FALL FINALE: I hate the network TV term, and NBC pervasive promo phrase, “Fall Finale.” What it really means is, “The show is going dormant for the holidays, so go watch something else for a month or two.” But I guess that takes longer to say. Yet even though today is the so-called Fall Finale for This Is Us, I recommend it anyway – because a lot is supposed to happen in this episode, on several fronts – and in multiple time lines. Including, in both cases, Vi

2018

Nov

ELF By David Bianculli

From now until Christmas, AMC is selecting a Christmas-themed movie and checking it twice – or allowing you to, by showing and repeating it as an evening double feature. The first film to receive that treatment, tonight at both 7 and 9 p.m. ET, is a good one: 2003’s Elf, starring Will Ferrell as a human boy raised on the North Pole, surrounded by Santa and his elves, who eventually makes his way to New York. The supporting cast is inspired, and includes Ed Asner, Bob Newhart, James C

2018

Nov

THE VOICE By David Bianculli

The contestant field has been pared to the Top 11 – and this evening, on live TV, the paring continues, as remaining finalists (included Lynnea Moorer, pictured from last week’s show), once again, sing for their survival. And this time, the songs are suggested by fans.

2018

Nov

THE TRUTH ABOUT KILLER ROBOTS By David Bianculli

The good news is this: While this new documentary makes a strong case for the increasing pervasiveness and potential dangers of robots and robotics (thanks for the early warning signs, Isaac Asimov), the robotic female “hosts” presenting some of the information are not fully convincing as human beings. Not yet, anyway. But apparently, they’re getting closer all the time…

2018

Nov

WHEN GOOD TV GOES BAD: HOW #ENDATELEVISIONSHOW ONE-UPPED JUMP THE SHARK By Alex Strachan

When did the phrase “Jump the Shark” jump the shark?...

2018

Nov

THE FRIGHTENING SIDE OF A.I. ON 'THE TRUTH ABOUT KILLER ROBOTS' ON HBO By David Hinckley

A show about Killer Robots could be one of two things: a 1950s horror film or a 2018 horror documentary...

2018

Nov

THE SIMPSONS By David Bianculli

Attention must be paid: Tonight in this all-new Season 30 episode of The Simpsons, Homer becomes a TV critic. Which begs the question: Considering how much time Homer spends on the couch watching the tube anyway, what in the world took them so long? And now that he’s a TV critic, and lashing out against Krusty the Clown, how will that upset the delicate Springfield universe? All I know is, if Homer doesn’t find Krusty amusing, then Homer isn’t any better a TV critic than he is

2018

Nov

DOCTOR WHO By David Bianculli

In this new episode, Doctor Who (now played by Jodie Whittaker) and her companions go back in time to the 17th century, and gets involved in the witch trials. Which witch trials? Good question, though an awkward one. In this instance, the good Doctor isn’t traveling to Salem in our country, but to Lancashire back in the U.K. – which allows Alan Cumming to guest star as a very foppish King James I.

2018

Nov

ENEMIES: THE PRESIDENT, JUSTICE & THE FBI By David Bianculli

Part 1 of Enemies, a nonfiction series exploring the relationship through history of the various branches and offices of government, largely focused on Watergate. Tonight’s Part 2 examines a more recent scandal, Iran-Contra, in which President Ronald Reagan wanted to free U.S. hostages held in Lebanon, and fund the anti-Communist Contra movement there. “Arms for hostages?” Reagan and the government insisted there was no “Arms for hostages” deal in play, but the real

2018

Nov

THE WALKING DEAD By David Bianculli

MIDSEASON FINALE: Tonight’s episode, after which The Walking Dead will go into hibernation for a while, is called “Evolution.” It could refer to the way the survivors are handling the next phase of their post-apocalyptic existence – but I’ve got a feeling it’s more aimed at the walkers themselves, who are discovered acting in ways they never did before. And if that’s not scary, I don’t know what is…

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