SERIES FINALE: This is not, not, not, not a recommendation. But it is definitely worth noting that, at long last, this horrid MTV series comes to an end. I always took Jersey Shore as one of the signs of the impending apocalypse – but maybe, since this revolting reality show concludes tonight, we may all live to see past tomorrow.

2012

Dec

1987: NBC AIRS SPECIAL 'JACK PAAR IS ALIVE AND WELL!' By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1987, NBC recognized Johnny Carson's Tonight Show predecessor with the one-hour special, Jack Paar is Alive and Well!...

2012

Dec

THE HURT LOCKER By David Bianculli

With Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty movie, her account of the hunt for Osama bin Laden, about to hit theaters nationwide, this is the perfect time to revisit her 2008 war movie about a bomb-defusing military team in Baghdad, for which she won the Oscar for Outstanding Director. Written by Mark Boal, who reteamed with Bigelow for Zero Dark Thirty. Jeremy Renner stars.

2012

Dec

DOUBLE INDEMNITY By David Bianculli

Billy Wilder is remembered more for directing lighter fare, but this 1944 classic is about as dark as film noir gets. Fred MacMurray stars as an insurance agent who gets intrigued, and played, by a femme fatale, portrayed by a tougher-than-nails Barbra Stanwyck.

2012

Dec

THE HOUR By David Bianculli

Bel and Freddie (Romola Garai, Ben Whishaw) pitch another journalistic expose – and this time, quite intentionally, the target hits close to home.

2012

Dec

THE SOUP By David Bianculli

It would take a lot to get me to recommend this daily summary of pop culture bottom-feeding – but tonight’s edition isn’t a daily wrap-up. It condenses the whole eight-year run of Joel McHale’s The Soup, presenting the worst of the worst, so to speak, in an eye-opening special that, no kidding, is tied to the impending Mayan Apocalypse. Tonight’s installment even has a title: End of the World – We Told You So. Promised to make the cut: Spaghetti Cat.

2012

Dec

LOST IN TRANSLATION By David Bianculli

Sofia Coppola wrote and directed this 2003 character study, which gave plum roles to two actors who benefited from the exposure: veteran comic actor Bill Murray, who shines in a very serious role of an American celebrity enduring a work trip to Tokyo, and young actress Scarlett Johansson, who shines just as much in one of several roles that quickly enhanced her reputation as a serious actress.

2012

Dec

FIVE TV SHOWS YOU SHOULD WATCH BEFORE THE MAYAN APOCALYPSE By David Bianculli

According to doomsday theorists, the Mayan Apocalypse is imminent – scheduled to arrive Friday, Dec. 21. Here are five TV shows you should watch now, just in case…

2012

Dec

PBS STATION HEAD ASSESSES LANDSCAPE FOLLOWING RECENT ASSAULT ON PUBLIC TV By Tom Brinkmoeller

Public television is stronger than ever in presenting quality programming. Now the challenge is to do a better job of reaching out to the people who support public television...

2012

Dec

"NEWTOWN -- YOU ARE NOT ALONE." By Eric Gould

The shock and grief is ongoing this week following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday. President Obama went to Newtown on Monday and delivered heartfelt remarks at an interfaith prayer vigil for the victims...

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