Television

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the new show about a group of misfit, psychologically impaired cops. He says it brings the police drama to new conceptual highs -- and lows.

We finally know who killed Laura Palmer. Or do we? Television critic David Bianculli has some thoughts on this week's episode of "Twin Peaks." He recommends sticking with the show over the new ABC mini-series, "It," based on the Stephen King novel.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the latest sequel to Hitchcock's thriller, made for the Showtime network. Anthony Perkins reprises his role as serial killer Norman Bates; this time, we get a glimpse of his childhood. Bianculli says it's surprisingly good, and leaves open the possibility for even more sequels.

Amiel's new film is Tune In Tomorrow, starring Peter Falk and Barbara Hershey. It's an adaptation of Mario Vargas Llosa's novel Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter. Amiel also directed Dennis Potter's groundbreaking TV production, The Singing Detective.

Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson are cast members in the Canadian sketch comedy show, The Kids In The Hall. It's is produced by Lorne Michaels, and often features gender-bending humor.

Television critic David Bianculli examines infomercials -- long commercials that disguise themselves as news or entertainment shows.

Television critic David Bianculli previews the CBS comedy-drama, about a local TV news station. He says the well-cast pilot has a purposeful feel reminiscent of Hill Street Blues.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the new three-hour profile of the rise and fall of Richard Nixon, presented on the American Experience show. The documentary comes on the heels of Ken Burns' Civil War series, and continues PBS' streak of excellent programming.

Winfield plays the judge in Presumed Innocent -- a part he says is a rare, substantial and mature role for an African American actor. He was nominated for an Emmy for his roles on television in Roots and as Martin Luther King, and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Sounder.

Steve O'Donnell, the head writer for Late Night with David Letterman, writes many of the program's top ten lists. A new book compiles the best of these, called, simply, The Late Night with David Letterman Book of Top Ten Lists.

Television Critic critic David Bianculli is thrilled that, after months of reruns, the animated sitcom has returned with new episodes. He has this review.

The season premiere of the supernatural drama has come and gone without answering the question of who killed Laura Palmer. TV critic David Bianculli reviews what we know so far.

In 1955, Ford had a hit with his version of Merle Travis' "Sixteen Tons." Later, he was known for his gospel music and daytime and evening television shows. A new collection of his hits, "16 Tons of Boogie" is out on Rhino records.

The new Stephen Bochco-produced series is interesting, but TV critic David Bianculli says he need to see more episodes of the musical procedural before making his final judgement. The pilot's songs are composed by Randy Newman--who won't be involved in future episodes.

Ken Burns' 11-hour documentary took five years to make, and features period music, readings of soldiers' letters, and moving shots of battlefield sites. TV critic David Bianculli says it's a show to watch and treasure.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews The Flash, a live action show based on the D.C. comic strip, and Evening Shade, about a high school football coach played by Burt Reynolds. Bianculli also expresses his disappointment that Twin Peaks got snubbed at the latest Emmy Awards.

Filmmaker and writer Adrian Cowell spent much of the 1980s filming all the stakeholders affected by the deforestation of the Amazon -- including homesteaders, indigenous people, and government-supported ranchers. He's made a series of television documentaries and a new book about the experience, both called the Decade of Destruction.

Critic David Bianculli says that networks are releasing more new programs than ever before. He reviews four upcoming sitcoms; only one -- The Fresh Prince of Bel Air -- really works.

Greg Ford and Hal Willner produced of a new album of live, orchestral performances of the composer's music, which helped defined the the classic Warner Bros. cartoons.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews American Chronicles, a new documentary series produced by Mark Frost and David Lynch--the same team responsible for Twin Peaks. The show will focus on the history of notable places and people, and retains some of the weirdness of co-creators' supernatural drama.