SERIES RETURN: Peter Funt, son of original Candid Camera host Allen Funt, co-hosts this latest revival series with Mayim Bialik of The Big Bang Theory, bringing back a TV show so old, it predates television. (It began on radio as Candid Microphone in 1947, and became TV’s Candid Camera a year later.) And those viewers old enough to remember some of this show’s original good-natured pranks will recognize one of them tonight, as Megan Hilty from Smash recreates the old hidden-camera cl

2014

Aug

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE By David Bianculli

Ten Marlon Brando movies are shown today and tonight, as TCM devotes the day to one of the most influential actors in cinema history. Watch him explode, and change all the rules, as Stanley Kowalski in this 1951 film version of his stunning Broadway debut. Then stay tuned, and strap in, because Brando isn’t through yet. At 10:15 p.m. ET, he stars in 1953’s The Wild One, playing the rebel in a biker gang movie that provided one of the inspirations for the name of The Beatles. Then, at

2014

Aug

JAWS STRIKES BACK By David Bianculli

Shark Week continues on Discovery with two more prime-time premieres with bite. At 10 p.m. ET, the network presents Monster Hammerhead, which brings to mind that soothing old folk tune (“If I had a hammerhead…”). And before that, at 9 p.m. ET, Discovery presents Jaws Strikes Back, a new documentary showcasing the technology of and images from a new robotic underwater vehicle called, of course, the SharkCam. For those who remember David Letterman’s MonkeyCam, this hardly

2014

Aug

MURDER IN THE FIRST By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: Fans of any show want to catch a season finale, but there’s extra incentive for watching this one. This Steven Bochco series has spent the entire season on a single story line and murder case – and tonight, the story concludes, and the verdict will be rendered. By viewers, at least.

2014

Aug

THE APPROVAL MATRIX By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: I’ve subscribed to New York magazine for decades, and its back-page feature of late, “The Approval Matrix,” is a weekly, witty attempt to pin all things pop cultural on a mathematical-type graph – on a range from “highbrow” to “lowbrow” on one line, and “brilliant” to “despicable” on the other. It’s a different way to steer the talk, and select subjects, during a talk show – and though making thi

2014

Aug

SHARK WEEK: "AIR JAWS: FIN OF FURY" By David Bianculli

Since 1987, Discovery Channel has been mounting Shark Week, and it’s become one of the most tenured institutions in cable television. Spoofs and spinoffs litter the TV landscape, and even Discovery presents specials this week that are as tongue in cheek as they are sharp of teeth. The week of shark-related specials begins at 8 p.m. ET with Air Jaws: Fin of Fury, described as “the search for a missing mega shark” (think Loch Ness Monster Week), and includes, later this week, Pau

2014

Aug

TRUE BLOOD By David Bianculli

Lots of damsels are in distress in this episode, which gets us even closer to the show’s impending series finale. Some of the damsels are re-born again (Anna Camp’s vampire-hater Sarah Newland), others are undead but suddenly facing the “true death” (Deborah Ann Woll’s Jessica, pictured), and still others are in danger of being bled to death for their intoxicating blood (a subset that would include both Andy’s surviving faerie daughter and the leading characte

2014

Aug

THE STRAIN By David Bianculli

Eph’s scientist partner may have found events here too bloody and gruesome and deadly, and fled the hunt, but Eph and experienced monster hunter Setrakian carry on. Tonight, the trail they’re following leads to a very dark and slimy place – and I’m not speaking just metaphorically.

2014

Aug

ANNIE HALL By David Bianculli

This 1977 Woody Allen movie is one of the funniest, most inventive, most influential comedy films ever made. Several of its comic set pieces, from the argument-settling ambush appearance by Marshall McLuhan to the subtitled and split-screen dual perspectives, are by now iconic, and many of even the smallest roles pop with brilliance: Jeff Goldblum’s “I forgot my mantra,” for example, and Christopher Walken’s crazy silent stare (pictured). But give much of the credit to Di

2014

Aug

MANHATTAN By David Bianculli

On tonight’s episode, Frank continues to push for his theory of implosion as the preferred method of triggering a nuclear “gadget,” despite dismissive responses from those above him. Meanwhile, around him, other antagonistic forces are gathering – including the base’s MPs.

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