Kathryn Hahn’s performance as the title character here is one of this year’s more unexpected and happy surprises. Her confident and well-timed handling of the comic scenes is the predictable part – but she’s been so good with the winsome, sad, intimate, embarrassing and even fantasy scenes that she brings her character, and this series, fully to life.

2019

Nov

DESPITE ITS 'DOWNTON' PEDIGREE, 'THE CHAPERONE' IS LACKING By David Hinckley

At first blush, The Chaperone might seem like the perfect antidote for PBS viewers suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal...

2019

Nov

BLAZING SADDLES By David Bianculli

It’s now the 45th anniversary of Mel Brooks’ utterly brilliant, astoundingly irreverent 1974 Western spoof, which boasts Richard Pryor as one of its writers. The studio wouldn’t agree to have Pryor play the role of imposing new sheriff “Black” Bart, though, so Cleavon Little, star of Broadway’s Purlie, takes on that part instead – and Gene Wilder, a last-minute co-star as the Waco Kid, is just as hilarious. Then there’s Harvey Korman as H

2019

Nov

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE By David Bianculli

Another member of the Five-Timers Club joins that exclusive Saturday Night fraternity tonight, when former SNL regular Will Ferrell returns to Studio 8-H as guest host for the fifth time. The question is, how many former Five-Timers will show up to present him with his special jacket? Regardless, Ferrell’s achievement is well worth trumpeting. And cowbelling.

2019

Nov

'THE FEED' IS INVENTIVE, DISTURBING, AND PERHAPS A LITTLE FAMILIAR By David Hinckley

Presumably, no TV show has to convince any viewer that information technology could spin out of control and begin causing catastrophic harm...

2019

Nov

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW By David Bianculli

Tonight, Graham Norton’s British TV program makes room for the ultimate talk-show guest: the Queen. Well, not the actual, current Queen of England, but the actress who has taken over the regal role in the new season of Netflix’s The Crown. Yes, Olivia Colman is a scheduled guest tonight, as are Helena Bonham Carter and Chadwick Boseman.

2019

Nov

A HARD DAY'S NIGHT By David Bianculli

Richard Lester directed this 1964 movie musical, one of the best of its genre, and certainly a film that fed as well as dramatized and captured the phenomenon of Beatlemania. (Someone ought to write a book about the impact of the visual artistry of The Beatles – and I’m working on it.) The music, even 55 years later (yes, you read that right), is fresh and fantastic: the title song, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “I Should Have Known Better,” “This Boy,&rdqu

2019

Nov

'CHEAT' IS A CHILLING AND CAPTIVATING THRILLER By David Hinckley

The British psycho-thriller Cheat has moments when it's tough to watch. At the same time, it's impossible not to watch...

2019

Nov

HOUSE IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS By David Bianculli

There’s only one session scheduled for today – a joint session featuring two witnesses. But my, what witnesses. Joint testimony will be given by Fiona Hill, a former White House expert on Russia and Europe, and David Holmes, the embassy official at Kiev who reportedly overheard a cellphone conversation between ambassador Gordon Sondland, who testified yesterday, and President Donald Trump.

2019

Nov

THE GOOD PLACE By David Bianculli

Last week’s episode made it look like the Earth was doomed… but Eleanor (Kristen Bell) comes up with a desperate last-ditch option, which requires the ultra-indecisive Chidi (William Jackson Harper) to formulate a plan to save the planet, under a very intense and literal deadline. Oh, well – whatever happens, at least there’s shrimp…

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