Hearing about the Carol Burnett throwback “Carol +2: The Original Queens of Comedy’’ (1966), we couldn’t help but wonder: How did this one end up relegated to entertainment-footnote status? Before Burnett’s signature show debuted in 1967, she warmed up with a one-shot CBS special, a dream-teaming with Lucille Ball that also featured Tevye-of-Broadway Zero Mostel. Lucy even gets into the Charwoman act with Burnett in one of the skits, scrounging cigarette butts and talking Cary Grant contract strategy as the pair make their late-night cleaning rounds of studio offices. Still, what’s almost as surprising as the program’s lost-episode status is how one of Mostel’s bits steals the show. (Not “If I Were a Rich Man,’’ although he does bust out with a rendition.) We’re still confused about whether the venerable funnyman’s mind-boggling comb-over is part of the comedy, but there are definitely some enduring laughs in Mostel and Burnett’s portrayal of a schlubby, bickering married couple. His preferred endearment: “Shaddup!’’ Hers: “Drop dead!’’ The vault minders at Time Life have given us some welcome reissues of Burnett’s series over the last few years, but nothing rarer than this. Now if only they can make kids and grandkids understand that Tim Conway isn’t just the voice of Barnacle Boy on “SpongeBob’’. . . Extras: The disc also includes the 1972 telefilm “Once Upon a Mattress,’’ with Burnett reprising her 1959 Tony-nominated role as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, and a segment on her first appearance as the Charwoman, in a 1963 showcase. (Time Life, $12.95)
HORROR
THE WITCH (2016)
New Hampshire native Robert Eggers lends a uniquely transportive feel to his portrait of an early-17th-century Puritan family living on the edge of the wilderness and gradually descending into madness. The story isn’t directly tied to the dark history of the witch trials, which came later. But this indie standout crafts such authentic period foreboding it hardly needs the familiar setting to give us the creeps. In fact, the film is better for it. Extras: commentary by Eggers; Salem panel Q&A. (Lionsgate, $19.98; Blu-ray, $24.99)
TELEVISION
COP ROCK: THE COMPLETE SERIES (1990)
Long before there was ShondaLand, Bochco-Land was the TV locality where seemingly any and every property would get snapped right up by network execs. That includes Steven Bocho’s ill-fated mash-up of cop drama and musicals, now making its DVD debut. Ahead of its time, or still a bad idea? While you mull it over, you can also pass the time playing Who Knew?, and spotting familiar faces like James McDaniel (Bochco’s “NYPD Blue’’), Ronny Cox (“Beverly Hills Cop’’), and Paul McCrane (“ER’’). Extras: new interviews with Bochco and series star Anne Bobby. (Shout! Factory, $29.93)
Titles are in stores Tuesday.
Tom Russo can be reached at trusso2222@gmail.com.
