Coming Up: "Louie," "The Big C" and "Melissa and Joey" Debut

Some of the best shows in TV are being made for cable. That's not news, but the sheer scale of interesting TV drama and comedy off-network is growing all the time. These recent announcements of TV on DVD releases – all shows made for pay and commercial cable – hint at the variety of offerings out there.

"Louie: Season 1" (Fox) is the acclaimed new series created by and starring Louis C.K., a mix of stand-up and scripted comedy inspired in part by the comedian's life as a single father and working comedian. Made for FX, the original series became one of the critical hits of 2010, thanks to Louis' use of humor to explore and investigate touchy social issues. The first season of 13 episodes arrives on DVD and Blu-ray on June 21

"The Glades: The Complete First Season" (Fox) is the new A&E crime show created by Clifton Campbell ("White Collar") and starring Matt Passmore as a Chicago homicide detective sent to the hinterlands of the Florida Everglades. It is slated for DVD release from Fox on June 14

"The Big C: The Complete First Season" (Sony) is the new Showtime half-hour dramedy starring Laura Linney as a teacher who faces cancer by embracing her inner wild woman. Diagnosis: June 7.

"Melissa and Joey: Season One, Part One" (Shout! Factory), TV Land's second original sitcom, stars sitcom vets Melissa Joan Hart as the sudden guardian of her school-age niece and nephew and Joey Lawrence as her unconventional male nanny. The first 12 episodes arrive on DVD on May 24.

"The Wild Thornberrys: Season One" (Shout! Factory), Nickelodeon's hit animated series of the 1990s, arrives on DVD as a complete season for the first time on May 17.

Plus these shows are returning with new seasons:

June 7

"Breaking Bad: The Complete Third Season" (Sony), with two-time Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston

"White Collar: Season 2" (Fox)

"Burn Notice: Season 4" (Fox)

"Leverage: The Third Season" (Paramount)

May 31

"Psych: The Complete Fifth Season" (Universal)