Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: The Second Season

Now 17, Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart, who achieved ‘tween queen status for her iconic role in the Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains It All) is no longer the new kid at school, has a “great boyfriend,” and is adjusting to being a witch. But she still has a lot to learn about coming to terms with her powers and the consequences of using (and misusing) them. In addition to some clever writing and Hart's further maturation as a comic actress, the 1997-98 second season also benefited from the addition of some veteran character actors, including Second City and Saturday Night Live ensemble member Mary Gross as teacher Mrs. Quick, Martin Mull as the new principal, and Alimi Ballard as the Quizmaster, whose tests and assignments Sabrina must complete to obtain her witch's license. Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick return as Sabrina's mentoring aunts, as does Nick Bakay as the voice of the wisecracking cursed cat Salem. Lindsay Sloane is Valerie, the misfit new girl at school whom the now more confident Sabrina befriends, while cameos from the likes of Erik Estrada, Drew Carey, Johnny Mathis, the Backstreet Boys, and 10,000 Maniacs abound. The season finale finds Sabrina torn between her rather dim jock boyfriend Harvey (Nate Richert) and Dashiell (Donald Faison from Scrubs), a fellow witch she met in the “Outer Realm.” Compiling all 26 episodes on an extra-less four-disc set, this is hardly must-see TV, but the series is fondly remembered by children of the ‘90s, and Sabrina is a spellbinding role model. A strong optional purchase. (D. Liebenson)