David Bianculli

As May draws to a close, fans of some of television's biggest shows -- American Idol, CSI, Desperate Housewives, among others -- are being treated to season-ending finales. At the same time, TV is testing the waters for its fall season.

David Bianculli, usually Fresh Air's small-screen critic, takes a look at the long-awaited big screen adaptation of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

The Office is a sitcom that debuts Thursday night on NBC. The show is based on the popular British series of the same name, and is also shot in the style of a documentary set in a paper supply company.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new season of The Shield. The critically acclaimed show is adding actress Glen Close to its cast of burly, often violent alpha males.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews recently released DVD compilations of TV series. He reviews the first seasons of Miami Vice from the 1980s, Murder One from the 90s, and Deadwood, which premiered last year.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews two high-action drama series that return to TV this week, Alias on NBC and 24 on FOX.

BBC America is airing a special two-hour version of The Office Thursday night. TV critic David Bianculli has a review.

Abrams is the executive producer and creator of the ABC series Lost about a group of survivors from an airplane crash marooned on an island. He also acts as the creator and executive producer of the series Alias. And he wrote the screenplays for the films Armageddon, Forever Young, and Regarding Henry.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new political mock documentary series, Tanner on Tanner. The four-part political satire was written by Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau and directed by Robert Altman. It airs Tuesdays in October on the Sundance Channel.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews Desperate Housewives, a new series that takes a dark look at suburbia.