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
Sep
26
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: Part 1 of 2. For the first shows back without the late Cory Monteith, Glee is providing a substantial distraction: a two-part episode built around the music of the Beatles. American Idol usually tanks when it takes on the Lennon-McCartney catalog, but Glee, when Chris Colfer’s Kurt sang a slow, soulful “I Want to Hold Your Hand” a while back, did it beautifully. So there’s hope. And there’s nothing they can sing that can’t be sung. It’s
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
26
 
 
SERIES PREMIERE: Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar play father and daughter, both running their family ad agency, in this new CBS comedy. The premiere uses Kelly Clarkson well, and mentions McDonald’s a lot, but only hints at the possibilities of this pairing, especially with David E. Kelley behind the scenes. But because of all these players, and the premise, I expect this show to develop, and sharpen, quickly. For a full review, see Ed Bark’s Uncle Barky’s Bytes.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
26
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: Normally, I wouldn’t point out the return of this latest incarnation of this particular Chuck Lorre comedy. But he’s one of the best at breathing new life into aging shows – and tonight, he adds, as a series regular, Amber Tamblyn, who was terrific as both the star of Joan of Arcadia and a late addition to House. Here, she plays the formerly unmentioned daughter of Charlie, coming home (for the first time), perhaps to roost.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
26
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: This Season 5 premiere picks up eight months later, which has given Kristina (Monica Potter, who was robbed of an Emmy nomination for her work last season) time to be cancer-free. That allows for some changes in her household – but in this opener, there are changes afoot in virtually every household. It’s a pleasure to have this drama series back – and still on the air, period.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
26
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: In this Season 2 premiere, Holmes and Watson take a trip to London. Hey, maybe they’ll see Leslie Knope there. Or me.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
25
 
 
Grossly imperfect parents and their disaffected grown children are hallmarks of the new season. Amongst this bunch, Back in the Game is going to be my designated guilty pleasure...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
25
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: Axl (Charlie McDermott) is starting college – which means a road trip for the Heck family, which means a lot of complaining, a lot of reluctant singing, some unexpected crises… and lots of laughter.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
25
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: Right after picking up its fourth consecutive Emmy as Outstanding Comedy Series, Modern Family returns for a new season. And tonight, Claire and Phil (Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell) are trying to make it so they can spend some quality time without family – modern or otherwise. Meanwhile, Cam (Eric Stonestreet, pictured) once again tries to teach someone a lesson. This time, though, it’s a history lesson.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
25
 
 
SEASON PREMIERE: Last season ended with a sadistic rapist-killer (played by Pablo Schreiber of Orange Is the New Black) surprising Benson (Mariska Hargitay) at gunpoint in her apartment. The action picks up in this season premiere – and the action is brutal and rough. It’s a creepy but impressive guest star turn for Schreiber, but not a pleasant stretch of TV to watch.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2013
Sep
25
 
 
SEASON FINALE: If you’ve watched this far, there’s no way you’re missing tonight’s season finale. And if you haven’t, you’re unlikely to start now. So why give a hard sell? David Tennant stars.