DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

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LINDA DONOVAN

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NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
2012
Sep
28
 
 
On this day in 1991, ABC introduced the dramedy, The Commish...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
28
 
 
This weekend’s new Bill Moyers report makes me furious. Not at Mr. Moyers, but at what he uncovers, and explains so well, in this lengthy piece called The United States of ALEC. ALEC is an acronym for American Legislative Exchange Council, a powerful lobbying group that not only influences local legislation, but helps draft it. It’s supposed to be bipartisan, but really isn’t. Isn’t supposed to be a lobbying outfit, but really is. And is designated by the government as no
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
28
 
 
Given the recent passing of Michael Clarke Duncan, it seems fitting to note this AMC rebroadcast of the 1999 role that brought him to prominence: that of a prison inmate with supernatural powers, in this Tom Hanks movie based on a Stephen King story.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
27
 
 
Steve Allen's first NBC show, broadcast on September 27, 1954, launched Tonight! into orbit, and it hasn't returned since...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
27
 
 
This weekend didn’t provide the sort of headlines that lead to obvious political sketches – but with the first presidential debate only one week away, I suspect that might provide fodder for a lengthy sketch on tonight’s second of two prime-time SNL specials. Jason Sudeikis continues his role as Mitt Romney, and Jay Pharaoh takes over as the SNL impersonator for Barack Obama.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
27
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: As Season 6 begins, Howard (Simon Helberg) is both a newlywed and a rocket man, continuing his orbital experience on the International Space Station. And back on Earth, worlds are colliding – specifically, with all three of the earthbound male buddies experiencing significant problems with their female significant others.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
27
 
 
SERIES PREMIERE: Andre Braugher, one  of my favorite TV actors, gets a new series lead – and a strong one – as a submarine commander who ends up questioning orders, and for good reason. The premise, and tonight’s pilot, are strong enough to warrant a visit. For other reactions to this new series, see our 2012 TVWW Fall TV Preview page – and for more lengthy reviews, see Gerald Jordan’s Crossing Jordan and Ed Bark’s Uncle Barky’s Bytes.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
27
 
 
You don’t have to buy a ticket to Lincoln Center, or even get dressed up, to enjoy the season’s opening gala, featuring Itzhak Perlman performing a varied evening of violin pieces.  Among them: segments from the John Williams score Perlman performed for the Steven Spielberg movie Schindler’s List. In addition to Williams, other composers on the bill include Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, and Massenet. Check local listings.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
27
 
 
SEASON FINALE: Louis C.K. not only won an Emmy Sunday night for writing this series, but appeared as a presenter with Amy Poehler. I mention that because Poehler is one of the guest stars on tonight’s Louie season finale, so there are two more reasons to watch: see an Emmy winner, and see an Amy winner.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2012
Sep
27
 
 
For kids and teenagers of the time, it was Andy Williams' TV show, not his Billboard charters, that mattered...