DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
2014
Dec
7
 
 
SERIES PREMIERE: Spun off from the series of TNT telemovies starring Noah Wyle as an Indiana Jones type, this new series makes room for Wyle, who’s starring on Falling Skies, to appear when he can and wants, while building stories around an entirely new librarian “staff.” These include the new boss and chief investigator and adventurer, played by Rebecca Romijn, as well as familiar faces Matt Frewer (most recently of Orphan Black), John Larroquette, and returning guest stars Bo
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
7
 
 
“Oh, Shenandoah” is the name of this penultimate episode of Aaron Sorkin’s series – and perhaps there’s a clue in that title, for those old enough to remember the wistfulness of that one-time hit song. Regardless, what we do know is happening tonight is that Will (Jeff Daniels) is jailed for refusing to reveal his news source. And his boss, he’s preparing for a fight, too…
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
7
 
 
In this week’s episode, Rupert Friend, as Peter Quinn, takes a central role, but not necessarily because Saul and Carrie appeared to have been blown to smithereens in the cliffhanger of the most recent episode. I mention it without fear, and without posting any Spoiler Alert, because there’s no way a series would kill the two of them at the same time. Not even this series.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
7
 
 
I screwed up the other day and temporarily posted this listing early. But here it is, for real this time: The crazy gang behind this inspired, freewheeling Cartoon Network stop-animation comedy sketch series is at it again, this time with an all-inclusive TV holiday special that includes everything from Mother’s Day to the traditional December celebrations. The show’s title says it all, and more: The Robot Chicken Lots of Holidays but Don’t Worry Christmas Is Still in There Too
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
7
 
 
Vince Gilligan’s spin-off about the backstory of Breaking Bad crook lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), Better Call Saul, is officially premiering Sunday, February 8 on AMC...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
6
 
 
Once ubiquitous, now a TV rarity: Here’s 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life, brought back by NBC for one of its now twice-annual holiday prime-time telecasts. Hi, Bert! Hi, Ernie!
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
6
 
 
This 1966 film was scheduled by TCM to run on this date, long before the sudden death of its director, Mike Nichols. Subsequently, though, TCM has altered tonight’s lineup to add two more Nichols films to its lineup, making this a must-see and appreciate TV triple-header. First up: Nichols’ first film crossing over from stage director to movie director, and with an incendiary cast: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, George Segal and Sandy Dennis.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
6
 
 
MINISERIES CONCLUSION: Katie Leung stars as a woman of Chinese heritage, adopted at birth by a British man and his American wife, who learns as a young woman that the brother – a sibling she never knew she had – is on trial for murder back in China, facing execution.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
6
 
 
This 1967 movie had a huge impact on me when I first saw it as a teenager, and I still see it as a near-perfect film – maybe a perfect one – about youth, alienation, ennui and the generation gap. I love the Simon & Garfunkel music, too, especially the guitar bits Paul Simon composed and performed expressly for the film score (as at the gas station, on the way to the wedding). And Nichols is so subtle as a director that sometimes it takes repeated viewings to realize that the film
 
 
 
  
 
 
2014
Dec
6
 
 
For this new episode – episode eight of Season 40, to be precise – the scheduled guest host is James Franco, and the musical guest is Nicki Minaj.