Jesus Christ Superstar may be the closest Broadway analogue to Hamilton, in both approach and reception, so seeing this 1973 movie adaptation in this new era is quite instructive. This rock opera, by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, started as a concept album, then was transferred to the stage, with Ben Vereen and Yvonne Elliman its breakout stars as, respectively, Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene. Elliman reprises her stage (and original LP) role in this film, but Vereen does not. Judas, in t

2016

Jun

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET By David Bianculli

Now here’s a classic. This is a filmed performance by the 1982 national touring company of Sweeney Todd, with George Hearn replacing Len Cariou in the title role (very commendably), but with Angela Lansbury still playing her Tony-winning role as cannibalistic piemaker Mrs. Lovett. Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics are as good as musicals get, the story is great, and this particular performance is well worth setting your DVRs to capture. Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd…

2016

Jun

2016 WINBLEDON TENNIS By David Bianculli

ESPN provides all-day coverage from Wimbledon, including today’s early-round play with both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (though not playing each other).

2016

Jun

MACBETH By David Bianculli

It’s Shakespeare night on TCM, and ’tis a night devoutly to be wished. It begins with 1948’s movie version of Macbeth – the one mounted by Orson Welles and his Mercury Players, seven years after they presented Citizen Kane. Welles and Jeanette Nolan star.

2016

Jun

ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY WITH BILL SIMMONS By David Bianculli

Last week’s series premiere was sports-heavy, but not disappointing, and certainly provided lively conversation, between Charles Barkley on LeBron James and Ben Affleck on Deflategate (pictured). But months of planning went into the premiere, so let’s see how installment two fares, on a regular seven-day production and preparation schedule.

2016

Jun

HAMLET By David Bianculli

And as more of tonight’s TCM Shakespeare festival, there’s a showing of the 1948 production directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, with Jean Simmons as Ophelia and lots and lots of recognizable supporting and bit players, including Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Patrick Macnee, and early Doctor Who Patrick Troughton.

2016

Jun

‘DEAD OF SUMMER’ BRINGS BACK THE WARM WEATHER STAPLE: SPOOKY, SCARY CAMP By David Hinckley

It’s so heartening to know that in this turbulent world of uncertainty we can count on a few foundational constants...

2016

Jun

THE PARENT TRAP By David Bianculli

Another night of Disney offerings, billed as “Treasures from the Disney Vault,” begins with Hayley Mills in the dual role that made her a minor movie star – as in, a movie star who was a minor – in 1961’s The Parent Trap. She plays long-separated twins who meet, then scheme to reunite their long-divorced single parents. And when this delightful movie concludes at 10:15 a.m. ET, that’s when the really interesting stuff comes out of the vault, starting with such

2016

Jun

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT By David Bianculli

Because of U.S. Olympic swimming trials televised at 8 p.m. ET, tonight’s two-hour episode of America’s Got Talent moves to 9 – which pre-empts tonight’s regularly scheduled episode of Maya & Marty. Just in case you were looking for it…

2016

Jun

THE GREAT WHITE SERIAL KILLER By David Bianculli

This title may sound racist, but it’s actually just another new entry in this year’s Shark Week festival on Discovery. As are, for that matter, tonight’s other prime-time Discovery offerings, Jaws of the Deep (8 p.m. ET) and Air Jaws: Night Stalker.

Posts 681-690 of 1879

68 69 70 71 72

New From TVWW

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy

Dispatches From TVWW

'Extinction: The Facts' is a Sobering Call to Action

How 'Mayans' Has Been Influenced by the Show's Creator Elgin James

For Whom the Bell Tolls: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick Take on Ernest Hemingway, the Man and the Myth

In the Final Season, Sutton Foster's Liza is Now the Genuine Version of Her 'Younger' Self

Season 2 of 'City on a Hill' Returns with Kevin Bacon, Aldis Hodge, and Boston Corruption