Friday, Nov. 11, I return to NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross as a guest host. But today, the day before, I’m scheduled to show up as a guest guest – with Terry interviewing me about my new Platinum Age of Television book…

2016

Nov

NATURE: "THE STORY OF CATS" By David Bianculli

Part 2. This is the conclusion of this two-part Nature documentary, in which it tells, in an hour called Into the Americas, the story of how cats came to the United States. Easy answer: From London to Broadway, with help from Grizabella and the Rum Tum Tugger. Check local listings.

2016

Nov

DESIGNATED SURVIVOR By David Bianculli

When the season began, this ABC series presented a fictional narrative, set in Washington, D.C., that seemed to depict the most unexpected political disaster imaginable. Today, nearly half the country now is likely to push Designated Survivor to second place – while the other half, plus a few more, has reason to be jubilant. And so it goes, this thing called democracy. Kiefer Sutherland stars.

2016

Nov

SOUTH PARK By David Bianculli

South Park has spent all season on a continuing narrative about “member berries,” a mind-altering talking fruit that, when ingested, turns nostalgia into xenophobia, sexism and racism. And the story continues tonight, perhaps with more resonance than ever.

2016

Nov

AMERICAN HORROR STORY 6 By David Bianculli

One of the most interesting things about this latest edition of American Horror Story is its story structure, which presents its haunted-house tale via the structure of a reality-show recreation program. So, for example, you have a character named Shelby, played by Lily Rabe, and the actress “playing” Shelby in a reality-show recreation, played by Sarah Paulson. It’s a very clever framing device, and has become even more interesting as the series has evolved, hinting that the s

2016

Nov

FULL FRONTAL WITH SAMANTHA BEE By David Bianculli

Samantha Bee, in her final pre-election special, let loose a torrent of Donald Trump epithets that seemed to be one step from endless. In tonight’s post-election special, how in the world will she react now?

2016

Nov

THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT By David Bianculli

Last night, on his uncensored Showtime special, Colbert and his guests were subdued, almost shocked – because by 11 p.m. ET, when their live special was televised, the Trump-is-winning writing was on the wall. So what will the tone be like tonight, back on CBS for another live special? It’ll be interesting, that’s for certain. Colbert’s guests include Miles Teller, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and, most likely, the most quotable guest of the evening, Robert Smigel with his hand-p

2016

Nov

MANY HAPPY (ELECTION) RETURNS By Eric Gould

It was a long, strange election year and one which set many milestones for television political coverage. Hosting his election night special, Stephen Colbert riffed his way through a few impromptu reasons why some of us might feel a little too wired, too plugged in, and too righteous about our political side of the spectrum…

2016

Nov

BROADCAST NETWORK ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE By David Bianculli

Once upon a time, broadcast TV news coverage of election returns was the only game in town. Now it’s just one game among many, but there are times when Monopoly and Sorry are fun to play, if only for old time’s sake. (And this year, without getting too political, Monopoly and Sorry seem like particularly appropriate pastimes.) After evening newscasts, special political coverage by the respective broadcast networks begins at 7 p.m. ET, under their individual banners and names. A

2016

Nov

ELECTION NIGHT 2016 By David Bianculli

MSNBC’s packaged umbrella coverage of Election Day 2016 gets an hour jump on its competition at CNN and Fox News – though over on those networks, news, by any other name, will be delivered simultaneously. Just in slightly different flavors. Please sample them all. Think of Election Night coverage as a buffet, not a binge. Hop around. Nibble. And save room for dessert, with Stephen Colbert on Showtime...

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