Television

Journalist Leslie Savan writes about television advertising. Her new book, "The Sponsored Life," reveals "how commercial values infiltrate our beliefs and desires, how we become more and more sponsored."

Braugher plays Detective Frank Pembleton on the hit NBC series. He was educated at Julliard and is an experienced Shakespearean actor. His other acting credits include the film, "Glory" and the TNT special, "The Court Martial of Jackie Robinson."

Turturro is a regular in the TV-series, "NYPD Blue," as the young detective James Martinez. He's now starring in the new film, "Federal Hill." He also had parts in Spike Lee's films (along with his brother, John) "Do the Right Thing," "Mo' Better Blues," and "Jungle Fever."

Tonight, PBS debuts the documentary series, "America's War on Poverty: Untold Stories from the Front Line." The five-part series examines President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty, which he declared during his State of the Union Address in January 1964. It included programs like Head Start, and Job Corps. Terry will talk with Executive Producer Henry Hampton and journalist and consultant Nicholas Lemann.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new series, "Star Trek: Voyager," which offers a new take on the franchise with its first woman captain.

Zwick directed the movies "Glory" and "Legends of the Fall," the TV series "thirtysomething," and the new highly-acclaimed, but under-watched "My So-Called Life.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews tonight's debut of Warner Bros' WB Television Network.

Veteran writing and production teams premiere two new shows this week: "Double Rush," about messengers in New York; and "Women of the House," a lukewarm political satire.

Most people would call Ullman an actor and comedian. She was the star of "The Tracey Ullman Show," where she played characters including "girls half her age and matrons twice her age; ...

Critic David Bianculli talks about former "Tomorrow" host Tom Snyder's move from CNBC to a late show on CBS.

Jeff Moss was one of the original creators and writers of "Sesame Street." He created Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch, and wrote such songs as "Rubber Ducky" and "People in Your Neighborhood." He has won 13 Emmy's, four Grammy's, and an Oscar nomination for his work on "Sesame Street" and with the Muppets. Moss is also the author of four books for children, the newest of which is "Hieronymus White: A Bird Who Believed That He Always Was Right."

Burns is the director of the hit PBS documentaries "The Civil War" and "Baseball." The former was the network's highest rated series. Burns' other documentaries include "The Brooklyn Bridge," "The Statue of Liberty," and "Empire of the Air," about the early history of radio. This interview was recorded in front of an audience at the Flynn Theater on October 27, in a benefit for Vermont Public Radio.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews "Jim Henson's Animal Show with Stinky and Jake," on PBS. It's filled with both fun and facts.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "Scarlett," CBS's eight-hour mini-series that starts this Sunday. He says it's better than what most other critics are saying.

Before starting her comedy career, Butler survived an abusive marriage. She is now the star of the sitcom "Grace Under Fire," one of the top rated shows of the season. Her character is a single mother with three kids, and, like Butler, is divorced from an abusive husband.

Actor David Caruso left "NYPD Blue" to pursue a film career. The show's co-creator, David Milch, will talk about writing out Caruso, who played one of the main characters. Milch was also co-creator of "Hill Street Blues," with "NYPD Blue" collaborator Steven Bochco.

TV dramas are becoming wildly popular again. Critic David Bianculli says two stand out from the rest: "Homicide: Life on the Streets" and "Picket Fences."

Benben is co-starring in the new movie, "Radioland Murders," as a radio scriptwriter trying to save his marriage. He also stars in "Dream On," the HBO comedy series. "The New York Times" has called his "Dream On" character "an adult Charlie Brown," with "offbeat charm."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the season premiere of "NYPD Blue," which he says continues to be good. On the other hand, he can't stomach "Roseanne: An Unauthorized Biography."

Paymer received an Oscar nomination for his role in "Mr. Saturday Night." He's now starring in the new movie "Quiz Show" as Dan Enright, the villain producer who rigs the show "Twenty-One."