Even though it’s on cable, and its telecast is no longer a big deal, I still think it’s worth pointing out that it’s time, once again, for the first around-the-holidays TV showing of this 1939 classic. And there’s prequel coming soon, so it’s a good time to take a new look at the original. Judy Garland stars.

2012

Nov

THE GOOD WIFE By David Bianculli

Judd Hirsch guest stars this week, playing a particularly feisty judge – and there’s feistiness outside the court as well, including some confrontations that get dangerously physical. Julianna Margulies stars, and Amanda Peet continues her recurring guest role.

2012

Nov

1968: NBC CUTS AWAY FROM JETS-RAIDERS NAILBITER FOR 'HEIDI' By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1968, AFL rivals the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders were locked in a back-and-forth battle for dominance when, with just over a minute to play, NBC cut away from the game to broadcast the previously-scheduled film, Heidi, in the Eastern time zone...

2012

Nov

A TIMELY HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER By David Sicilia

PBS's The Dust Bowl arrives at a propitious moment. Superstorm Sandy recently flooded, pounded, or otherwise disrupted every state East of the Mississippi, but the massive dust storms of the 1930s were by far our nation’s greatest environmental disaster...

2012

Nov

ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE By David Bianculli

Made in 1974, this intimate romantic comedy-drama isn’t the sort of movie you’d instantly associate with its director, Martin Scorsese, who made it between Mean Streets and Taxi Driver. Ellen Burstyn and Kris Kristofferson star – but yes, Harvey Keitel is in here, too, in a small supporting role. Amazingly, this movie inspired a 1976 TV spinoff, CBS’s Alice, starring Linda Lavin as Alice. The movie roles of waitress Flo and diner owner Mel, played by Diane Ladd and

2012

Nov

JOHN CARTER By David Bianculli

This 2012 science fiction film, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars novel, turned out to be the Ishtar of fantasy movies, a thudding box-office and critical failure so instantaneous and universal, it became instantly legendary. Just the sort of movie you’re happy to have avoided in the theaters, but equally happy to check out on TV. So here it is, starring Taylor Kitsch from Friday Night Lights in the title role.

2012

Nov

BEDAZZLED By David Bianculli

Written by and starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, this 1967 comedy take on the Faust story presents Cook as the devil and Moore as his hapless latest victim. The Devil is not above playing underhanded to claim a soul, which is why he enlists the embodiment of Lust, as played by Raquel Welch, to seduce him. It doesn’t work: But you have to give her a Scarlet A for effort.

2012

Nov

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW By David Bianculli

In tonight’s new installment of TV’s most unguarded talk show, Cameron Diaz ropes a cow. I know, it sounds udderly ridiculous, but give it a chance. And on the same show, Diaz reveals that her first stylish haircut was designed to emulate Rod Stewart – and she reveals that to another of Norton’s guests. Namely, Rod Stewart.

2012

Nov

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE By David Bianculli

This week’s guest host is Jeremy Renner, and the musical guest is Maroon 5. I guess, after Anne Hathaway last week, SNL wanted to return the balance closer to the male side of things.

2012

Nov

MOYERS & COMPANY By David Bianculli

This week’s new edition is all about the winds of change – literally. It’s called “Hurricanes, Capitalism and Democracy,” and features, in one segment, Naomi Klein discussing climate change and capitalism. In another segment, Trevor Potter analyzes the true impact of “big money,” the Super PACs and such, on the 2012 election. Important questions – and the answers, my friend, are blowing in the wind. The answers are blowing in the wind. To find wher

Posts 91-100 of 214

9 10 11 12 13

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