Television

Comedian Chris Rock. Rock's a cast member on Saturday Night Live. He also played the junkie in the movie "New Jack City."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "Backtrack." It's a thriller movie starring Jodie Foster and Dennis Hopper (who also directed the movie). The film was made back in 1989, and intended for theatrical release, but it's been sitting on the shelf for the past two years. It premieres this Saturday on the Showtime cable network.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews two of the many specials commemorating the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tonight's two hour special on ABC, "Pearl Harbor: Two Hours That Changed the World," and Saturday's special on CBS, called "Remember Pearl Harbor."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "Memories of MASH," a 90-minute special that looks back at the popular TV series. It airs tonight on CBS.

Legendary television producer Norman Lear. His shows include All in the Family, Maude, the Jeffersons, and Good Times. Lear returns to the small screen next year with the show The Powers that Be. Lear is also the founder of People for the American Way, a citizens' group dedicated to stemming the influence of the Religious Right. The group is currently fighting the "gag" rule preventing doctors from discussing abortion in federally funded facilities. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "Civil Wars" a new weekly series on ABC about the battle of the sexes.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews last night's premiere of Michael Jackson's new music video, "Black Or White." He also discusses how Jackson has changed the world of music videos.

Comic actresses Kathy Najimy ("nah-JEE-me") and Mo Gaffney. Their two-woman satirical revue, "The Kathy & Mo Show," has been an Off-Broadway hit since 1985. It's debuts on HBO this Saturday.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The Carol Burnett Show," which premiered last Friday on CBS.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews a four-hour miniseries starting this weekend on NBC starring country singer Kenny Rodgers in his role as "The Gambler."

Filmmaker Garry Marshall. Marshall produced and directed the new movie "Frankie & Johnny." He also directed last year's hit movie "Pretty Woman," and he has a long distinguished career in TV, with shows like "Happy Days," "Laverne & Shirley," "Mork and Mindy," and "The Odd Couple" to his credit.

Actor John Leguizamo (pronounced "Leh-gwee-zamo"). Leguizamo created and stars in the hit one-man show "Mambo Mouth," based on his experiences as a Latino growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens. "Mambo Mouth" premieres on television this Saturday, on HBO's Comedy Hour.

Comedian Bill Cosby. Cosby talks about his TV show, his early years doing stand-up comedy, and his new book, "Childhood." It recounts some of his favorite stories of his youth. (It's published by Putnam).

Television critic David Bianculli comments on the counter-programing in place to compete with the 1991 World Series. ABC will present a miniseries of "Dynasty," and NBC dredges up, "I Still Dream of Jeannie."

Television critic David Bianculli checks out two programs, NBC's six-hour mini-series about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, titled "A Woman Named Jackie;" and a Showtime documentary called "Hearts of Darkness," about the making of the movie "Apocalypse Now."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews two new historical shows, one on PBS and the other on ABC. One is a documentary series, "Columbus and the Age of Discovery," and the other a docudrama about the Gulf War, "Heroes of Persian Gulf."

Comedian Nora Dunn. Dunn was a cast member of Saturday Night Live for 6 years, and portrayed such roles as the vapid talk show host Pat Stevens, the lounge singing Sweeney Sisters, and French sex kitten Babette. She was also at the center of controversy when she refused to appear on SNL when Andrew Dice Clay was the guest host. Dunn has written a new book, in the personas of her characters, called "Nobody's Rib." (It's published by Harper Perennial).

Television critic David Bianculli reviews two new programs this season: "Good & Evil," by the creator of "Soap," and "Golden Girls," and "Brooklyn Bridge" by the creator of "Family Ties."

Television critic David Bianculli takes a first look at the new fall TV season.

Actor David Carradine. He's still known as the star of the 70s TV series, "Kung Fu." Carradine's written a new book about his personal journey through the martial arts, called "Spirit of Shaolin." (It's published by Tuttle).