CHECK IT OUT:

Tired of grainy television reruns, silly “gladiators” and past ice skating competitions? Do you long to see a new series offering exciting plots, great characterizations, skilled actors and sparkling settings?

The answer for TiVo malaise is finding compelling television on DVD at the library.

Explore forgotten classics, HBO productions and the best of the BBC. Here’s a sampling made for the small-screen. The librarian at the information desk will be happy to suggest titles also. Just ask!

The Newport Beach Public Library and its branches will be closed Monday for the President’s Day holiday.

The book drops remain available at all locations for returned items. All locations open at the regularly, scheduled hours on Tuesday.

“Rosemary & Thyme” directed by Tom Clegg and Brian Farnham: The coziest of mysteries series features Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris as two avid gardeners turned amateur detectives digging up plots and sniffing out clues in the English countryside. Flower beds, orchards, kitchen herb gardens or perennial drifts; this duo solves the crime while revealing the pleasures of gardening and finding footprints.

“The Inspector Lynley Mysteries” produced by Ruth Baumgarten: A joint effort from the BBC and WGBH/Boston, this series originally aired as a “Mystery! ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre” presentation hosted by Diana Rigg. Based on the mystery novels by Agatha Award Winner and Huntington Beach resident Elizabeth George, these faithful renditions retain all the graphic realities of the books and star handsome Nathaniel Parker as Thomas Lynley.

“The Sopranos” produced by Brad Grey: This multi-Emmy winning series from HBO Original Programming redefined the made-for-TV genre. Meet Tony Soprano and his family as he reveals practically all to his shrink in this gangster-ridden, tough-talking, Mafioso-influenced series of wise guys and made men.

“24” produced by Brian Grazer: Kiefer Sutherland stars as Jack Bauer, head of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit. In a heart-pounding 24-hour marathon, Jack deals with contemporary terrorist-prevention situations in a post-9/11 world. Originally broadcast by Fox Home Entertainment, this is a perfect antidote to the above title.

“Little Britain” produced by Myfanwy Moore: Off-the-wall comedy from BBC Television, this series features over-the-top trailer trash in impossible-to-describe situations that could occur only in England. Eccentric and delightfully weird in a now-for-something-completely-different sort of way.

“Entourage” written by Doug Ellin, et al.: A Los Angeles man hits the big-time as an actor, but every big shot needs his posse, right? And an agent? And lots of laughs? Adrian Grenier and Kevin Connolly star in this series originally broadcast on HBO.

“Ballykissangel” written by Kieran Prendiville and John Forte: Settle down with a cup o’ tea for a tender BBC production about an English parish priest who is assigned to a rural congregation in Northern Ireland. Discover why this series has a loyal following.

“This is Tom Jones” directed by Jon Scoffield: What’s new pussycat? This variety-show format television series, hosted by a youthful Tom Jones shows its 1969 style with highlights that feature when-they-were-young musicians such as The Who, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin and Little Richard, to name a few and comedians like Richard Pryor and Peter Sellers. Simply amazing.

CHECK IT OUT is written by Newport Beach Public Library staff. This week’s column is by reference librarian Mary Ellen Bowman. Use your Newport Beach Public Library card to reserve these titles at www.newportbeachlibrary.org or call (949) 717-3800 and press 2.