Television

It was recently revealed that Wise's character on Twin Peaks was the killer of Laura Palmer. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his role as Leland Palmer, whom he says he thought of as a good friend.

Television critic David Bianculli says the TV biopic about Frank Baum, the man who created "The Wizard of Oz," could have fallen flat with it's well-known, unsurprising story. But it succeeds with excellent performances and visual storytelling.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the new documentary about Greta Garbo. He says it fails to capture her allure. But he's willing to forgive the misstep --- TNT will also broadcast 11 of Garbo's classic films.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the TV game show special featuring celebrity guest stars answering easy and often poorly researched trivia questions. He says he hates this stuff.

Moyers worked as President Lyndon Johnson's press secretary, and has since become a mainstay of public television. He's best known for his popular miniseries featuring Joseph Campbell, called The Power of Myth.

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.