Television

Ted Demme died Sunday at the age of 38 from a heart attack. He was playing basketball when he died. Early in his career he produced Yo! MTV Raps. He won an Emmy in 1999 for co-producing the civil-rights TV movie, A Lesson Before Dying. Demme film credits include Who the Man, The Ref, Snitch, and Blow. Ted Demme was the nephew of film maker Jonathan Demme.

TV critic David Bianculli considers the new TV season — on cable, mostly.

Actor Patrick Warburton is best known for his recurring role on Seinfeld as Elaine laconic boyfriend, Puddy. Though he only appeared in nine episodes, he became one of the show favorite characters. Warburton currently stars in the new FOX show The Tick. He could also be heard as the voice of Joe on Fox animated series The Family Guy and has been in commercials for American Express, Cadillac and M&M's. He starred in the movie The Woman Chaser which was critically acclaimed at the New York Film Festival and The Sundance Film Festival, and he was in the Australian film, The Dish.

Classical Music Critic Lloyd Schwartz previews the Great Performances special The Art of Violin, airing on PBS stations tonight. The program is also available on DVD. For more information, visit The Art of Violin Web site.

Comedian Bernie Mac has traced his own path to the top, staying in Chicago and other spots — anywhere but Los Angeles. Now he's the star of The Bernie Mac Show, a sitcom on Fox. As his book I Ain't Scared of You is released, we talk with Mac about his days honing his craft, his ideas about what makes a star — and who's better, Sinatra or Williams.

Writer/producer Judd Apatow. His new series for FOX is called Undeclared. He's billed as the creator/executive producer. It's about a group of geeky college freshmen. Apatow also worked on the Emmy award winners Freaks and Geeks and The Ben Stiller Show. He was a writer for The Larry Sanders Show. He began as a stand-up comic and he wrote jokes for Roseanne, Jim Carrey and Garry Shandling.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new Fox series 24.

TV critic David Bianculli on the 50th anniversary of the I Love Lucy show.

Actress Edie Falco plays Carmella Soprano, wife of Tony Soprano on the HBO drama The Sopranos. She too has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding lead Actress in a Drama Series. The role turned her from a relative unknown to a TV star. She had roles on Law & Order and Homicide: Life on the Street. She starred in the independent films Judy Berlin, Trust and Laws of Gravity.

Actress Jane Kaczmarek. She been nominated for an Emmy (for outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) for her role on FOX Malcolm in the Middle. She plays the harried mother of four boys. Kaczmarek was a series regular on Equal Justice, Paper Chase: The Second Year, and has had recurring roles on Frasier, The Practice, and Cybill. Her film roles include Pleasantville, Uncommon Valor, and The Chamber.

TV critic David Bianculli previews the new TV season.

TV critic David Bianculli reflects on televisions coverage of the attacks and the aftermath, and the transition to the new TV season next week.

TV Critic David Bianculli reviews HBOs Band of Brothers.

Actor Dominic Chianese plays Uncle Junior on the hit HBO series The Sopranos. He been nominated for an Emmy. He had roles in TV shows such as Kojak, Law and Order, and films including Dog Day Afternoon, and The Godfather Part II. At the age of 70, he is now launching a singing career. His new album is called Hits (Madacy Entertainment Group). He brings his guitar to the studio.

TV critic David Bianculli on the 20th anniversary of MTV. The 24-hour cable music channel turns 20 tomorrow, and celebrates with an all-day retrospective, and a prime-time concert.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the return of the reality show Big Brother and considers other new reality shows.

Animation director J.J. Sedelmaier is the animator of the TV Funhouse skits which run on Saturday Night Live. They include The Ambiguously Gay Duo, Fun with Real Audio, and The X-Presidents. Sedelmaier and his animation company work on many other projects for TV and commercials. They have worked for MTV and Nickelodeon. He also has his own Cartoon Network series, Capt. Linger.

John Lithgow is one of the stars of the animated hit movie, Shrek. His comedy TV series Third Rock From the Sun just finished its run on NBC. Lithgow also writes children's books. He's just published the book Marsupial Sue (Simon and Schuster), and he has released a new CD of music for children called Farkle and Friends (Watershed Records). Lithgow is currently performing his children's material live in concert.

Alan Ball is the creator of the new HBO series Six Feet Under. Ball won an Academy Award for writing the screenplay for American Beauty. He also has production credits on the TV shows Cybill and Oh Grow Up. Ball has served as producer, writer and director on Six Feet Under. Ball is a return guest on the show. His first visit was in December of 1999.