This is not, not, not a recommendation. But when a TV network schedules a series called Duck Dynasty, then stays firmly behind it once it becomes a hit even after its reality-series cast members are quoted saying less than inclusive and loving things about certain social subsets, you wonder where the bottom is. Then it arrives: Not only is a Las Vegas stage musical called Duck Commander: The Musical mounted to take aim (so to speak) at the tourists, but after it crashes and burns after one month

2015

Jun

RIPPER STREET By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: The last episode of the season provides the same plot device – a murder – familiar to many episodes of this period drama series, set in the era and neighborhood of Jack the Ripper. But this time, the victim is a visiting American journalist – which means it’s big news, at least to the British tabloids of Fleet Street. And women figure in this episode without being victims, as with bordello entrepreneur Long Susan (MyAnna Buring, pictured), who scrambles ton

2015

Jun

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES By David Bianculli

Wednesdays in June are devoted to “Pin-Up Girls” on TCM – and there’s no greater pair of pinups than the ones on display in this bubbly, enjoyable 1953 movie musical. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell star – and in one courtroom scene, Russell even gets to go blonde herself, and imitate Monroe (pictured), with a wicked sense of humor and exaggeration.

2015

Jun

DEUTSCHLAND 83 By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: Sundance co-produced this new drama series in association with Germany’s RTL Television, and it becomes the first German TV drama to be shown on an American cable network, in German with subtitles, since the miniseries Das Boot was imported by Bravo in the early Eighties. Anna and Joerg Winger, a husband-and-wife team, created this series, which is set at a time when Berlin was still divided into East and West, the Cold War was very hot, and the Russians and Americans were

2015

Jun

BAIT By David Bianculli

Another of tonight’s TCM “Pin-Up Girls” features, this one, from 1954, is a rarely televised film noir pulp fiction femme fatale mash-up, starring B-movie star Cleo Moore as the temptress without much of a heart – but whose heart sports a very protective, and provocative, outer coating.

2015

Jun

HBO'S NEW SUNDAY LINEUP IS THREE FOR THREE By David Bianculli

HBO rolls out its three new summer Sunday series this weekend, including Season 2 of the anthology series True Detective. I’ve seen them all – and, surprisingly, I really liked them all…

2015

Jun

2015 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SOCCER By David Bianculli

In the mass-elimination group stage, the U.S. women’s team has managed one victory and one draw in its two games to date, putting it atop the division in its competitive Group D. If the U.S. wins tonight against Nigeria, it’ll maintain its divisional win – which is important at this stage, because to fall to second place would mean it would be facing powerhouse Brazil in the next round.

2015

Jun

NICK NEWS: “THE ELECTRONIC LEASH: SAFETY VS. PRIVACY” By David Bianculli

This series never gets enough attention or acclaim, because what it accomplishes is something that the more “mature” prime-time network news specials could benefit from emulating. It takes on serious, complicated subjects, and boils them down to understandable basics, while explaining what they mean to the average person. Think of Nick News as Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, but without the laughs. It’s still entertaining – and still valuable. Tonight, the topic of th

2015

Jun

2015 NBA FINALS By David Bianculli

Stephen Curry and The Golden State Warriors have a 3-2 advantage heading into tonight’s Game 6, which will be played in Cleveland, on the home court of LeBron James’ up-against-the-wall Cleveland Cavaliers. I’m hoping the Cavs prevail – because, no matter what happens, that would result in one hell of a Game 7.

2015

Jun

TYRANT By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: Last season, there was a coup against the ruthless Jamal – but it failed, and now Barry, the protagonist of Tyrant, finds himself jailed, with a very uncertain future. Except that if he dies, this series loses its narrative center. For a full review, see Alex Strachan’s TV That Matters.

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