Television

Television critic David Bianculli reviews The Flash, a live action show based on the D.C. comic strip, and Evening Shade, about a high school football coach played by Burt Reynolds. Bianculli also expresses his disappointment that Twin Peaks got snubbed at the latest Emmy Awards.

Filmmaker and writer Adrian Cowell spent much of the 1980s filming all the stakeholders affected by the deforestation of the Amazon -- including homesteaders, indigenous people, and government-supported ranchers. He's made a series of television documentaries and a new book about the experience, both called the Decade of Destruction.

Critic David Bianculli says that networks are releasing more new programs than ever before. He reviews four upcoming sitcoms; only one -- The Fresh Prince of Bel Air -- really works.

Greg Ford and Hal Willner produced of a new album of live, orchestral performances of the composer's music, which helped defined the the classic Warner Bros. cartoons.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews American Chronicles, a new documentary series produced by Mark Frost and David Lynch--the same team responsible for Twin Peaks. The show will focus on the history of notable places and people, and retains some of the weirdness of co-creators' supernatural drama.

Badalamenti composed the music for David Lynch's Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, and Wild at Heart. Before writing film scores, he had a workaday musician's life, arranging and playing piano in bands.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews Christian Blackwood's new documentary for the POV program on PBS. Bianculli says its unusual cast of characters makes him reconsider his nostalgia for overnight stays during family road trips.

In anticipation of the new season, networks have been trying to one-up with each other with pilots of new shows. TV critic David Bianculli says NBC's Parenthood is the best of the bunch, while Hull High can't compete.

Dispensing with the points-of-view of the usual power brokers like police and politicians, the new made-for-TV movie focuses on a young, black reporter. Television critic David Bianculli says the quiet parts are as effective as the moments of upheaval.

A new made-for-TV movie about the late actress's life and television career, called Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, is as awful as any tele-movie, says critic Maureen Corrigan. Since Ball's death last year, networks have been trying to recapture the magic of Lucy's sitcom -- an impossible task since, according Corrigan. the original show was nearly perfect.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews Hiroshima, a fictional retelling of real events surrounding the bombing of Hiroshima. Despite some excellent performances, he says that no story can match the grim reality of the city's devastation.

Curtis's parents are Hollywood actors Jane Lee and Tony Curtis. In contrast to her own childhood, she keeps her own daughter out of the public eye. Curtis joins Fresh Air to talk about her roles in horror, comedy, and TV.

Television critic David Bianculli reports back from the annual TV critics' gathering to talk about what networks have planned. He says that Fox is dominating, and the other channels are producing more and edgier shows to compete.

Television critic David Bianculli considers the strengths and weaknesses of the major networks in 1990: CBC, NBC, ABC, and Fox. Criteria include the quality of existing shows and the number of recently added programs

While network TV takes a break until the fall, cable channels premiere fresh programming for subscribers. Critic David Bianculli reviews Fear, a made-for-TV movie on Showtime, starring Ally Sheedy as a psychic who investigates serial killers.

Davidson's act earned him a spot on the sketch comedy show In Living Color, starring the Wayans brothers. He grew up in Washington, DC and began performing at a topless club. Davidson's comedy special will soon air on the Showtime network.

Commentator Leslie Savan says that American corporations have a vested interest in breaking into Soviet Bloc markets -- and they're spreading their capitalist message through TV ads.

The first episode of the PBS documentary series' new season, about playwright Preston Sturges, has TV critic David Bianculli excited for forthcoming profiles of other cultural figures. He says the program isn't just engaging -- it inspires him to further explore the work of each American master.

Actor, writer, and Monthy Python member John Cleese and therapist Robin Skynner. The pair have co-written a new book, "Families and How To Survive Them."

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the season premiere of "POV," public television's series of independent documentaries.