Television

AKA Michael Harris on the Bob Newhart Show. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his character's developing love life. Scolari also juggles, a talent which will soon be featured on sitcom.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the updated version of the 1960s spy show. He says it's a fun watch, especially seeing the updated technology, but he can't help but notice a few careless gaffes in the script.

Curtin is an alumnus of Saturday Night Live, and now stars in the sitcom Kate & Allie. She joins Fresh Air to talk about the direction of her new show and some of her favorite SNL sketches. Curtin also reflects on how actresses and women writers on SNL always had to fight for airtime.

Critic-at-large Laurie Stone says that, while movies tend to be male-dominated, television has had the power to give more substantial roles to women. She reviews three new sitcoms about women at home and in the workplace.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews several shows from the upcoming television season.

Roseanne was created by the same producers who pitched The Cosby Show to networks. The new sitcom is also helmed by a standup comedian. But instead of an upper class black family, Roseanne Barr's show features a working class white family. TV critic David Bianculli says Barr's jokes hit home, bolstered by costar John Goodman, who plays Roseanne's husband.

Korder's play, about a television journalist, is being adapted into a TV movie for HBO. He talks about his frustration with the static nature of television writing, and what it takes to craft great dialogue.

Television critic David Bianculli reflects on the importance of the long-running news magazine, which celebrates two decades on the air. He says the show masterfully balances political and pop culture coverage, and embraces a compelling, more freewheeling style of reporting.

TV critic David Bianculli is burnt out on the Olympics' packed, frantic broadcast schedule. Now that the games are over, he tries to squeeze in reviews of two new sitcoms. Dear John is about a divorcé; Empty Nest is a Golden Girls spinoff.

TV critic David Bianculli compares the recent Bush/Dukakis presidential debate to a boxing match, filled with verbal jabs. He considers the efficacy of their attacks -- one-liners, put-downs, and pre-written ad-libs -- in highlighting their policy differences.