At 10 p.m. ET on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network, loose cannon Lindsay Lohan stars in her own reality series, called Lindsay. But before that, at 8 p.m. ET, she has to appear as the special guest on Oprah’s Next Chapter to get a lecture from, and provide a mea culpa to, Oprah herself. Consider it two sides of the same media-blitz coin: contrition at 8, exploitation at 10.

2014

Mar

COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY By David Bianculli

SERIES PREMIERE: Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson steps into the shoes, and the imaginary spaceship, of the late Carl Sagan, providing an update to that brilliant 1980-81 TV tour, and consideration, of life, the universe and everything. Fox is presenting the series on its prime-time broadcast network, and simulcasting it on every other Fox-owned network, so Cosmos is easy to find. I’m happy to report, it’s also easy to watch. For a full review, see Bianculli’s Blog.

2014

Mar

THE GOOD WIFE By David Bianculli

MIDSEASON RETURN: They’re baa-aaack. And while they’re all still bickering from their respective law firms and perspectives, there are times when they still have to work together. And tonight, in court, is one of those times.

2014

Mar

THE WALKING DEAD By David Bianculli

This series continues to split into intimate sub-factions: Last week’s episode isolated us with only two characters from the series, following them for an entire intense hour. Tonight, the focus shifts again – and, as it does so, intensifies our desire to have the old gang members find one another and reunite.

2014

Mar

TRUE DETECTIVE By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: I’m less concerned with the explanation of the Yellow King and linguine face than I am of learning how Martin and Rust (Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey) end up. But one thing’s for sure, in this final hour of the season, and the end of the Martin and Rust story arc: Since we last saw this show a week ago, McConaughey won an Oscar. Before the year’s out, for this series, he may also win an Emmy. Alright, alright, alright… But don’t count Harrelso

2014

Mar

'COSMOS' RETURNS WITH BEST POSSIBLE 2.0 HOST - AND APPROACH By David Bianculli

When Carl Sagan’s Cosmos burst onto the scene in 1980, it stunned everyone with the popularity of its very serious TV subject. Now it’s back, with the best possible 2.0 host for a new generation…

2014

Mar

THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL By David Bianculli

Horton Foote’s wonderful play was adapted in a Broadway revival starring Cicely Tyson and Vanessa Williams, and Tyson won a Tony for her role as the matriarch who wants to visit her family home one last time before she dies. Both Tyson and Williams reprise their roles here, and though the tone is slightly different for TV – more subdued, a bit less play-to-the-rafters comic – it’s a fine representation of both the play and the revival’s lead performances. Blair Unde

2014

Mar

MARTY By David Bianculli

In 1953, NBC’s Goodyear Television Playhouse presented Paddy Chayefsky’s stunningly intimate and moving portrait of a lonely Bronx butcher (Rod Steiger) who ends up dancing with a homely young woman (Nancy Marchand) at a local dance hall, and seeking to see her again despite ridicule from his barroom friends. Marty didn’t win any Emmys that year, because there were none in the live TV drama category yet. But two years later, when Hollywood hired Chayefsky to rewrite his screenp

2014

Mar

QUARTET By David Bianculli

Dustin Hoffman made his directorial debut with this 2012 movie, about retired opera stars at a rest home who plan to stage a benefit to cover the costs of staying there. You’d expect Hoffman, who’s such a superb actor, to cast similarly talented players to populate his story, and you’d be right. Maggie Smith is here, looking much younger and more vibrant than she does on Downton Abbey. Michael Gambon from The Singing Detective is here, too, and while I’m mentioning all-ti

2014

Mar

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: The last first-run Norton show of the season includes, as usual, some British celebrities who have barely made a dent on these shores (hey, look, it’s Ant and Dec!), but also some big stars, both present and future. Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad is featured on tonight’s show, as is Jamie Dornan, ultimately cast as the male lead in Fifty Shades of Grey. Oh, and Naomi Campbell, too, who has some appropriately binding tips for Dornan…

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