Los Angeles — DreamWorks is making its first foray into the burgeoning TV-to-DVD genre with the two-volume release of Michael J. Fox's 20 favorite Spin City episodes on a total of four discs to be released Aug. 26.

"I think having the opportunity to have such a beloved actor as Michael J. Fox handpick his favorite episodes and participate to such an extent is truly unique," DreamWorks domestic marketing chief Kelly Sooter said.

While the hottest trend in the fast-growing TV-to-DVD genre typically involves the release of complete seasons in a multidisc single-box set retailing for an average of about $50, DreamWorks has decided to put its own spin on selling Spin City: Michael J. Fox — His All Time Favorites to DVD consumers.

Instead of pursuing the popular seasonal approach, Sooter and others at DreamWorks have decided to create a marketing strategy that highlights the TV series' stars and possibly prominent guests stars in future DVD releases.

"With Spin City, I believe that we had a unique opportunity to develop a package of TV-to-DVD product that revolves around the phenomenal personalities that make up the show," Sooter said. "We'll see how this goes, and if it's successful, we'll continue to develop more Spin City DVD product along the same star strategy."

That philosophy was rooted in the very crafting of Spin City itself, which was created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, who managed to blend a cadre of new and well-known talent with guest-star appearances in a seamless approach to popular TV comedy, Sooter said.

Fox alludes at that point in one of his many episode introductions on the DVD, saying: "It's been a belief of some that to really stand out as being funny, you should surround yourself with people who aren't. That couldn't be further from the truth. If you want to be funny ... you surround yourself with people who are uniquely funny themselves, and I believe that is what made Spin City so funny to most people."

Each episode is introduced by Fox, who tells viewers why he chose that particular episode and provides a brief back story to each episode of the Emmy-winning TV series.

Some of Fox's top picks for the two DVD volumes include "Meet Tommy Dugan," in which an opinionated school janitor (Woody Harrelson) becomes mayor for a day when he wins an essay contest intended for schoolchildren; "Family Affair, Part 1," in which Mike's (Fox) mom (Meredith Baxter) is visiting for a week and she and the mayor hit it off better than Mike ever imagined or feared; "Family Affair, Part 2," where Mike must choose between protecting his mom and protecting the mayor when he tries to spin the mayor out of a new scandal; "Miracle Near 34th Street," in which Mike scrambles to restore a young boy's faith in Santa Claus after the mayor tells him that he doesn't exist; and "Radio Daze," in which the mayor goes head-to-head with a popular disc jockey.