Television

Voice artist and animation historian Keith Scott has written the new book “The Moose That Roared: The Story of Jay Ward, Bill Scott, a Flying Squirrel, and a Talking Moose” (St. Martin’s Press) The book is about the creator (Jay Ward) and writer (Bill Scott) of the popular Rocky & Bullwinkle TV cartoon show of the late 1950s, early 60s. The new film “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” is based on the characters and stars Robert Deniro, Rene Russo, and Jason Alexander. Scott also is the voice of Bullwinkle in the film.

Creator and executive producer of the HBO hit series “The Sopranos,” David Chase. The show has just completed its second season and experienced the death of one of its cast members, Nancy Marchand.

We remember actress Nancy Marchand who died Sunday at the age of 71. Most recently she was best-known for playing the bitter mother of Tony Soprano in the HBO series “The Sopranos.” During the 1970s she played the newspaper publisher on the “Lou Grant” show. (interview with TV critic David Bianculli rebroadcast from 3/18/99)

TV critic David Bianculli comments on popular British TV imports, past and present.

From the American Movie Classics cable channel, Vice President for scheduling, Pat Davis. And from The Turner Classic Movie channel, Vice President of programming, Charlie Tabesh. They’ll discuss their work scheduling and acquiring classic films to be shown on cable TV.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews “Survivor” the new summer series on CBS, in which 16 contestants are marooned on a tropical island for more than a month. The winner takes home a million dollars.

Actress Amy Sedaris. She’s the star of the comedy series “Strangers With Candy” that airs Monday and Saturday nights on Comedy Central. Sedaris plays Jerri Blank, a 47-year old ex-con, ex-prostitute lesbian high school freshman. She’s the sister of David Sedaris, a humor writer who has been on Fresh Air several times. Amy and David have produced and written several plays together, including the 1996 Obie award winning “One Woman Shoe.”

TV critic David Bianculli comments on the season finales of several television shows.

Fresh Air TV Critic David Bianculli talks with Joss Whedon (Joss is pronounced like “Floss,” Whedon is WE-den). He’s the creator of the movie and TV series “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” He is executive producer of “Buffy” and co-executive producer of the Buffy Spin-off “Angel.” Whedon also writes for both shows. Before working on Buffy, Whedon wrote for the TV series “Roseanne.” He also writes screenplays. He has worked on the scripts for such films as Alien Resurrection, Twister, Toy Story, Speed, and this summer’s X-Men. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW.)

TV critic David Bianculli reviews “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?.” This week celebrities are the contestants.