Speaking as a television critic, it's always interesting to find yourself on the opposite side of the fence from the majority of your peers. What do you see or not see that they perceive in so different a light? I'm not just standing on the other side of the fence -- I'm way over on the other side of the field...

2009

Dec

AND THE SMOTHERS STUFF JUST KEEPS ON COMING... NOW, NEW WEB PAGES AT A NEW WEBSITE By David Bianculli

My dual web gurus, Eric Gould and Rich Baniewicz, have done it again: This time they've added new pages to my Smothers Brothers book website, where you can find not only the latest reviews, but the full chapter-by-chapter detailed notes...

2009

Dec

"DANGEROUSLY FUNNY" UPDATE, BUT ALSO BACK TO BUSINESS: WATCH TNT'S "MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE" By David Bianculli

I'm back from L.A., trying to get back to basics -- so today's blog will be a mixed bag, with some news about my Smothers Brothers book, but also pointing out some TV worth watching: Ray Romano's original, very entertaining new TNT series...

2009

Dec

FLICK PICKS: CAPRA, NOT SO CORNY By Diane Werts

We're as willing to quibble as the next guy (gal), so we'll salute the tougher side of legendary director Frank Capra, often cited for his sentimental Capra-corn in movies like It's a Wonderful Life...

2009

Dec

YULE TUBE: YES, CHARLIE BROWN, THERE IS AN ENCORE By Diane Werts

I go away for a week, and look what happens -- President Obama pre-empts Charlie Brown's Christmas, and agreeable Adrian Monk suffers a disappointingly unpleasant series finale...

2009

Dec

"DANGEROUSLY FUNNY" WEEK: WHAT A WHIRLWIND, PART 2: FERGUSON AND SKIRBALL By David Bianculli

I'm here in Los Angeles, and I survived. Thursday night I gave my first public reading lecture for "Dangerously Funny," at the Skirball Cultural Center -- and also taped my appearance on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," which will be shown Friday night (early Saturday) at 12:35 a.m. ET on CBS...

2009

Dec

"DANGEROUSLY FUNNY" WEEK: WHAT A WHIRLWIND, PART 1 By David Bianculli

As I write this, I've just flown to Los Angeles, preparing for a taping of "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" on CBS and Thursday's book reading and signing at the Skirball Cultural Center. It's been a nonstop nutso week for me -- and I thought, since I doubt a week like this will ever come my way again, to share some of the fun parts...

2009

Dec

FLICK PICKS: BOGART, CAPRA, CHRISTMAS AND MORE By Diane Werts

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, some Capra-corn, bunches of Bogart, and an elementary marathon of Sherlock Holmes. December's highlights on Turner Classic Movies also include a Thin Man sixpack and the 70th anniversary of Gone With the Wind...

2009

Dec

'DANGEROUSLY FUNNY' BY DAVID BIANCULLI By David Bianculli

Six months after the tragic events of 9/11, at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, five defiantly outspoken performers were saluted for their often costly efforts to exercise their First Amendment rights as comedians...Significantly, the Smothers Brothers received their Freedom of Speech Award from comic David Steinberg, whose controversial mock sermons on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour played a key part in having that variety show yanked and the brothers fired...

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