Television

TV critic David BIianculli gives us his top-five favorite TV dramas. "Homicide: Life on the Streets," "NYPD Blue," "Ally McBeal," "The Practice," and "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"

TV critic David Bianculli takes a look at several television events and episodes this week ("E.R.," Steven King's "The Storm," and the Impeachment proceedings).

This Monday, 2/8/99, PBS will air the documentary "The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords." This is the first documentary to provide an in-depth examination of the history of African-American newspapers. We'll hear from the film's producer, Stanley Nelson and from Vernon Jarrett, a black journalist featured in the project.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new HBO series "Sopranos."

Reknowned naturalist and film maker Sir David Attenborough. His new book and (upcoming PBS special is "The Life of Birds" (Princeton University Press). He examines birds from rainforests to desert, to cities and isolated wildernesses, the flying and the flightless, the seed eaters and the meat-eaters. The series was broadcast on the BBC last fall and will be presented on PBS sometime this year. The book is currently available.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews last night's premiere of "60 Minutes II".

Aaron Sorkin is creator of the new ABC TV show, "Sports Night" a behind-the-scenes look at a cable sports newscast, like ESPN. It's been described as "a home run" and "the most consistently funny, intelligent, and emotional of any new-season series." Sorkin also wrote the films "An American President," and "A Few Good Men."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new PBS documentary "The Rodgers and Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty." It's part of the Great Performances series and is broadcast in most cities on January 6.

A few months ago, critic David Bianculli identified five shows to follow this season. Of them, he says "Sports Night" is the best.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which is being broadcast for it's 34th consecutive year. But David says 3 minutes have been cut from it over the years.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the final "NYPD Blue" episode featuring actor Jimmy Smits.

Hampton is best known for his PBS series "Eyes on the Prize" about the civil rights movement. He said his intention was to tell the story in a way in which blacks were not the "victims." HIs other highly acclaimed documentaries were "America's War on Poverty" and "The Great Depression." HAMPTON had struggled since 1990 with lung cancer. He was 58. (REBROADCAST from 2/1/90)

TV critic David Bianculli reviews "Rear Window," the television remake of the Hitchcock film. This one stars Christopher Reeve, and Daryl Hannah.

Mills writes for the television shows, "ER" and "NYPD Blue." This week's episode of ER is written by him. Mills is also the co-author of "George Clinton and P-Funk" (Avon Books). He's also reported for the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

Pierce plays "Niles Crane" on NBC's sitcom "Frasier." He has received two Emmy Awards for this role. Pierce has also appeared in the films: "Bright Lights, Big City," "Little Man Tate," "The Fisher King," "Crossing Delancy," "Sleepless in Seattle, and "Nixon." His voice also appears in the new movie "A Bug's Life." He currently lives in Los Angeles.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews a new documentary devoted to the making of a single episode of the cop show "Homicide.' Despite the unusual premise, he thinks PBS should make more programs like this.

TV critic David Bianculli comments on the news coverage of yesterday's Discovery launch.

TV critic David Bianculli previews the ABC telemovie "Columbo: Ashes to Ashes" starring Peter Falk. It airs tonight at 9:00.

Abbott talks about the new mini-series "Touching Evil." It premieres tomorrow night on PBS' Mystery show. Abbot's project is a five-part detective drama that takes place at a fictional London based crime unit that specializes in serial killers and organized crime. Abbott also wrote the dramas "Crackers" and "Reckless". Abbott lives in Manchester, England.

Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner talks about his new memoir "Work in Progress," which has been published by Random House. Eisner took over as head of Disney in 1984. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Jane. They have three sons. Disney is now a global entertainment giant. It owns ABC TV, A&E Television, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax Films, ESPN, Lifetime, and nine television stations, ten radio stations, seven daily newspapers, theme parks, housing developments and even a cruise ship.