It will make many readers of this column feel quite old when I refer to Murphy Brown, one of the most “contemporary” comedies in television history, as a “classic.” I remember enthusiastically writing about this show whenever I was able...

2014

Dec

PETER PAN LIVE! By David Bianculli

LIVE: Gather the family, make some snacks, tune the TV to NBC, and straight on till morning: These are the directions to experience Peter Pan, live on television, the way it was last experienced live, when I saw it as wide-eyed child in 1960. I did grow up – but I’m still excited by Peter Pan anyway. This new production stars Allison Williams and Christopher Walken. For a full preview, see Bianculli’s Blog, or go straight to my report on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross.

2014

Dec

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL By David Bianculli

Two of “America’s Teams,” the Cowboys and Da Bears, do battle on a Thursday night game that ought to be very highly rated, even on the NFL Network. It’s Dallas vs. Chicago, with the Bears enjoying a frigid home advantage.

2014

Dec

GRACEPOINT By David Bianculli

This is the penultimate episode of this Americianized remake of Broadchurch, and one of the episodes where it veers significantly from its original inspiration. One thing to worry about, at this juncture: Will its mystery conclude next week, with the season finale? Or will Gracepoint try to pull a Killing and stretch out its story over two seasons? Because that sure ended well…

2014

Dec

MEET JOHN DOE By David Bianculli

Frank Capra directed this 1941 classic, about a man (Gary Cooper) whose personal philosophy sounds positively Buddhist: to protest certain conditions, he threatens to commit suicide publicly. Except this “John Doe” didn’t exist, until Cooper’s character was persuaded to embody him – and a media storm erupts around him. Also erupting around him: Barbara Stanwyck, at her most beautiful. And cynical.

2014

Dec

THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART By David Bianculli

Tonight’s interview segment may as well be an episode of Directors’ Showcase. The host is Jon Stewart, director of Rosewater. His guest is Angelina Jolie, director of Unbroken. Remember when neither of them was a hyphenate?

2014

Dec

2009: TVWW'S DAVID BIANCULLI GUESTS ON 'LATE LATE SHOW' By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 2009, TV Worth Watching founder David Bianculli came out of his legendary basement bunker to discuss his book Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on CBS' The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson...

2014

Dec

1995: ABC OFFERS THE MUSICAL 'BYE, BYE BIRDIE' By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1995, ABC presented a telefilm version of the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie...

2014

Dec

DEAR DIARY: TOMORROW 'PETER PAN' IS ON - AGAIN! By David Bianculli

On Thursday, Dec. 4, NBC presents Peter Pan Live!, a live musical telecast. I reviewed it the last time NBC performed it live – in 1960…

2014

Dec

CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER By David Bianculli

This used to be a local TV special for New York only, until it went national years ago – and now, it’s an official part of the network television holiday season. Here it is, once again, with the massive tree being lit for the first time this year.

Posts 151-160 of 175

14 15 16 17 18

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