amazon.com)
“Downton Abbey” — A coffee table book ($30, Weldon Owen) that’s the official film companion to the latest big-screen story that continues the PBS series, this illustrated tome revisits the characters and plot of the movie while offering a glimpse behind the scenes at its production. (Available at Barnes Noble)
“The Six Million Dollar Man”/“The Bionic Woman” — For fans of the ‘70s dynamic duo, the complete series of both programs are on Blu-ray ($190 for “Man;” $160 for “Woman,” Shout! Factory). Both sets include new commentaries on episodes and the hilarious featurette, “Bryan Cranston Gives It to us Straight,” featuring the “Breaking Bad” actor who guest-starred as a doctor in 1987’s “Return of the Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman” TV movie. (Available at Amazon.com)
“Stranger Things” — Revisit the Upside Down with the super-thick (more than three inches!) “Stranger Things” pop-up book ($75, Reinhart Pop-Up Studio) that re-creates scenes at the Palace Arcade and Starcourt Mall as well as pop-ups of the show’s creatures. (Available at Barnes Noble.)
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” — In celebration of the show’s 10th anniversary, Magna-Tiles released this set ($45) that encourages social and emotional learning with the “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” characters. (Available at Amazon.com)
“V” — Remember the original 1980s NBC miniseries and series about alien visitors who were really lizard-like creatures disguised as humans? Somebody at Funko Pop! remembered and there’s a line of “V” vinyl figures ($10-$12 each) sold individually – Mike Donovan, Diana clutching a guinea pig, exposed alien – or as a set. Weirdly, the packaging uses the line “We are of peace always,” which was from the inferior 2009-11 ABC remake and not the original series’ slogan, “The visitors are our friends.” (Available individually at Amazon.com; as a set of three at surethingtoys.com.)
“Ray Donovan: The Complete Series” — Executive produced by Mt. Lebanon native David Hollander (“The Guardian”), the DVD box set ($70, Paramount Home Entertainment) of this drama about a fixer (Live Schreiber) with issues includes the movie finale. (Available at Amazon.com).
“Bridgerton” — Re-live season two of the Regency-era Netflix hit month-by-month with a 2023 calendar ($10) of images from the streaming series. (Available at Wal-Mart.)
“The Walking Dead” — If Hallmark Channel can have a line of wines, and Fox’s “Monarch” gets its own bourbon, why not a “Walking Dead”-inspired Sexton single malt whiskey ($35)? The bottle features a zombie walker’s head in place of the brand’s trademark skeleton logo. (Available to order and ship to states that allow alcohol delivery to residences at ReserveBar.com.)
“Blockbuster” — OK, so the Netflix comedy named after the once-dominant video store chain is not a good show, but that shouldn’t ruin our nostalgia for the real thing. The Blockbuster Trilogy movie trivia set ($35), for ages 14 and up, includes three games that can be played individually or combined. (Available at Amazon.com)
“Call the Midwife” — PBS’s British import inspired a retrospective book, “Call the Midwife: A Labour of Love: Ten Years of Life, Love and Laughter,” ($40, Weldon Owen) written by Stephen McGann, who plays Dr. Turner on the series. (Available at Amazon.com.)
“Melrose Place” — Relive the so-bad-it’s-good era of ‘90s prime-time soaps with a re-release of “Melrose Place: The Complete Series” ($112, Paramount Home Entertainment). (Available at Amazon.com.)
You can reach TV writer Rob Owen at rowen@triblive.com or 412-380-8559. Follow @RobOwenTV on Threads, X, Bluesky and Facebook. Ask TV questions by email or phone. Please include your first name and location.
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