There were plenty of strong performances in the past two days, but I was most impressed by the judges, who successfully presented the impression that they liked sharing air time with one another (and even the same stage, performing). That may not sound difficult – but have you seen American Idol lately? And if you haven’t, that may be the reason why.

2013

May

AMERICAN IDOL By David Bianculli

This is the two-hour installment in which the final three female contestants will sing, repeatedly, for a shot at participating in next week’s final. One of them will not be back next week. And as for the female judges, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, it’s fair to say that one of them, most probably, will not be back next season. Perhaps both.

2013

May

DON'T SAY NO UNTIL I FINISH TALKING: THE STORY OF RICHARD D. ZANUCK By David Bianculli

This new TCM profile of Richard D. Zanuck profiles the prolific and feisty movie producer, who helped redefine cinema with the idea of a blockbuster movie, courtesy of Jaws in 1975. Before that, he’d already produced such films as The Sting, The Sound of Music and Compulsion. After that, his film productions included Driving Miss Daisy, Big Fish and the recent remake of Alice in Wonderland. Zanuck died last year. This, as they say, is his story.

2013

May

MODERN FAMILY By David Bianculli

The extended family ends up at a local roller rink for a fundraiser, and the sight of some of them, on skates, isn’t exactly a portrait of grace. Phil takes the opportunity to try to teach Gloria to skate, which is not a pretty sight. But it should be a funny one…

2013

May

THE VOICE By David Bianculli

Last night, Adam Levine and Usher did most of the heavy lifting: Their teams were the ones performing and competing, and when they weren’t singing, Adam Levine and Usher were (tackling Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”). Tonight, as the live playoff round continues, the singers from Team Shakira and Team Blake take center stage. And so does Shakira, who, like Usher last night, is doing live TV on The Voice for the first time this week.

2013

May

THE ASPHALT JUNGLE By David Bianculli

This 1950 caper film stars Sterling Hayden and Jean Hagen, but watch for the then-unknown actress playing Angela. She’s played by Marilyn Monroe, in one of her first movie roles – and one that captures the charisma for which she became very, very famous.

2013

May

NEW GIRL By David Bianculli

Last week, Jess and Nick (Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson) finally succumbed to their oddball mutual chemistry. But neither of them could have imagined their first post-coital experience – which turns out to be a sudden, unexpected visit from Jess’ dad, in a return appearance by guest star Rob Reiner.

2013

May

CONSTITUTION USA WITH PETER SAGAL By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: This four-part nonfiction examination of our founding document begins tonight, and comes courtesy of Peter Sagal, the quick-witted host of public radio’s wonderful Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me. Here, though, he wants to tell you, and he’s in the driver’s seat – specifically, straddling a Harley and zipping across the country in search of intriguing constitutional issues. Check local listings.

2013

May

SHAUN OF THE DEAD By David Bianculli

This charming, quirky 2004 movie was way ahead of its time, arriving ahead of the current zombie craze (The Walking Dead) and the even more current spate of zombie-romance comedy movies. Simon Pegg stars as Shaun, a slacker determined to win back his ex-girlfriend in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Co-stars include Lucy Davis, who played Dawn in the original British version of The Office.

2013

May

WAYNE WHITE'S WORLD OF ART AND HUMOR By Eric Gould

Wayne White's world, newly revealed on DVD, is an infectious collision of inspiration, motivation and never-ending curiosity...

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