DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
2008
Jan
30
 
 
Tomorrow, January 31, is the start of the February ratings sweeps, one of those months set aside, in a increasingly archaic practice, to use ratings results to establish future advertising rates. This year, the February sweeps end on February 27 , leaving the last two days (it's a Leap Year) out of the running...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
29
 
 
We're closing in on the start of the fourth month of the Writers Guild of America strike - 87 days so far, and counting, in which TV has done without most of its writers, and viewers are having to do without much of their regular television fare. But with the Oscars only 26 days away, there's reason to hope that an end to the strike really is in sight...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
28
 
 
I'm presenting a full review of HBO's new "In Treatment" series on today's "Fresh Air with Terry Gross," so I won't repeat myself here. Instead, I'll do more of a bloggy thing, and talk about how, and how completely, this innovative new series got me hooked...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
25
 
 
Legendary circus showman P.T. Barnum once reportedly insisted, "You'll never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." In a related story (as Conan O'Brien might set up the segue), the Fox series "Moment of Truth" drew huge numbers in its prime-time debut Wednesday.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
24
 
 
One month from today, the Academy Awards are scheduled to be presented on ABC. Because of the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America, and the refusal to cross picket lines by most members of the Screen Actors Guild, that globally popular and profitable awards show is very much at risk this year...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
23
 
 
Ringo Starr, promoting his first all-new CD in decades, has returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater, the site of his live American TV debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 44 years ago, and performed on "Late Show with David Letterman." Dave saved Ringo for last, walked over and chatted with him for a few moments after the former Beatle and his band performed "Liverpool 8," and that was that...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
22
 
 
The Fox network, which in the past has presented such reprehensible unscripted TV as "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?," "The Littlest Groom," "When Animals Attack" and so many others, tomorrow night at presents another new series sure to attract headlines - and, most likely, lots of viewers. It's "Moment of Truth..." in more ways than one...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
21
 
 
The writers' strike has made late-night TV more interesting to watch these days than prime time. Most talk shows have found increasingly inventive, or bizarre, ways to fill time without marquee guests - while David Letterman and Craig Ferguson, whose special agreement with the Writers Guild of America allows actors to visit without facing picket lines...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
18
 
 
I suspect, when I describe AMC's new "Breaking Bad" series to you, the description alone won't make you eager to see it - because it didn't make me eager to see it. Having watched three episodes, though, all I can do is beg you to give the new series, premiering Sunday night at 10 p.m. ET, a chance...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2008
Jan
17
 
 
I'm tired. Tired of watching all the late-night shows, night after night, to see who's doing what, not doing what, and how various shows are faring with or without writers. Two weeks after the returns of Jay, Dave, Conan and Craig, there still are a lot of surprises, a lot of shifting... and a lot that's missing...