Did NBC commit one of the dumbest editorial decisions in broadcast TV history during its coverage of the Olympic Closing Ceremony? Tell us what you think...

2012

Aug

TRILOGY OF TERROR: SPECIAL EDITION By David Bianculli

On March 4, 1975, a few months before Steven Spielberg’s Jaws terrorized moviegoers nationwide, this ABC telemovie provided another giant scare from a relentless set of teeth...

2012

Aug

HOTEL HELL By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: Part 1 of 2. Gordon Ramsay has become the most ubiquitous face on Fox, and here comes his latest series – in which he visits small hotel and bed-and-breakfast establishments and point out room (if not rooms) for improvement. In this two-part opener, he visits an inn in Vermont, and determines that it stinks. Literally. And though Ramsay’s blunt and bullying attitude can make him an unwelcome visitor, he’s one pest who checks in, and does check out. For a full r

2012

Aug

THE CLOSER By David Bianculli

SERIES FINALE: Kyra Sedgwick says goodbye to her starring role as Brenda, in a plot that pits her, yet again, against her hated adversary. But this is the last time, so expect a little finality – though not regarding the setting or supporting characters, because they’re sticking around. For a fond farewell to Kyra Sedgwick and Brenda, read Diane Werts’ appreciation in For Better or Werts.

2012

Aug

GRIMM By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: NBC promoted this series heavily during the Olympics, and is hoping that launching its second season the night after the Olympics end will result in a much larger audience for this genre show. In the opener, the series borrows a page from True Blood, and features an animalistic shape-shifter. It also borrows from Once Upon a Time, and has one of its main characters (Juliette, played by Bitsie Tulloch) stuck in a spell-induced, memory-erasing deep sleep.

2012

Aug

MYTHBUSTERS JAWSOME SHARK SPECIAL By David Bianculli

There was so much good TV going on last night that I didn’t have room in Best Bets to note the 25h anniversary arrival of Shark Week. But I get to correct that tonight, by noting that the finny festivities begin tonight with Air Jaws Apocalypse Reloaded, a ridiculous name for its latest special about the great whites that like to hunt while launching themselves out of the water. Whether that, and two dozen other familiar stories about sharks, can be believed, is the subject of the 10 p.m.

2012

Aug

MAJOR CRIMES By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: The spinoff to The Closer gets to begin by premiering right after the final episode of the series that launched it – an absolute rarity on television. For a full review, see this column from Ed Bark’s Uncle Barky’s Bytes.

2012

Aug

LATE LATE SHOW THROWBACK: SHARK WEEK By Eric Gould

It was 2010 when Craig Ferguson introduced us to Brian the Shark in a monologue for The Late Late Show on CBS. Brian used the moment to announce Ferguson's gig as host of Discovery Channels' Shark Week specials...

2012

Aug

THE OLYMPICS: A BRITISH PERSPECTIVE By Akass & McCabe

Television turned London into a global media village, and the cities Opening and Closing Ceremonies shared moments that were beguiling, bonkers and utterly British...

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