Tonight’s episode is called “Alive Day,” a veterans’ term used, in this case, by Choo-Choo (Duke Davis Roberts), one of the fascinating characters in this final season of Justified.

2015

Feb

BEING THERE By David Bianculli

This 1979 movie, starring Peter Sellers as an often overestimated (or is he?) quiet little man, is a delightful film. Based on Jerzy Kosinski’s modern fable, it’s directed by Hal Ashby in confident, sly style.

2015

Feb

THE VOICE By David Bianculli

SEASON OPENER: For tonight’s opening Season 8 installment, the blind auditions – this show’s best feature – begin again. The judges in the swivel chairs this time around (and around, and around) are stalwarts Blake Shelton and Adam Levine, both of whom have turned this NBC musical showcase into new levels of stardom, Pharell Williams, and, returning after some time off, Christina Aguilera. The new season will not resemble those high-concept promos from the Super Bowl, in

2015

Feb

THE LEGEND OF LEAD BELLY By David Bianculli

This new Smithsonian TV documentary about the convicted murderer and composer of “Goodnight Irene” and other standards is televised the day before a new major boxed set, Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection, is released on CD. But it stands on its own, in no small part because it includes not only vintage clips, but newly recorded testimonials from such enthusiasts as Van Morrison. Many questions are answered, but here’s one of mine: I have no idea when people starte

2015

Feb

ANNIE HALL By David Bianculli

Very few comedies have won the Oscar as Best Picture. Woody Allen’s Annie Hall did, in 1977, and deserved it, even against a field that included the first installment of Star Wars. It’s a great movie, Diane Keaton gives a fabulous performance – and if you watch the film now, almost 40 years later, you can catch traces of all of today’s most cutting-edge TV comedies, up to and including Louie.

2015

Feb

CITIZENFOUR By David Bianculli

Less than 24 hours after winning an Oscar, Laura Poitras’ 2014 documentary about federal whistleblower Edward Snowden premieres on TV tonight, on HBO. Will you be watching, and listening? According to Snowden, someone usually is.

2015

Feb

BETTER CALL SAUL By David Bianculli

I’m excited: I haven’t seen tonight’s Episode 4 in advance, because AMC sent only the first three installments for preview. So I’m anticipating this episode as eagerly as any TV-viewing “civilian,” including, perhaps, you. Here’s hoping we all have a great time.

2015

Feb

THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART By David Bianculli

Knowing that every remaining episode featuring Jon Stewart is something to cherish, I suggest that some of them may be even more valuable than others. Like tonight’s, because Stewart, who is enough of a wonk to be fluent talking about the intricacies of national and global economies, has as his guest Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Don’t look for Lagarde on, say, The Tonight Show – but don’t miss her here.

2015

Feb

THE NIGHTLY SHOW WITH LARRY WILMORE By David Bianculli

So far, since his launch, Larry Wilmore pretty much has done without A-list guests – or B-list ones, for that matter. But tonight, The Nightly Show makes room for its biggest star since the show’s premiere: Martin Short.

2015

Feb

THE OSCARS WERE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC By David Bianculli

Most nights at the Oscars, the musical numbers performed live are instantly forgettable. This year, they not only stole the show – they helped make the show…

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