This day in 1948 marked the first telecast of Texaco Star Theater, which turned the popular radio show into television's first hit series and created the nation's first television star, Milton Berle.While Milton Berle hosted the show's first telecast, he initially shared hosting duties with other stars, including Morey Amsterdam, Jack Carter and Henny Youngman, on a rotating basis. In September, 1948, Berle was made the show's permanent host.Early on, the live variety show featured a range of

2012

Jun

THE FIRST PROMO FOR 'KATIE' By Ed Bark

A look at the first promo for Katie Couric's new talk show, Katie...

2012

Jun

THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW By David Bianculli

This is must-see TV for me: This week, Karl Pilkingon talks to Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant about the medical profession, and medicine and health in general. Somehow, I know this will make me feel better – especially when Karl starts talking about an amazingly healthy homeless woman named “Scruffy Sandra.”

2012

Jun

THE INNOCENTS By David Bianculli

This 1961 version of Henry James’ moody The Turn of the Screw captures all the atmospheric creepiness of the original story, along with all the ambiguity that comes with telling a ghost story where the ghosts may or may not exist. Deborah Kerr stars as the governess who comes to suspect that the children in her charge have been possessed by former employees of the estate. Jack Clayton directs, very effectively.

2012

Jun

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER By David Bianculli

There are plenty of political guests on tonight’s new edition, but the panelist I’m most enthusiastic about seeing is filmmaker John Waters. He’s at the point in his career, and his life, where he says whatever he thinks. That’s kept him off most talk shows, but it’s made him a welcome and witty recurring visitor on this one. And, happily, here we go again.

2012

Jun

THE ROCK By David Bianculli

On a slow night, here’s a fast-moving, very entertaining movie. Nicolas Cage successfully transmutes into an action star here, but this 1996 adventure is stolen nonetheless by Sean Connery, who seems to approach each scene with the goal of providing the most memorable performance – and he succeeds, every time.

2012

Jun

GARFUNKEL AND OATES: THE HALF HOUR By David Bianculli

The brilliant Flight of the Conchords re-established the viability of the musical comedy duo as an entertaining standup form – and now, there’s a female due making its own claim, and borrowing their names from classic male musical teammates. Garfunkel and Oates, in reality, is, or are, Riki Lindhome (guitar) and Kate Minucci (ukelele). Minucci should be familiar from recurring roles on Raising Hope, where she sings a lot, and Bored to Death, where she doesn’t. They sing funny s

2012

Jun

COMEDY BANG! BANG! FIRES AWAY ON IFC By Eric Gould

When Independent Film Channel was looking for new shows to fit its tagline "Always On, Slightly Off," it had to look no further than Comedy Bang! Bang!...

2012

Jun

1955: CBS PREMIERES 'THE $64,000 QUESTION' By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1955, CBS premiered its popular game show, The $64,000 Question. Inspired by the popular radio quiz show Take it or Leave It (which later became The $64 Question), The $64,000 Question was the forerunner to contemporary game shows such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?The $64,000 Question, hosted by actor Hal March, featured contestants answering a series of questions on one particular topic, with the prize amount doubling — $64, $128, $256 to $512, then $1,000,

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