Quincy Jones, at age 85, is celebrated by BET for an amazing span of work as a composer and producer. Oprah Winfrey hosts, and Jones’ daughter, actress Rashida Jones (pictured), is by his side. But because this special is produced by Grammy executive producer Ken Ehrlich, the musical performances, taped in September from Los Angeles, are A-list and first-rate. Performers include John Legend and Stevie Wonder, Dave Chapelle, Usher, Gladys Knight, Will Smith, and more.

2018

Dec

DOCTOR WHO By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: Not counting the usual Christmas telemovie special, this is the last we’ll see of the first female Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, for a while. So enjoy…

2018

Dec

COUNTERPART By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: I’m not sure where, much left how, we last left J.K. Simmons in this moody dual-universe thriller. In the cliffhanger last season, Simmons’ Howard Silk had killed Stephen Rea’s Alexander Pope – an act that has consequences in both worlds, and for both Silk and his doppelgänger. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower.

2018

Dec

ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA By David Bianculli

Paul Dano and Benicio Del Toro are the stars of this fact-based miniseries, playing the convicts who escape from prison – but Patricia Arquette, as the prison employee who aids their escape and is subsequently questioned about her involvement, is the one who gets away with grand theft here. She steals this show…

2018

Dec

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER By David Bianculli

For the second time this season, Rudolph helps Santa make his appointed rounds, in this 1964 TV special that, in a few weeks, will be 55 years old. And his nose is still shiny.

2018

Dec

READY PLAYER ONE By David Bianculli

This 2018 Steven Spielberg film throws gifted video game players into an alternate world where anything can happen – and where many things encountered are references to other pockets of pop culture. None of which is more inventive, or memorable, than Spielberg’s sly salute to fellow director Stanley Kubrick.

2018

Dec

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN By David Bianculli

For the second time this season, Frosty tries to melt your heart, among other things, in this 1969 holiday special. In a few weeks, this special will be 50 years old, which just goes to prove: there's no business like snow business.

2018

Dec

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE By David Bianculli

Tonight’s new episode features guest host Jason Momoa, and musical guest Mumford & Sons.

2018

Dec

ANOTHER MOVING BOUNTY FROM 'HARVEST OF SHAME' By TVWW Guest Contributor

[Editor's note: Edward R. Murrow's 1960 CBS documentary, Harvest of Shame, is a staple of my TV History & Appreciation class at Rowan University. This term, it spurred an inspirational reaction from two of my students, in a blog posted here on TVWW. Amazingly, the same class has generated another unexpected bounty: a reaction from Edgar Aquino-Huerta, who lives an amazing double life: farm worker by day, media student by night. His very personal account follows. -DB]

2018

Dec

MAKING MONEY ONLINE WITH 'THE AMERICAN MEME' By David Hinckley

The American Meme – which debuts Friday on Netflix – is essential for anyone who wants the full, if not always pretty, picture of contemporary cultural media...

Posts 101-110 of 136

10 11 12 13 14

New From TVWW

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy

Dispatches From TVWW

'Extinction: The Facts' is a Sobering Call to Action

How 'Mayans' Has Been Influenced by the Show's Creator Elgin James

For Whom the Bell Tolls: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick Take on Ernest Hemingway, the Man and the Myth

In the Final Season, Sutton Foster's Liza is Now the Genuine Version of Her 'Younger' Self

Season 2 of 'City on a Hill' Returns with Kevin Bacon, Aldis Hodge, and Boston Corruption