One series returns in search of redemption. The other returns in hopes of maintaining momentum. And this Sunday they both arrive -- both of them, in coming back, are up to their old tricks...

2012

Mar

I LOVE AMC'S 'MAD MEN,' BUT CAN'T TELL YOU WHY By David Bianculli

It takes 22 months to give birth to an elephant -- so by that measure, the 17-month wait for a new season of AMC's Mad Men is no big deal. And yes, this Sunday's two-hour Season 5 premiere is worth the wait. Though there are so many secrets begging to be held here, I can't really tell you why...

2012

Mar

'FROZEN PLANET' IS REALLY COOL TV - BUT LOOKS BETTER THAN IT SOUNDS By David Bianculli

Frozen Planet, the latest nature documentary series co-production between the BBC and Discovery Channel, premieres in the United States with a Sunday night doubleheader that is astoundingly gorgeous. But once again, at the same time Discovery rewards our intelligence by scheduling a nonfiction series this good, it also insults us -- by swapping narrators for American ears...

2012

Mar

CALLING ALL READERS! LET YOUR DAY JOB BE A TICKET TO A TVWW GUEST COLUMN By David Bianculli

The next incarnation of TV WORTH WATCHING really, truly is coming -- maybe a month or so away, at this point, but closer all the time. And we're making room, among other things, for one new feature that will allow us to take advantage of you. Yes, you. In a way we hope you'll enjoy...

2012

Mar

HBO SARAH PALIN DOCUDRAMA, 'GAME CHANGE,' IS FAIR AND BALANCED By David Bianculli

There's one quick and easy way to distinguish my critique of HBO's Game Change, the new telemovie about Sarah Palin's foray into national politics in the 2008 presidential election, from those of most of the criticisms leveled by conservative commentators, political insiders, and even Palin herself. I've actually seen the damned thing...

2012

Mar

BOLDLY GO TO NPR'S 'FRESH AIR' TODAY, AND HEAR MY INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM SHATNER By David Bianculli

On the Tuesday, Mar. 6 edition of NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, the second half of the show is devoted to my interview, conducted last week, with an actor, an author, a Broadway star, recording artist, movie actor, commercial spokesperson and TV icon. And they're all the same guy -- William Shatner...

2012

Mar

TEN YEARS ON, HBO'S 'REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER' IS REAL GOOD By David Bianculli

As part of its 10th-anniversary celebration, HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher has been prefacing each show with a short, outrageously entertaining clip from its archives. Based on how good the current installments have been, there will be no shortage of similar highlights to showcase in the future...

2012

Mar

HEY, HEY, IT'S THE MONKEES -- MY MEMORIES OF DAVY JONES AND COMPANY By David Bianculli

Wednesday's death of Davy Jones hit the media hard, and hit us here at TVWW as well. Managing editor Diane Werts has written a wonderful For Better or Werts column explaining, extolling and encapsulating the Monkees and their impact and influence...And I have my own memories and observations to add as well -- starting with the fact that, when I was a young teen, The Monkees were the first group I ever saw in concert. I even remember, quite well, their opening act that day in Miami on July 9, 1967. It was a guy named Jimi Hendrix...

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