That big sigh of relief you hear is from everyone at American Idol, who get to proceed to the end of this year’s music-competition finish line, from tonight on, without having to compete for attention with NBC’s The Voice.

2012

May

THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME By David Bianculli

Any youngsters who think The Hunger Games is this bold new idea in fiction and moviemaking – watch humans be hunted for sport – may enjoy being old-schooled by watching this movie, which is about a sociopathic big-game hunter who strands shipwreck victims on a deserted island, then hunts them down. Based on the classic short story by Richard Connell, it was filmed in 1932 – only eight years after its original publication. It stars Joel McCrea and, one year before starring in

2012

May

MODERN FAMILY By David Bianculli

Yes, it’s synergy, since Disney owns ABC – but for this extended family, a trip to Disneyland is going to seem a lot less like product placement and a lot more like actual humor. This show has earned the benefit of the doubt, so expect something Goofy.

2012

May

ED WOOD By David Bianculli

With Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s latest collaboration, Dark Shadows, premiering later this week, here’s a chance to catch their 1994 teaming, in which Depp plays one of the worst, but most impassioned, film directors in history. It’s a delightful film, one in which all the Burton-Depp quirkiness is employed to perfection. Whether that happens in Dark Shadows – well, I’ll keep you posted.

2012

May

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: At the start of the season, Ted Danson showed up to take the reins of this long-running CBS crime procedural. He made it through the season, and restored stability to the show – and perhaps as a result, tonight’s episode gives him more dramatic things to do than usual. And there are other familiar TV faces on board, too, as guest stars, including Jaclyn Smith from Charlie’s Angels and Peri Gilpin from Frasier.

2012

May

QUALITY SHOWS + SMART TV EXECS = VIEWER VICTORIES By Eric Gould

Fringe and Southland have been renewed, proving shows don't have to be a gold mine to survive. Somewhere out there, some smart television execs have realized you can't put a price tag on quality TV...

2012

May

ON NBC’S 'THE VOICE,' TONY LUCCA DOES '99 PROBLEMS' AND CHRISTINA AGUILERA IS ONE By David Bianculli

As we approach Tuesday’s winner-crowning season finale on NBC’s The Voice, this deserves note: On Monday’s show, judge Christina Aguilera’s treatment of finalist Tony Lucca, who started out with Aguilera on The All New Mickey Mouse Club, was rude beyond belief…

2012

May

REMEMBERING MAURICE SENDAK By David Bianculli

Maurice Sendak died Tuesday at age 83, and the media are paying proper tribute – if you know where to look, and listen. Tuesday’s edition of NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross is devoted to Sendak, and includes a crushingly tender and raw interview. Then there are the folks at Moyers & Company, who distributed this full-length program from NOW in which Moyers talks to Sendak – and begins the interview by quoting what Joseph Campbell told Moyers about the hidden message of Where the Wild Things Are. – DB

2012

May

'NEW GIRL' STAR JAKE JOHNSON REFLECTS ON THE SHOW'S FIRST SEASON By Ed Bark

Jake Johnson's very first pilot, New Girl, hit Fox running in September and became this season's first and really only instant hit. The actor reflects on the show's debut season, and his passion for Chicago sports...

2012

May

GLEE By David Bianculli

I know, I agreed that this series had failed to earn a regular Best Bets slot at this point of the season. But hey: this is prom night. And Brittany (Heather Morris), as class president, is doing everything she can to see her very specific, and peculiar, visions come true. Meanwhile, speaking of visions: Finn and Rachel look very decked out for the occasion.

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