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

 
 
2013
Jul
6
 
 
As this series scrambles to write its way to oblivion, wrapping up as many plot threads as possible before its swift cancellation, it makes so little sense that it seems like Zero Hour – another ABC series overloaded with conspiracies, coincidences and contrived characters. The supernatural underpinnings of 666 Park Avenue have given way to some Da Vinci Code-like revelations about a mysterious group known as the “illuminati.” Ironic, since the series itself is about to go dark
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
6
 
 
This series, too, was canceled and yanked quickly by its network, then brought back for a summer burn-off of episodes that were produced but not televised. This series, at least, is more interesting than convoluted – though, tonight, its plot has the hero getting involved in an uncomfortable romantic triangle. Why so uncomfortable?  Because it’s with his girlfriend and his own sinister alter ego. Two's company and three's a crowd, all at once...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
5
 
 
The men’s semifinals at Wimbledon this year feature the two top seeds prepared to advance to the finals, but with some very determined lower-rated seeds between them and the big game. No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic (pictured) has been dominant throughout the tournament, not even losing a set thus far. But his opponent today, eighth-seeded Juan del Potro, has been similarly successful this far, and hasn’t lost a set at Wimbledon yet either. By the time their first set is over this morning,
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
5
 
 
The Walking Dead walk down memory lane – and it’s a slow, zombie-like walk – continues today with Season 2, repeated in its entirety, beginning with the gang’s exodus from Atlanta. If you’re looking for an entertaining way to spend the day waching TV, here’s a gripping one.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
5
 
 
It’s nearing 54 years since the premiere of the first TV series built primarily on a teenager’s point of view, and all four seasons are now available on DVD...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
5
 
 
Already, this new NBC series, which premiered Monday, is awash in symbolism and irony. Its premiere, opposite the second episode of CBS’s summer hit Under the Dome, drew only an estimated 3.2 million viewers. Both new series are scripted shows about a suddenly isolated group of people – a small town in Dome, contestants in a reality show in Siberia (actually filmed on location in Manitoba, Canada). Dome, by Stephen King, grabbed viewers immediately. Siberia, scheduled against it, not
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
5
 
 
Here’s a rare, exciting mini-marathon for cinemaphiles and Francophiles alike. Film critic turned filmmaker Francois Truffaut made his initial reputation with this 1959 movie, an unblinking, only occasional sentimental look at French street kid Antoine Doinel, played by young, dynamic Jean-Pierre Leaud. And Truffaut returned to the story of Antoine Doinel several times, and all those Truffaut-Leaud collaborations are presented tonight, in order, by TCM. First, at 9:45 p.m. ET, comes the 19
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
5
 
 
Just as Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais wrapped up their British comedy series The Office with a subsequent telemovie special, so they revisit their Life’s Too Short series,  starring Warwick Davis, with one last made-for-TV stand-alone special. Warwick, as always, plays an exaggerated version of himself, and tonight’s clever finale, guest starring Val Kilmer, is a lot of fun even if you are unfamiliar with Life’s Too Short, and the trip of British TV guest-star vets al
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
4
 
 
The annual Twilight Zone Syfy marathon takes off at 8 a.m. ET, and today’s lineup includes many of the show’s durable, lovable, iconic classics. Two of the best are written by the prolific and inventive Richard Matheson, who died last month, leaving behind a durable legacy of fantasy film and TV offerings. (For a Top 10 list of Matheson’s finest TV achievements, see Bianculli’s Blog.) Matheson is the writer behind “The Invaders” (5:30 p.m. ET), in which Agnes
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Jul
4
 
 
There are two mini-marathons going on here. One, starting at 1 p.m. ET today, replays the first six-episode season of The Walking Dead, with Seasons 2 and 3 following over the next few days. The other, starting tonight at 8 p.m. ET,  presents a handful of specially selected Walking Dead episodes presented not in the original color presentation, but drained to even creepier black and white – beginning with the season pilot (pictured).