"What’cha got there? Something good?"

My neighbor is peeking at a red Netflix envelope I’ve just yanked from the mailbox. He’s only making small talk, but I feel violated: Aren’t DVD selections, like PIN numbers and bra sizes, supposed to be kept private?

Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show is the all-time most popular TV series on DVD, with more than 2 million sold.

"Uh, I can’t remember," I tell him, backing away. "See ya!"

The truth is, I know exactly what’s in the envelope. I just figured a guy who reads Forbes and swaths himself in khaki wouldn’t know how to respond if I’d exclaimed, "Angel -season five, disc three!"

More than half the DVDs I rent, and buy, are TV series. After Angel, I’ll dig in to cult ’60s show The Prisoner, the first two seasons of Alias, the second season of The Wire, the third season of Seinfeld, the fourth season of The Simpsons and the first season of All in the Family. The queue goes on.

It doesn’t help my habit that series are coming to DVD faster than ever. Collections from at least 15 shows arrived in stores this week, including 21 Jump Street, Felicity and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. By the end of the month, first seasons of Hogan’s Heroes, Doogie Howser and Kojak will be available on disc.

DVDs don’t just make watching TV shows more convenient; they change the entire viewing experience. While I caught many episodes of Angel on the WB, for instance, watching them in long, commercial-free chunks sucks me into the action more intensely. I catch references I missed the first time around. Characters seem more complex, and dialogue sounds smarter than when it was crammed between Taco Bell and tampon ads.

You could say it’s almost like watching a movie.

Later this month, 20th Century Fox will try to convert more TV fans into DVD buyers by selling series "starter sets." The concept: For $9.99, customers can buy the first two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or 24. If they like what they see, an enclosed coupon gives them $10 off the full season set.

I, too, want more people to understand my obsession with TV DVDs. So far my Wire-loving husband, Gilmore Girls-y mother and Poirot-ish father have seen the light. (Related chat: Talk to me about DVDs and other stuff at 1 p.m. ET)

Here are a few tips, if you’re into ...

... gathering clues, you must check out Twin Peaks. (The first season came out in 2001; the second season is finally in the works.) No matter how many times I follow the giant, Bob and the backwards-talking dwarf, I always discover a hidden gem - and, at this point, I’ve watch the series at least 10 times. Clue-filled DVD sets from Lost and Desperate Housewives are due in the fall.

... reminiscing about the ’80s, you might dig the second season of Punky Brewster. Seriously. It contains several classic episodes, including one about the pill-popping "Chicklets" and another about Cherie getting locked inside a refrigerator. Then there’s always Miami Vice and the animated Jem, which has truly, truly, truly outrageous bonus features.

... shows that nobody saw, look into Joss Whedon’s Firefly. Prematurely canceled by the Fox network, the unaired episodes are available on DVD and are a perfect preview to Whedon’s Firefly movie, Serenity, due in September. Also, Wonderfalls, another show Fox axed too early, features nine unaired episodes in its recent set. (Scroll to the Pop Question to see how you can win a copy.)

... laughing ’til you ache, you could try Chappelle’s Show, but since it’s the top-selling TV DVD of all time, you probably have already. I recommend the fourth season of David Cross and Bob Odenkirk’s Mr. Show.

... adult-oriented animation, you won’t be disappointed by anything from the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim lineup; namely, Aqua Teen Hunger Force (I prefer the first volume), SeaLab 2021 (season two) and Home Movies. Also, the BBC’s Rex the Runt is good for a Sunday afternoon laugh, especially if you enjoy clay figurines who sing opera and talking Easter Island heads.

... getting the whole story , watch Arrested Development, Buffy and My So-Called Life, all series where you can’t afford to miss an episode. Unlike the VHS version, the My So-Called Life DVDs offer all of the episodes in the series.

... experiencing extras, I can’t tell you how much I adore the commentary and features in the gigantic Freaks and Geeks DVD set. The Office also offers cheeky bonus material, like the music video for Freelove Freeway. The fact that both are perfect shows goes without saying.

All my DVD desires won’t be fulfilled until release dates for The State, Undeclared, Square Pegs and Maude are announced. As for my neighbor, I have a hunch he’s counting the days (or years) until L.A. Law is finally put on DVD.

And who knows? By then I might be persuaded to indulge in a little khaki and Corbin Bernsen, too.