HBO presents a new, tender tribute to the most famous actor in the history of its network: the late, great James Gandolfini. Intimate behind-the-scenes footage is used, and stories are shared, including some by Sopranos co-star Edie Falco.

2013

Dec

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC: "DOWNTON ABBEY" By David Bianculli

The third season repeats continue – and, next week, conclude, to make room for new Season 4 episodes the first week of 2014. So if you need a refresher, or to catch up, here’s another well-timed two-hour repeat installment. Check local listings.

2013

Dec

THE WIZARD OF OZ By David Bianculli

Once it was one of the big deals of the TV holiday season – the then-annual special showing of The Wizard of Oz. Now it’s being shown tonight as a cable double header (repeating at 9:15 p.m. ET). But if you’re trying to replicate the feel of “family viewing” traditions over the holidays, the land of Oz is a wonderful place to start.

2013

Dec

AUNTIE MAME By David Bianculli

Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote the screenplay for this Rosalind Russell vehicle, based on the book by Patrick Dennis. This movie was released in 1958. Less than a decade later, Broadway unveiled a musical version, starring Angela Lansbury as Mame and Bea Arthur as bosom buddy Vera.

2013

Dec

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW By David Bianculli

A new episode of this freewheeling British talk show has Ben Stiller visiting to publicize his Secret Life of Walter Mitty movie – alongside Martin Freeman, who’s publicizing the latest Hobbit film. But don’t expect either of them, in this context, to do the standard talk-show spiel. Norton never supports it – or allows it.

2013

Dec

ARGO By David Bianculli

On such a slow night, it’s nice to have an exciting movie to turn to – and here’s one, from 2012, retelling the long-suppressed story about the rescue of U.S. embassy workers after the start of the hostage crisis in Iran. Alan Arkin and John Goodman are a delight, and Ben Affleck, as both star and director, gained a new level of respect in Hollywood. And look! Bryan Cranston, too!

2013

Dec

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE By David Bianculli

For the last new show of 2013, SNL presents an all-star tag-team of guest host and musical guest: Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake. This is one to watch – and, most probably, to record and save.

2013

Dec

I LOVE LUCY By David Bianculli

I’m of two minds about this one-hour special, which pairs and colorizes two old episodes of I Love Lucy for modern prime-time consumption. One mind, the TV historian and teacher, is happy for anything that keeps old television alive, for younger audiences especially. Besides, in addition to the “Lucy stomps grapes” episode, there’s also a Lucy Christmas episode which was never part of TV’s syndication package. So that’s all good. But the other mind – the

2013

Dec

ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY By David Bianculli

Anchorman 2 opened this week in theaters, bringing back Will Ferrell’s local-TV newsman and inserting him into the nascent 24-hour cable news scene in 1980. All his cronies are back as well, which makes it even more fun to return to this original comedy, made nine years ago, to appreciate what started the slow but steady groundswell for another visit with Ron Burgundy and his pals.

2013

Dec

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION By David Bianculli

John Hughes wrote this 1989 comedy, which once again puts Chevy Chase at the center of a slapstick-heavy story about the Griswold family. Randy Quaid all but steals the show as cousin Eddie, but watch the Griswold kids, who received a major upgrade for this holiday sequel. In 1983’s original National Lampoon’s Vacation, Rusty and Audrey were played, respectively, by Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron. Six years later, for Christmas Vacation, the young actors playing those roles are

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