As addictive as Big Little Lies proved during its first season, it did run the ongoing risk of becoming a high-end soap opera with really famous stars...

2019

Jun

CALAMITY JANE By David Bianculli

This 1953 movie is worth watching at this moment in time for two chief reasons. One is to honor the recent passing of its star, Doris Day, in what for her is a playful change-of-pace role. The other is to compare this conception of the role of Calamity Jane with the infinitely more colorful and quotable one on display in HBO’s very recent Deadwood: The Movie, and in its previous series version, as played brilliantly in both instances by Robin Wiegert. (Who, by the way, will return to TV to

2019

Jun

THE 73RD ANNUAL TONY AWARDS By David Bianculli

SPECIAL: James Corden, who hosted the Tonys so winningly in 2016, returns to host this year’s show, which includes among its nominated crop such dramas as Aaron Sorkin’s reworking of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and such musicals as Hadestown. Expect a performance featuring the cast of that new musical production, as well as by live tastes of The Cher Show, Tootsie, Ain’t Too Proud, and revivals of Oklahoma! and Kiss Me, Kate. For a James Corden/Tonys retrospect, se

2019

Jun

2019 STANLEY CUP FINALS By David Bianculli

The St. Louis Blues have been in the NHL for more than half a century – 52 years, to be exact – but tonight could win its first Stanley Cup in its long history. The Blues hold a 3-2 advantage over the Boston Bruins in this year’s Finals, and can claim victory with a win this evening in the best-of-seven series. But if the Bruins hold on and even the series, a winner-take-all Game 7 will be held Wednesday.

2019

Jun

LUTHER By David Bianculli

Last week’s Season 5 premiere of Luther, in which Idris Elba returned as volatile police investigator John Luther, took the entire hour to bring him face to face with his former nemesis and object of fascination, Ruth Wilson’s Alice Morgan. But when the door was opened just before the credits rolled, and Alice was on the other side – very much alive, much to Luther’s surprise – it set things up for a juicy episode that should pick up in high gear from the very first

2019

Jun

BIG LITTLE LIES By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: David E. Kelley, creator of Ally McBeal and Boston Legal, made a dynamic return to television with this 2017 HBO drama, which featured dynamic and nuanced performances from Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, and Alexander Skarsgard. All but Skarsgard are back this year, and anyone who saw Season 1 of Big Little Lies knows why he’s absent. But joining the cast this season, playing the mother of Skarsgard’s character, is the bi

2019

Jun

BILLIONS By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: Last week, it seemed there was a moment where Taylor and Axe might call a truce and put an end to their respective campaigns of revenge. But by the end of the episode, it seemed just as likely they were embarking on a war of mutually assured destruction. And tonight is the Season 4 finale, so this may be the episode where the fur flies and the dust settles. Or vice versa.

2019

Jun

LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER By David Bianculli

So what’s new, John Oliver? Will our favorite former Daily Show correspondent from Great Britain have anything to say, and any special perspective, on President Trump’s recently concluded state visit to England?

2019

Jun

CORDEN HOSTING THE TONY AWARDS: A RETURN TO HIS TRIUMPH By Mike Hughes

[Editor’s note: I’ve known Mike Hughes since he joined the Television Critics Association press tour in 1982. He and Ed Bark remain the most persistent and well-informed questioners during TCA press conferences, and we’re thrilled to have him join the band of veteran TV columnists in our online sandbox. – DB]

2019

Jun

ELTON JOHN: MILLION DOLLAR PIANO By David Bianculli

Part of an all-day Elton John salute beginning at noon ET on AXS, this 2014 film captures the musician’s preparation for and presentation of his second multi-year residency at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Before or after you see Rocketman in theaters, it’s a fitting, fun companion piece.

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