If it’s Thursday, this must be Sunday. Sunday Night Football on NBC, that is, which is being played three days earlier than usual, as well as a month earlier than usual, because tonight is the annual Hall of Fame game from Canton, OH. Playing pro football’s first big preseason game of the year: the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys.

2017

Aug

THE GONG SHOW By David Bianculli

No, this campy ABC remake still isn’t worth supporting, really – but tonight’s show is so stacked with former Saturday Night Live players, it deserves mention for that, at least. Of course, Mike Myers continues his odd “disguised” hosting chores as British TV “personality” Tommy Maitland. But tonight, the Gong Show guest judges include Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg, as well as Megan Fox.

2017

Aug

THE GUEST BOOK By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: The first two episodes of My Name Is Earl creator Greg Garcia’s new series are presented back-to-back tonight. Watch them both, because it takes two helpings of this new TV treat to begin to comprehend just how ambitious, clever, and entertaining it really is. The Guest Book, like HBO’s new Room 104, is an anthology show in which every episode features a new cast, set in the same rented room. In this case, it’s a rural cabin in a small town, it’s a comedy

2017

Aug

GETTING DARKER: USA NETWORK'S ‘THE SINNER’ FURTHER DISTANCES THE NETWORK FROM A RECENTLY DISCARDED SALES PITCH By Ed Bark

Darkness prevails at the USA network, which formerly championed a “blue sky” approach that welcomed banter-laced, light-stepping dramas...

2017

Aug

THE CARMICHAEL SHOW By David Bianculli

There are only a few episodes left of this sitcom, which tackles and treats issues in ways that make it one of NBC’s best shows. So watch while you can. Tonight, in a new episode, Bobby (Lil Rel Howery) gets hurt on the job, and decides to go college to improve his prospects. Maxine (Amber Stevens West) is behind him all the way, but not most of the Carmichaels – especially when Bobby reveals his intended major.

2017

Aug

BROADCHURCH By David Bianculli

Here’s another series with only a few episodes left – but this one has a mystery to solve, though the plot this week gets ticker, not thinner. But as a character study, and a display of fine understated acting, Broadchurch has delivered throughout.

2017

Aug

BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: This import from Canada is created by, and stars, four women: Carolyn Taylor, Aurora Browne, Jennifer Whalen, and Meredith MacNeill. Add it to the list of sketch comedy shows showcasing women, a list that stretches from French and Saunders to Inside Amy Schumer – then watch it, because it’s very funny, and also fairly fresh. For my full review on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, visit the Fresh Air website.

2017

Aug

FULL FRONTAL WITH SAMANTHA BEE By David Bianculli

I’d like to see how Samantha Bee would handle a slow news week. But that’s only because I’m desperate, after six months, for a slow news week.

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