The point of this new edition of Nature is to explain how beavers, once hunted nearly to extinction, can help strengthen ecosystems in this age of global warming, and are being watched, and aided, carefully by scientists, who are encouraging their dam efforts. The point of me highlighting this particular Nature installment, however, is mostly because I adore its TV-related title: Leave It to Beavers. Makes me smile. Check local listings.

2014

May

MODERN FAMILY By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: Part 1 of 2. This two-part episode of Modern Family is important, in social and TV history terms, precisely because it doesn’t try to be important. It’s the wedding of Mitchell and Cam (Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet), a gay wedding now legally sanctioned in the fictional characters’ home state of California. It comes after last week’s unexpectedly poignant episode, in which Mitchell fought with his conservative father (Ed O’Neill as Jay) abou

2014

May

NASHVILLE By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: Season 2 ends with an excuse for another concert. There are plenty of plots being resolved, or lurching into unexpected directions – but, as it should, the action ends up on stage, where Juliette and Rayna (Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton), among others, hold court.

2014

May

THE AMERICANS By David Bianculli

As this series nears the end of its own Season 2 climax, the stakes are deadly, as Elizabeth and Phillip find themselves as both hunters and hunted – and, horrifyingly, learn that their own children may, once again, be in danger because of their parents’ illicit spy activities.

2014

May

ABC’S NEW FALL 2014 SHOWS: FIRST CLIPS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS By David Bianculli

For the fall 2014 TV season, ABC is presenting four new sitcoms and one new drama – with several other shows on tap for midseason…

2014

May

FOX’S NEW FALL 2014 SHOWS: FIRST CLIPS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS By David Bianculli

Fox announced its plans Monday for the 2014-15 TV season, and beyond. Focusing on the fall 2014 announcements, the good news is that most of its new shows may be…good...

2014

May

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: This series, by Joss Whedon and cohorts, was renewed earlier this week by ABC for a second season – so any cliffhangers at the end of tonight’s Season 1 finale won’t go unresolved. Meanwhile, expect some heroics from Coulson (Clark Gregg) and his few remaining colleagues – and, perhaps, even a cameo or two from the wider S.H.I.E.L.D. family as represented in the Iron Man and Avengers movies.

2014

May

NCIS By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: This is the Season 11 finale for this series, making it one of prime-time’s most durable scripted series. And this particular season ends not with a jarring cliffhanger or game-changer, but a salute to a former recurring character – and to the recently deceased actor who played him. The character is Gibbs’ dad, played by Ralph Waite, the beloved patriarch of The Waltons. And in appearing at his father’s funeral in this episode, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) also retu

2014

May

RIOT By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: Not only is Steve Carell a contestant on this strange new comedy-based game show series – he’s also an executive producer. He’s imported this format, and revised it for American audiences, from the Australian series Slide Show, which itself is a format reboot of a similar idea from a French series, Vendredri Tout est Permis Avec Arthur (translated to On Fridays, Anything Goes with Arthur). In all versions, teams of celebrities compete in challenges and games, a

2014

May

FRONTLINE: "UNITED STATES OF SECRETS" By David Bianculli

Part 1 of 2. This is an unusual offering by Frontline – an ambitious two-parter on the subject of U.S. secret surveillance efforts, looking into its history, scope and ramifications, from the rise of “The Program” after 9/11 to the whistle-blowing revelations by Edward Snowden (pictured) and beyond. What’s unusual isn’t the scope, or the multi-part investigation. What’s unusual is that, in this case, each part is produced by a different long-time Frontline con

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