After an intentionally, almost absurdly extended audition round sequence, this series finally gets down to business, as week one of the battle rounds begins. The judges begin mentoring – and bringing along guest advisers as part of the competitive proceedings.

2012

Oct

ALPHAS By David Bianculli

David Strathairn keeps injecting his incomparable gravitas into this sci-fi series, and helping turn it into a strong series about extended families, unexpected betrayals, and palpable paranoia. Tonight’s new episode features guest star Sean Astin, who plays an Alpha with intensified memorization skills. Unforgettable lives!

2012

Oct

CASTLE By David Bianculli

This week’s episode plays off the popularity of Storage Wars and other shows of its odd ilk, and has Castle and Beckett (Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic) infiltrating that very boxed-in world.

2012

Oct

2012 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS By David Bianculli

The unprecedented wild-card playoff system instituted this year, which had the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles advancing in sudden-death games, makes this first Sunday of postseason play especially complicated. Game 2 of the Oakland Athletics-Detroit Tigers contest is played at noon ET, available on the MLB Network. The rest of the day’s games are on TBS: Washington Nationals vs. the Cardinals at 3 p.m. ET, New York Yankees vs. the Orioles at 6 p.m. ET, and, finally, the Cincinna

2012

Oct

THE SIMPSONS By David Bianculli

I really feel old around this time each year – not because of my imminent birthday, but because The Simpsons serves up another Treehouse of Horror, an annual pre-Halloween treat which is now up to Roman numeral XXIII. I treasure these episodes as among the show’s most inventive, and they almost always have a MAD magazine-level tossaway sight gag that leaves me laughing, and smiling, for a long time. This year, as part of a quick playlet on the Mayan doomsday prophecies, takes u

2012

Oct

THE GOOD WIFE By David Bianculli

Last week’s season premiere, with all its unexpected political intrigue regarding a routine traffic stop, was an instant reminder of why this drama series remains one of the best shows on broadcast TV. It also was a reminder of why Kalinda (Archie Panjabi), now face to face and a lot more with her ex-husband (Marc Warren), also deserves our loyal attention. And in a new recurring role as a trustee advising the law firm, Nathan Lane made a strong first impression as well. Welcome back, Good

2012

Oct

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC: "UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS" By David Bianculli

This serves as a dual reminder: Not only does PBS present Episode 2 of the excellent new British import Call the Midwife tonight at 8 ET, but that’s followed at 9 p.m. ET by the Season 3 premiere of the new Upstairs, Downstairs on Masterpiece Classic, featuring Laura Haddock as Beryl Ballard. Check local listings.

2012

Oct

HOMELAND By David Bianculli

Last week’s Season 2 premiere was everything we’d hope Homeland would be when it returned – and tonight’s follow-up episode is even better. Both Carrie (Claire Danes) and Brody (Damian Lewis) get in a bit too deep, and rely on their own wits to extricate themselves.

2012

Oct

1960: 'ROUTE 66' DROVE ONTO CBS By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1960, CBS introduced the ambitious series, Route 66...

2012

Oct

'STEEL MAGNOLIAS': LIFETIME REMAKES A CLASSIC, AND DOES IT WELL By Ed Bark

Steel Magnolias makes for a Lifetime movie of distinction in times when ABC, CBS and NBC have all but abandoned this once thriving genre....

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