Tonight's TV choices include several last-minute prime-time additions, programmed by their respective networks to honor recently deceased stars. Turner Classic Movies presents three movies by Cyd Charisse, and Home Box Office repeats George Carlin's final standup comedy special. These are very welcome moves, and ones from which other networks could learn a valuable lesson...

2008

Jun

FOR SUMMER-STARVED QUALITY TV FANS, ABC'S "HOPKINS" IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED By David Bianculli

There are other places today where I'm talking excitedly and approvingly about "Hopkins," the new six-part ABC documentary series premiering tonight at 10 ET. ...But here, I want to rave a little more, for a few other reasons...

2008

Jun

ABC'S "JAPANESE GAME SHOW" IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED, BUT "WIPEOUT" IS EVEN WORSE By David Bianculli

"Wipeout" and "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," ABC's new series premiering last night, weren't sent out in advance for critics to preview -- no doubt because ABC figured there was little point. And yes, "Wipeout" was even more horrendous and repulsive than expected -- but "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" -- and I'm as shocked to write this...

2008

Jun

LOTS TO COVER: YOUR "GET SMART" GUESSES, YOUR WEBSITE AD ADVICE, "P.O.V." AND THOUGHTS ON GEORGE CARLIN AND TOM BROKAW By David Bianculli

First things first. I'm absolutely blown away by the thoughtfulness, support and incredibly high caliber of writing in your emails to me about my website advertising dilemma. Anyone reading your comments to yesterday's blog should be convinced, beyond any doubt, what a smart and discerning bunch of people are visiting this website...

2008

Jun

CAN I BE TRUSTED TO ACCEPT -- AND DECLINE -- ADS? I NEED YOUR "P.O.V." By David Bianculli

David's blog about bringing advertising from network shows to TVWW pages elicited a spirited discussion about impartiality, integrity and for-profit journalism. One reader wrote to David: "You have an amazing amount of credibility. I and, I assume all of your other readers, trust you very much to remain unbiased in your reviews." Another wrote: "Ever since I started reading your blog (after hearing you several times on "Fresh Air"), it has become one I check daily for recommendations on what to watch..."

2008

Jun

"GET SMART" MOVIE -- YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT... By David Bianculli

Yesterday, I told you what I think of the new movie remake of the classic "Get Smart" spy spoof TV series. Now, because I'm really curious about how it will play with audiences, I'd like to know what YOU think...

2008

Jun

"GET SMART" MOVIE REMAKE: SORRY ABOUT THAT, CHIEF By David Bianculli

There are moments of the new "Get Smart" movie, which opens tonight at midnight, that are truly funny -- a sight gag here, a sly reference there, a perfectly delivered line of dialogue over there. And just before it ends, there's a cameo appearance that absolutely screams for a sequel...But in the end...

2008

Jun

GOOD DVD FOR A SLOW SUMMER: "CALIFORNICATION" By David Bianculli

Showtime's cable and satellite network reaches about 15 million subscribers, which means the vast majority of America hasn't seen its programming firsthand. That's why secondhand, which means DVD releases, is so meaningful -- and why today's DVD release of the first season of" Californication" is such good news.

2008

Jun

TIM, TIGER, THE TONYS AND KOBE: WHAT A FATHER'S DAY FOR TV... By David Bianculli

From morning until midnight, broadcast TV yesterday provided one memorable, riveting Father's Day offering after another. Tim Russert, saluted on "Meet the Press"...

2008

Jun

FATHER'S DAY CHOICES: REMEMBERING OLD BROADWAY, OLD TV, AND OLD TV DADS By David Bianculli

Father's Day is Sunday, and this year, it seems, it's a day to wallow in nostalgia, on or about TV. Sunday night offers competing prime-time awards shows: "The Tony Awards" on CBS, featuring an amazing competition among Broadway musical revivals, and the "TV Land Awards," a nonstop stroll down TV's memory lane...

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David Bianculli

Founder / Editor

David Bianculli has been a TV critic since 1975, including a 14-year stint at the New York Daily News, and sees no reason to stop now. Currently, he's TV critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and is an occasional substitute host for that show. He's also an author and teaches TV and film history at New Jersey's Rowan University. His 2009 Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', has been purchased for film rights. His latest, The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to the Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, is an effusive guidebook that plots the path from the 1950s’ Golden Age to today’s era of quality TV.

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