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
Dec
9
 
 
SERIES PREMIERE: This is a new Netflix series from the makers and stars of Mythbusters, the Discovery Channel hit that exploded popular myths and misconceptions – and, along the way, exploded lots of other things, too. Tory Belleci, Grant Imahara and Kari Byron star in this new series, which contains many familiar elements of the original Discovery Channel program.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
9
 
 
This 1972 Woody Allen movie, based on the bestselling book, has seven extended segments in it, most of them very funny. And one, this time, also is especially poignant: Watch and wait for Gene Wilder, as a man who falls in love with a sheep, and begins a slow descent into the gutter. Literally. Drinking Woolite. It’s a fabulous performance, mostly because Wilder plays it as seriously as he can, under the circumstances. I think it's a brilliant comedy sketch. But do ewe?
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
9
 
 
Tonight, Rebecca sizes up the new competition – a.k.a., Josh’s potential new girl friend – who’s played by Brittany Snow of Pitch Perfect.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
9
 
 
This special presents Madonna’s latest concert tour – more than 30 years after she first rattled and ruled MTV with her provocative costumes, lyrics and dance moves. Time marches on. Sometimes, though probably not in this case, with help from a walker…
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
8
 
 

A superb CBS production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, presumed lost following its 1966 premiere, returns to TV tonight on TCM. Here’s the behind-the-scenes story, from those who found, restored, and scheduled the special, and from its surviving star, Hal Holbrook…

 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
8
 
 
News flash! Reality TV is not actually real. We know this, of course. Prying beneath the surface, though — taking a hard look at how the sausage is actually made — can be both fun and edifying...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
8
 
 
If you’ve heard the name Picasso all your life and always felt like you should know a little more about him, Ovation TV has the ticket...
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
8
 
 
This 2014 holiday special may be the Toy Story franchise cash-in that fans forgot, but it’s really a worthy addition to the Pixar playhouse. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back, lending their voices and comedic skills to their respective roles of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, in a story that includes a post-Christmas letdown, a little paranoia, and a lot of small-scale adventure.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
8
 
 
Taraji P. Henson of Empire hosts this second annual musical variety special celebrating the holiday season. Henson may be the only Christmas Cookie on the bill – but expect appearances, also, from her Empire costars, and from Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, Tyler Perry, Terry Crews, TLC and others.
 
 
 
  
 
 
2016
Dec
8
 
 
Exactly 50 years to the day since it premiered on CBS, this 1966 production of The Glass Menagerie, newly restored, brings the Tennessee Williams play, starring Shirley Booth and Hal Holbrook, back to television, courtesy of TCM. For a review, and a story interviewing Holbrook and those behind this excellent restoration, see Bianculli’s Blog.