SERIES PREMIERE: This new documentary series, whose executive producers include Donnie Wahlberg, plays like a real-life, Boston-set Hill Street Blues. Cops are seen on and off duty, doing everything from the mundane to the dangerous. And before sending his team out in search of a dangerous suspect who shot at one of the night duty cops a few hours earlier, one cop even gives the Boston equivalent of the old Hill Street “Let’s be careful out there” warning. Only this time, with

2013

Feb

CHICAGO By David Bianculli

If you watched the Oscars Sunday, you saw the live recreation of one musical number from this 2002 film musical. Now revisit the whole thing – and compare and contrast with Les Miserables, the most recent big-screen, big-budget musical. Chicago is the better film, and the Academy agreed, honoring it as Best Picture. It won several other Oscars as well, including Best Supporting Actress, an award won by Les Miserables as well – the latter by Anne Hathaway, the former by Catherine Zeta

2013

Feb

CULT By David Bianculli

I’m on record as not thinking very much of this show – but the pilot was so obsessed with establishing its show-within-the-show conceit that it was hard to judge whether it was going to go anywhere worthwhile. By the end of tonight’s Episode 2, we should have a clearer idea. But I’m not optimistic.

2013

Feb

PARADE'S END By David Bianculli

MINISERIES PREMIERE: HBO is showing its newest, five-hour period miniseries over three nights: two hours tonight, two more tomorrow, and the conclusion on Thursday. Tom Stoppard adapts the WWI-era novels by Ford Madox Ford, and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has the central role as Christopher, a man with a wife who’s unfaithful and unpredictable (Rebecca Hall, who’s captivating) and a woman he adores, but never seems to connect with (Adelaide Clemens). Whether or not he’s

2013

Feb

SMASH By David Bianculli

This second episode of the second season continues to reset the plot, establish and strengthen new characters, and try to reboot a bit under a different show producer. Tonight’s highlight: a planned live musical showcase for diva Veronica Moore, played by Jennifer Hudson – who, in real life, just performed live at the Oscars Sunday night.

2013

Feb

JUSTIFIED By David Bianculli

The momentum generated by Justified the past two weeks justifies its status as one of the most exciting drama series on TV right now – and tonight, both Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) and Boyd (Walton Goggins) are in a high gear, take-no-prisoners mode. And when Raylan is talking about taking no prisoners, he often means it literally.

2013

Feb

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER By David Bianculli

Jeanette (Abby Elliott) and Ted (Josh Radnor) split up, with an exchange of precious possessions that also includes some precious exchanges. “Here's your grandmother's ring,” she tells him. Stunned and afraid, he replies, “She was buried wearing this.” And afterward, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) tries to help by consulting his playbook — the one that was supposed to be destroyed.

2013

Feb

BEYONCE: LIFE IS BUT A DREAM By David Bianculli

A week ago, the premiere of this HBO special drew 1.8 million viewers – for HBO, the most popular documentary since it adjusted its audience-measuring methods almost a decade ago. Just to put it in perspective, that’s three times the audience for HBO’s Girls. Then again Beyoncé knows all about being more popular as a solo than with other girls – though Destiny’s Child did reunite for the Super Bowl.

2013

Feb

DALLAS By David Bianculli

Two more episodes before this series addresses the sudden death of J.R. Ewing, necessitated by the equally sudden death of the iconic actor who played him, Larry Hagman. In the meantime, the other veteran vast members from the original series are beginning to rally, and share scenes together. Tonight, look for Bobby and Sue Ellen – Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray – to step forward. Next week, former Dallas and Knots Landing co-star Ted Shackelford shows up as brother Gary.

2013

Feb

THE STAIRCASE By David Bianculli

Part 8. This is the “Verdict” installment of this series – the final chapter of this true-life murder story when this documentary miniseries was televised in 2005. But there’s more to come. The next two weeks, Sundance will show two new installments, updating the story as a special mini-sequel. So catch up now, and stay tuned.

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