Television

Poet Richard Hell. He moved to New York City in the 70s, intending to concentrate on poetry. But he was drawn to the emerging punk rock scene and quickly became one of its best known acts with his band Richard Hell and the Voidoids. He later landed roles in the films "Smithereens" and "Desperately Seeking Susan." He is writing poetry again, editing the new poetry journal Cuz, and running the poetry programs at the St. Marks Poetry Project.

Television Critic David Bianculli reviews "Jack Paar is Alive and Well," NBC's look back at the first host of "The Tonight Show."

Television Critic David Bianculli discusses the progress of the new shows and the history of how television's top programs fared in their first year.

Television Critic David Bianculli previews "The Morton Downey Jr. Show," a new talk show that's the equivalent of shock radio. Downey's guests range from representatives of Planned Parenthood to the Ku Klux Klan. But it's the frenzy of audience, and Downey's abuse of both guests and audience, that makes the show unique.

Stephen Davis, whose new book Say Kids! What Time is it? recounts the history of the "Howdy Doody Show," TV's first hit kid's show. The book looks at the early days of television in New York, and the cast that made up Doodyville - Buffalo Bob, Princess Summerfall Winterspring, Clarabell and Chief Thunderthud.

Television Critic David Bianculli previews "Poor Little Rich Girl," the NBC miniseries based on the life of heiress Barbara Hutton, who squandered a vast fortune and died nearly penniless. Farah Fawcett stars.

Critic-at-Large Laurie Stone discusses the new ABC television series "thirtysomething."

Television Critic David Bianculli previews three upcoming miniseries - "Mayflower Madam," "Napoleon and Josephine" and "Hoover vs. The Kennedys: The Second Civil War" - and discusses how docudramas have evolved in the past few years.

Television Critic David Bianculli previews the new spinoff from "Hill Street Blues." It's titled "Beverly Hills Buntz" and it stars Dennis Frantz, who played the tough-talking, gum-chewing Det. Norman Buntz in "Hill Street Blues."

Sir David Attenborough, host and producer of the new PBS series "The First Eden," which looks at the natural history of the Mediterranean. This follows his award-winning series for PBS "Planet Earth."