Word of Tim Robbins' somewhat defiant keynote address at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas Monday continues to spread. Two days later, you can not only hear the complete speech in audio form -- but can read it and see it, too, all thanks to the Internet...

2008

Apr

AT NAB CONVENTION, TIM ROBBINS SPEAKS HIS MIND -- AND HIS SPEECH By David Bianculli

Actor-writer-director Tim Robbins, who has been known to speak his mind when standing in front of an audience, was asked the give the keynote opening speech at Monday's National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas. Then he was asked not to give it...

2008

Apr

EXTRAS! EXTRAS! READ ALL ABOUT THEM -- FINALLY! By David Bianculli

When I was TV critic at the New York Daily News, I instituted a recurring feature called "Extras" -- my name for in-jokes hidden within TV shows, and unearthed by either me or my sharp-eyed readers. Most of the time, it was the readers who deserved the credit -- and got it, for some 14 years, as I showcased the best Extras and identified the viewers who caught them...

2008

Apr

TALENTS OF 12 OF 16 STARS REMAIN SECRET: CBS MERCY KILLS "SECRET TALENTS" AFTER ONE TELECAST By David Bianculli

CBS took one look at its new live, unscripted competition series "Secret Talents of the Stars" -- or, more precisely, took one look at the overnight ratings -- and killed it immediately. My question is: What took CBS so long?

2008

Apr

WELCOME BACK, NBC THURSDAY NIGHT -- ESPECIALLY "30 ROCK" By David Bianculli

How long does it take for NBC's "30 Rock" to re-establish itself, in its first fresh post-strike episode, as the funniest comedy on TV right now? One second. Literally, one second. That's because the new episode, shown tonight at 8:30 ET, begins with a fake promo for the finale of the fake show mentioned once before...

2008

Apr

EXTRAS: WHAT THEY ARE, WHERE TO FIND THEM By David Bianculli

One of my most popular regular column offerings, when I was TV critic for The New York Daily News, was a feature called Extras - my name for in-jokes buried within TV shows. Over the years, I deputized my loyal readers to search for them and send them my way, and every month or so I'd print the best Extras, as well as the names of the readers who found them...

2008

Apr

FIRST PRIME-TIME TV SHOW YOU LOVED By David Bianculli

What was the first prime-time TV series you made a point of watching each week - and what do you remember about how and why you watched it? With whom did you watch? Did the viewing involve any favorite foods or rituals? What did you enjoy most?

2008

Apr

FIRST PRIME-TIME TV CHARACTERS YOU LOVED By David Bianculli

And now, here's something I think you'll really like... QUESTION: Who were your first TV sex symbols? These will depend, of course, upon your age, sex, sexual orientation and imagination. I shall say no more than this (though, perhaps, even this says way too much...)

2008

Apr

I'VE GOT A "SECRET" I DON'T WANT By David Bianculli

The CBS celebrity competition series "Secret Talents of the Stars" sounded like a horrible concept, but I didn't want to prejudge -- and couldn't, because it was televised live last night. Well, now I've seen it, and it's time for the postjudging...

2008

Apr

BROADCAST SHOWINGS OF CABLE SERIES: SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLEW By David Bianculli

The ratings are in. The first outing for NBC's Sunday-night duo of recycled "Monk" and "Psych" episodes (first seen on USA Network) drew only 5.6 million and 4 million viewers, respectively, and only a fraction of that in the coveted younger demographic. So should the strike-induced move be considered a failure, or a success?...

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