Hey, hey, it’s still The Monkees. And what’s fun to watch, as this weekend marathon concludes of the two-season mid-’60s TV and musical phenomenon, is how quickly the four stars began to chafe at their corporate-imposed restrictions, and try to expand beyond the show’s initial teen-pleasing formula. They didn’t always succeed… but they kept trying.

2020

Jun

QUIZ By David Bianculli

MINISERIES CONCLUSION: Part 3. Part 1 of this three-part drama was all about the development of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in England, and the quest of one particular family of quiz-show enthusiasts to land a spot as a contestant. Part 2 was about that contestant’s peculiar style of play, and to that point unprecedented achievement, at winning a million pounds. Tonight’s concluding Part 3 is all about the court case that followed, accusing the winners of cheat

2020

Jun

I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE By David Bianculli

MINISERIES FINALE: Here’s another drama wrapping up tonight – but whereas Quiz has been light and fun, I Know This Much Is True has been unrelentingly grim. This miniseries, based on the book by Wally Lamb, has developed into an anguished family story that works in three time periods. In the one unfolding at the center of the drama, Mark Ruffalo plays twin brothers Dominick and Thomas – and in tonight’s episode, after Thomas has been institutionalized

2020

Jun

BILLIONS By David Bianculli

MIDSEASON FINALE: Tonight’s episode, which has many of the show’s powerful primary characters aiming their scheming sights at one another, is billed as the midseason finale. What that means, for certain, is that it’s the last we’ll see of Billions for a while. What’s much less certain, given the unpredictable future of the current pandemic, is when, or perhaps if, the show will be able to resume production and complete this latest season. Meanwhile, the sh

2020

Jun

PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS By David Bianculli

This anthology series, in its current City of Angels season, has developed a drama built around a social movement and cultural uprising. On one side are the politicians and police; on the other, a minority group totally fed up at being abused and brutalized by the authorities, especially the street cops. Is there any way to watch this series without drawing some topical parallels? No. And not even the supernatural element, with Natalie Dormer playing a demon who instigates the tensions

2020

Jun

LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER By David Bianculli

There may be a smarter show on television right now. And there may be a funnier. But I’m fairly certain there isn’t one that scores higher in both those categories at once. Keep it up, Mr. Oliver… Please.

2020

Jun

'GRANTCHESTER' RETURNS TO PBS WITH SEASON 5 By David Hinckley

With the menu of fresh TV feeling slimmed-down these days, PBS is doubtless delighted to bring back a proven winner...

2020

Jun

BEAUTIFUL 'BEECHAM HOUSE' ARRIVES ON PBS By David Hinckley

Most period dramas set in India dwell at least in part on the suffocating effects of British colonial rule. Beecham House, ...to a certain extent, flips that scenario...

2020

Jun

1976: CHUCK BARRIS INTRODUCES 'THE GONG SHOW' By David Bianculli

The Gong Show, debuted on this day in 1976...

Posts 1051-1060 of 2007

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