Television

We feature a panel discussion about the cable-tv series "The Sopranos" recorded recently in L.A. at a Writers' Guild Foundation conference. The participants include show writers David Chase, Frank Renzulli, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess.The Sopranos is an HBO Original Series depicting the life and times of a modern-day Mafia family living in New Jersey. The series is created by David Chase ("I'll Fly Away"), who also serves as executive producer. It has been nominated for 16 Emmy awards this year including "Outstanding Drama Series."

Executive producer and writer, Tom Fontana of HBO's, "Oz," the realistic drama about life in an experimental unit of a maximum security prison. Fontana also created "Homicide: Life on the Street" and the 1980s drama set in a city hospital, "St. Elsewhere."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new PBS documentary "Uncommon Visionary" about the 20th century Polish-Jewish harpsicord prodigy Wanda Landowska (VAN-da lan-DOV-ska).

TV critic David Bianculli on the re-runs of "The Sopranos" which began tonight.

TV critic David Bianculli comments on tonight's series finale of NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Streets."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews several upcoming May sweep television movies. "Double Platinum," "Joan of Arc," and "Atomic Train."

Comedienne Joy Behar. She can be seen regularly on the ABC women's talk show, "The View." She also appears as a neurotic patient on "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist for Comedy Central." She has a new book, "Joy Shtick: or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does it Come with Attachments?" (Hyperion)

TV critic David Bianculli reviews this weekend's premiere of Michael Moore's new series "The Awful Truth" on the Bravo channel. Moore is best known for his film "Roger and Me."

Former writer and producer for "Seinfeld," Peter Mehlman. Thanks to him, the terms "shrinkage" and "Yada-Yada" as used on "Seinfeld" became a part of popular culture. Now Mehlman has created the new sitcom "It's Like, You Know" about a transplanted New Yorker in L.A., and the clash of East and West culture

TV critic David Bianculli on the season finale of "The Sopranos" the series on HBO about the mob.

TV critic David Bianculli previews this Sunday night's debut of Matt Groening's "Futurama." Groening is the creator of "The Simpsons."

Fresh Air film critic John Powers gives us his thoughts on the Oscar awards and the Oscar ceremony.

Actress Nancy Marchand talks with TV critic David BIianculli. She's best known for her reoccurring roll as Mrs. Pynchon on the TV series "Lou Grant." Recently she had a role in HBO's series "The Sopranos." Marchand's film credits include "Jefferson in Paris," "The Naked Gun," and "The Bostonians."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews tonight's debut of the CBS sitcom "Payne". It was inspired by the British hit "Fawlty Towers."

TV critic David Bianculli previews "Alice in Wonderland" on NBC this Sunday.

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."

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