Douglas Rushkoff, who provided Frontline with Merchants of Cool in 2001, takes another try, in another decade, at explaining the sly ways in which young people are targeted by marketers. In this case, it has to do with tapping into their desires to be part of a group, to be famous, and simply to be noticed, using Facebook and other social media, while companies use them just as eagerly. My only quandary here is, should I “Like” Generation Like on social media? Or should I just say I

2014

Feb

THE XXII OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES By David Bianculli

One of the biggest stories at the Olympics today is the gold medal final in ice dancing, where U.S. favorites Meryl Davis and Charlie White have a significant lead going into the free dance final event. Viewers can watch them live on NBCSN beginning at 10 a.m. ET, or watch for the way NBC repackages the event for prime time, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The prime-time features on Davis and White have been very effective, showing them skating together almost since birth, and going on an endlessly repe

2014

Feb

VERONICA GUERIN By David Bianculli

This 2003 movie tells an intense and interesting true story, about a persistent newspaper crime reporter in Dublin whose efforts to cover the expanding drug trade in her country made her the target of vengeful drug lords. An additional reason to see the movie at this point in time, though, is because the title role, in this seldom televised movie, is played by Cate Blanchett, up for another Oscar this year for her brilliant work in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine.

2014

Feb

THE MUSIC MAN By David Bianculli

Can’t help it. I love this movie, and I love whenever TCM televises it, because it’s at the proper screen ratio, and presented uninterrupted. Robert Preston and Shirley Jones star, with ample support from a totally charming barbershop quartet. "Lida Rose, I’m home again, Rose…"

2014

Feb

INSIDE COMEDY By David Bianculli

Tonight, David Steinberg focuses on two comedians who have established themselves as dramatic actors as well: Bette Midler, who’s as strong a singer as she is an actor and joke-teller, and Richard Belzer, a standup comic who made the transition to dramatic acting in general, and decades of playing Det. John Munch in particular.

2014

Feb

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: Watch and record this, because it’s a little piece of instant TV history. It’s the first time The Tonight Show has emanated from New York since Johnny Carson departed for California in 1972, and the first Tonight Show hosted by Jimmy Fallon – performing in the same 30 Rock studio that once housed Carson and, before him, Jack Paar. Tonight, Tonight starts another chapter in its long, impressive history, which began nationally on NBC in 1954. Opening-night schedu

2014

Feb

THE XXII OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES By David Bianculli

Last night, in prime time, NBC presented its 2014 equivalent of the “Do you believe in miracles?” Olympics men’s hockey match between Russia and the U.S. – and once again, Al Michaels was there to put it in perspective. Somehow, I suspect, NBC will find a way to replay that latest overtime thriller yet again, while reminding viewers that, yes, this year’s Olympics will be providing its own highlights, and heroes, for the ages. Among tonight’s highlights on NBC

2014

Feb

PASSING STRANGE By David Bianculli

Shown on PBS’s Great Performances in 2009, this is Spike Lee’s filmed version of the semi-autobiographical stage musical by Stew, with music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald. It’s about a young black man who leaves Los Angeles to see, then live in, Europe, as part of his search for identity. Stars, reprising their acclaimed stage roles, are Daniel Breaker as Youth, Elsa Davis as Mother, and De’Adre Aziza, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge and Rebecca Naomi Jones in multiple roles.

2014

Feb

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC: "DOWNTON ABBEY" By David Bianculli

It’s episode seven of Season 4 – and we’re getting closer to the season finale, which brings with it the return of one familiar American character and the introduction of another. Meanwhile, at least one private romance goes defiantly public – but there may be troubled waters ahead. Check local listings.

2014

Feb

THE WALKING DEAD By David Bianculli

Last week’s midseason premiere split its time between two groups of survivors from last season: Rick and his son Carl (Andrew Lincoln, Chandler Riggs), and Michonne (Dinai Gurira) and her replacement set of armless, led-by-ropes zombie decoys. This week, we follow some of the other survivors – who, like everyone else, is facing steep odds finding their way after barely escaping the prison.

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