Television

PBS's newest show, POV, showcases a diverse selection of documentaries, many of which have been screened in theaters or broadcast on other networks. TV critic David Bianculli has this review.

Television critic David Bianculli previews the new season of the PBS series "Alive From Off Center."

Television Critic David Bianculli takes a look at the prevalence of tennis coverage on TV and suggests ways it might be improved.

Journalist Irvin Muchnick. His recent reporting has focused on recent developments in professional wrestling.

Television Critic David Bianculli reviews the CBS program "Try to Remember," a pilot for a new series hosted by Charles Kuralt. The program draws on archival footage and explores the events of one week, in this case August 10, 1969, the week of Hurricane Camille, Woodstock and a ticker tape parade for the Apollo 11 astronauts.

Standup comic Richard Lewis. In his act, Lewis portrays a spastic, tortured, self-deprecating man living a life of unrelieved pain. He says of his comedy that after he's finished his act "people throw prescription drugs and the names of their therapists instead of roses. I'm the wreck they can't be." Lewis has appeared roughly 35 times on the "Late Night with David Letterman" show. His new HBO comedy special, "Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted Concert," premieres on June 18th.

Television critic David Bianculli profiles "Wiseguy," the CBS crime series. The series' stars are Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova, an undercover organized-crime agent, and Ray Sharkey as Sonny Steelgrave, the impulsive and explosive head of a crime syndicate. The program is about to start its summer repeat run, a time when many shows that face stiff competition in the regular season find a new audience.

Television critic David Bianculli gives us his take on the use of laugh tracks.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews video releases of the best of Carol Burnett.

Television critic David Bianculli looks back at "The Prisoner," the British mystery and adventure series about government agents, brainwashing, Number 6, and the omniscient globe that prevented escape from the island prison. The series celebrates its 20th anniversary this week.