DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
2012
Mar
9
 
 
In 1992, Bruce Springsteen lamented over the dearth of quality programming available on cable television, despite an abundance of choices, in his song 57 Channels (And Nothing On). The lyrics seem so quaint and precious now, don't they...If "The Boss" had trouble finding something watchable on a measly few dozen cable channels, imagine his bewilderment after wading into the mind-numbing array of web TV shows available on the Internet...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
Think about this the next time you consider driving through rising water: Japan Tsunami: Tales of Terror (Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, TLC) offers the testimony of a driver -- and footage from his on-board camera -- of being hit by the tsunami last March that also devastated the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. - DW
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
For those keeping count, tonight is the 400th edition of this series – but who, outside of Fox, is keeping track? The real thing to track here is that this is the first finalist elimination edition of 2012, when one of the Top 13 will be sent packing. And they’re be sent to the tune of (and performance by) former Idol winner Scotty McCreery, who provides this season’s musical swan song for the departing contestants.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
Jack McBrayer, as Kenneth, has been getting so much screen time this season, it’s almost like he’s the star of 30 Rock. And that faith keeps getting rewarded, and tested some more. Tonight, Kenneth gets promoted to a job in standards and practices, as an NBC censor. Well, maybe that’s a promotion. Maybe not. But it should be funny.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
Speaking of funny, this 1944 film is one of the wildest, most riotous screwball comedies ever made. Cary Grant, as the only sane member of a family of lunatics, plays a drama critic –another reason I love this so much – who is surrounded by murderous aunts, a Boris Karloff lookalike, and a guy who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt. Based on the hit stage comedy, this movie never lags, and Grant, going for it in every scene, is fabulous.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
In one of tonight’s story lines, Susan asks Jane for help on a case – but doesn’t invite the other members of the team. Is something up? On this show, always.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
Here’s an episode of David Steinberg’s comedy talk show that qualifies as Can’t-Miss TV, and which covers, collectively, close to two centuries of comedy. Steinberg’s guests tonight are Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner, whose occasional teamwork goes all the way back to 1950's Your Show of Shows. For my exclusive TV WORTH WATCHING INTERVIEW with Mel Brooks, presented last November, click HERE.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
There's one quick and easy way to distinguish my critique of HBO's Game Change, the new telemovie about Sarah Palin's foray into national politics in the 2008 presidential election, from those of most of the criticisms leveled by conservative commentators, political insiders, and even Palin herself. I've actually seen the damned thing...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
8
 
 
(From NPR) There are times when TV dramas about national politics and politicians deserve criticism, even ridicule, for their fast-and-loose narratives and characterizations. But "Game Change" — HBO's new take on the John McCain-Sarah Palin campaign — is entertaining and commendable precisely because it stays so close to the facts, not because it strays from them...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Mar
7
 
 
Last week, the selection of the final competitors had the judges – Jennifer Lopez, at least – fighting back tears. Tonight, the 13 finalists begin live competition in the elimination rounds – and they couldn’t have come sooner for this long-dominant reality competition show, which suddenly is in a fierce Battle Round, for viewers and media attention, with NBC’s The Voice. Tonight and tomorrow, the boys and girls take on, respectively, the music of Stevie Wonder and