Jimmy Fallon succeeds Conan O'Brien as host of NBC's "Late Night" tonight. It's a battle that won't be won or lost overnight, or in a week or month -- but the battle is waged regardless. And like the opening moves of a chess game, what starts simply soon will lead to tiny, subtle, significant variations...

2009

Feb

NBC NEEDS TO EXTEND ITS "LIFE" By David Bianculli

Against the unstoppable juggernaut of Fox's "American Idol" and the can't-miss mysteries of ABC's "Lost," NBC's "Life" is getting lost in the mix. But it shouldn't be. Its stories, and its actors, are too impressive and likable to go unnoticed...

2009

Feb

NEXT VOLLEYS IN LATE-NIGHT WARS ABOUT TO BE FIRED: JIMMY FALLON OPENS STRONG, BUT CRAIG FERGUSON IS TUTU GOOD By David Bianculli

Last Friday, Conan O'Brien said goodbye to his New York venue and long-running NBC "Late Night" talk show, preparing for a fall move to take over "The Tonight Show." Next Monday, Jimmy Fallon takes O'Brien's slot, and both he and tenured CBS competitor Craig Ferguson are taking the opportunity to define the viewers they're after...

2009

Feb

WHAT THE OSCARS DID RIGHT LAST NIGHT By David Bianculli

Griping about the Oscars the day after is a national pastime and an annual rite. Hugh Jackman, as host, threw more energy into it than anyone since Billy Crystal. And while he's not as funny, his razzle-dazzle dance moves made for some nice, big-stage moments...

2009

Feb

THIS WEEKEND, EVERY NIGHT BRINGS SOMETHING SPECIAL: CONAN FRIDAY, "TAKING CHANCE" SATURDAY, OSCARS SUNDAY By David Bianculli

Every night this weekend, there's a great reason to turn on your TV. Conan O'Brien presides over his final "Late Night" show on Friday, HBO presents the excellent "Taking Chance" telemovie on Saturday, and ABC presents the Oscars on Sunday...

2009

Feb

"AMERICAN IDOL" STILL CONNECTS... AND SERVES UP SOME KARMIC PAYBACK By David Bianculli

"Welcome to season eight!" Ryan Seacrest keeps saying, as contestants make it from one rung to another on the "American Idol" elimination ladder. Last night, the first three singers to make it to the Top 12 were identified -- bringing a new level of drama, as well as competition, to the new season...

2009

Feb

TV WORTH WATCHING GUIDES YOU TO EGUIDERS By David Bianculli

Well, I didn't know this was coming, but I'm thrilled it's here: a new website called eGuiders.com, whose intent is to steer you towards the best of what's out there on the web. It's the Internet equivalent of what we aim to provide here, regarding television, at TV Worth Watching: a guided tour, by people with taste, of the best of what's out there in this nearly infinite world of video entertainment...

2009

Feb

"STEALING LINCOLN'S BODY" IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE -- YET, AMAZINGLY, IT IS By David Bianculli

What were my history teachers doing in high school, that they never bothered to tell me the story of Abraham Lincoln's body being stolen, 11 years after his assassination, and held for ransom? The story told tonight in History Channel's "Stealing Lincoln's Body" is astounding. Unbelievable. And even more unbelievable, for being true...

2009

Feb

FOX'S "DOLLHOUSE" HAS THE FEEL OF JOSS WHEDON'S FOURTH TV TRIUMPH By David Bianculli

It's been five years since Joss Whedon has presented a show on network TV -- and much too long since we've enjoyed weekly doses of entertainment from the deliciously warped brain that gave us "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel" and "Firefly"...

2009

Feb

LETTERMAN SOARS WITH HEROIC US AIRWAYS CREW By David Bianculli

Sunday on "60 Minutes," Katie Couric did a wonderful profile of the US Airways "Miracle on the Hudson" crew by asking the right questions and letting the story tell itself. Tuesday night on another CBS show, David Letterman provided another wonderful hour -- by showing the human, funny side of these everyday heroes...

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