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

 
 
2016
Nov
14
 
 
SERIES PREMIERE: This limited documentary series looks at the history of recorded music – and begins with an installment showcasing the two most influential producers in rock music history. One is Sam Phillips, whose Sun Records in Memphis launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and others. The other is George Martin, who in England produced almost all the singles and albums by the Beatles. For a full review, see David Hinckley’s All Along the
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
14
 
 
Not sick of politics and political intrigue yet? If so, you’re in the silent minority – but that means you might derive special enjoyment from tonight’s new episode of Timeless, which takes its time-traveling team back to the White House, circa the early 1970s. And Watergate. If you record this episode, don't be surprised if it ends up with an 18-and-a-half-minute gap.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
14
 
 
On last week’s acerbic but hilarious post-election installment of Full Frontal, Samantha Bee likened the election of Donald Trump to the installation of a backyard above-ground pool: “Our neighbors will never look at us the same way again.” That episode was presented the day after Trump became President-Elect Trump. For tonight’s episode, she and her writing staff have had a few more days to process… and I’m very interested to see how they’re reacting n
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
13
 
 
Acorn TV, best known as an importer of overseas programming, has banged out a solid hit with a new original production, the period spy drama Close to the Enemy...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
13
 
 
Soon approaching its golden anniversary (it premiered in 1968), 60 Minutes continues not only to survive, but to thrive. Tonight, Lesley Stahl presents the first post-election extended interview with President-Elect Donald Trump. First time I’ve typed that particular appellation, paired with that particular name.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
13
 
 
SEASON FINALE: I’ve been very impressed with this new political documentary series all season, and tonight’s expanded edition concludes one of the most unpredictable, or at less unpredicted, presidential races in American history. I’m calling this a season finale, rather than a series finale, because I hope, in 2020, The Circus will be back. (Along with, I hear some of you thinking, the Democrats.)
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
13
 
 
Last week’s Walking Dead focused entirely on one member of the post-apocalyptic zombie-avoiding family: Daryl (Norman Reedus), who had been carted away and imprisoned by Negan and the Saviors. In the end, Negan offered Daryl a chance to join his group – and Daryl refused. This week, we shift our focus back to Alexandria, and to Rick (Andrew Lincoln), who hasn’t been seen in the past two episodes.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
13
 
 
This series is beginning to percolate in the awareness of viewers, with more discussion each week in social media about the show’s true direction. It’s a timely escalation, because the android creations populating the program are undergoing a similar gradual awakening.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
13
 
 
SEASON FINALE: After a very rough emotional season, Masters and Johnson finally seem to have found romantic and sexual happiness – and found it, after several seasons of miscommunication and false starts, with each other.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Nov
13
 
 
The three best comic political voices, in this tumultuous political season, have been Bill Maher and Samantha Bee, both of whom have chimed in post-election already with excellent debriefing specials, and John Oliver, who adds his perspective tonight. Don’t miss it. Do record it.