Television

TV critic David Bianculli considers network TV's new trend of premiering new shows up to a month earlier than they used to. That, combined with the constant schedule changes, is contributing to a changing television landscape.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new ABC police-themed show, "Arresting Behavior," which pokes fun at so-called reality shows.

TV critic Bianculli reviews the new HBO show, as satirical comedy that feeds off the current talk show frenzy.

TV critic David Bianculli previews public television's "P.O.V." episode called "Dream Deceivers," an analysis of a Nevada court case in which the heavy metal band Judas Priest was sued by the parents of two teenagers who shot themselves after listening to the band's music.

TV critic David Bianculli takes a look at the proliferation of coverage of the Democratic National Convention and the election more broadly.

Both writers have been with the show since it went on the air. They're part of the "Harvard Mafia," comedy writers from Harvard who have influenced the comedy business from "Saturday Night Live" to "The Muppet Show."

TV critic David Bianculli talks about Nick at Nite, the Nickelodeon Cable Network's broadcasts of old TV shows.

Actor Miguel Ferrer. He played the caustic FBI pathologist Albert in "Twin Peaks." And was a bad executive in the film "Robocop." For a short while he had his own TV show, "Broken Badges," which followed his work on "Twin Peaks." Now he's starring in David Lynch's new sitcom, "On the Air." Ferrer is the son of singer Rosemary Clooney, and actor Jose Ferrer.

T-V critic David Bianculli reviews "Home Fires," the new show from the creators of "St. Elsewhere." Three different episodes are airing tonight, Thursday and Saturday on NBC, a stunt the network is using to get viewers to sample a new show.

Actor Jason Alexander. He's best known as George Constanza on the NBC series "Seinfeld", where he plays Jerry Seinfeld's best friend. Alexander won a Tony Award in 1989 for his performance in "Jerome Robbin's Broadway."

TV critic David Bianculli previews the latest collaboration between David Lynch and Mark Frost, "On the Air." It premieres on ABC this Saturday night.

Joan Micklin Silver directed the upcoming HBO special "A Private Matter." It's the story of Sherri Chessen Finkbine, host of the children's T-V show Romper Room, and her decision to have an illegal abortion in 1962. Publicity about her choice led to intense public condemnation. In the HBO special, "Miss Sherri" is played by Sissy Spacek, and her husband is played by Aidan Quinn. Among Silver's other directing credits are several films, including "Crossing Delancey," and several HBO specials.

Filmmaker Marlon Riggs. His film about gay black men,"Tongues Untied," was shown on PBS last year, and it unleashed a storm of outrage in powerful right-wing circles. Sen. Jesse Helms (R, NC) even put together and distributed a seven-minute tape of scenes from the film, which, taken out of context, completely distorted Marlon Riggs' intentions. The documentary is often used by Congresspeople as an example of what's wrong with public broadcasting, and why it shouldn't be federally funded.

Creators and Executive Producers, David Crane and Marta Kauffman for the HBO comedy series, "Dream On." The show's main character is a divorced father who often doesn't do the right thing. The voice of his conscious is played out -- using clips from old TV shows which are edited into the show. "Dream On," won the CableACE Award for Best Comedy Series in 1991. Crane and Kauffman have been writing together for over ten years.

TV Critic David Bianculli previews "Street Scenes: New York on Film," a new hour-long documentary on the AMC cable network.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews Jay Leno's "Tonight Show," now in its second week.

TV critic David Bianculli previews Julie, a new summer sitcom starring Julie Andrews, directed by her husband Blake Edwards.

Tonight show band saxophonist Tommy Newsom talks with Terry about the end of his longest running gig (30 years with The Tonight Show).

Terry talks with TV critic David Bianculli about the end of a TV era -- the end of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.

Actor John Cullum. He plays Holling Vincoeur on the TV show "Northern Exposure." Holling is a 63-year-old bartender in a relationship with an 18-year-old beauty queen. Cullum is best known for his broadway roles in "Camelot," "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," and others. Cullum talked with Terry before a live audience in Seattle.