Television

Television critic David Bianculli reviews two shows that wouldn't have been possible on network TV. Steven Banks: Home Entertainment Center succeeds in part because it unfolds uninterrupted, without commercial breaks; cable gives the macabre and funny Tales from the Crypt license to be as violent as it needs to be.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews a three-tape release of The Milton Berle Show, a classic variety program known for featuring prominent jazz musicians, among others. Tucker says that some of the humor doesn't hold up, but it's easy to see why Berle was successful.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the revamped satirical news show, which swaps prerecorded footage for live interviews and coverage. He says it's a smart move for the seven-year-old program.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the series finale of the glossy crime show. He says the ending was as contrived as the past few seasons -- big on action, short on character development.

Family Ties and Moonlighting both ended recently. TV critic David Bianculli says their final episodes highlight the programs' strengths and weaknesses.

Hoblit's new made-for-TV movie dramatizes the groundbreaking Supreme Court case. The film has faced criticism from anti-abortion activists -- even though several have admitted to never having seen it. Hoblit is best known for producing television programs like Hill Street Blues, which broke conventions by relying heavily on hand-held cameras and degraded film, and pushing the boundaries of what kind of material was appropriate for broadcast.

O'Neil worked at NBC and CBS before starting his own independent network. He joins Fresh Air to discuss how football teams and networks have coordinated before games, the pros and cons of instant replays, and his new book, The Game Behind the Game.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new made-for-TV movie about a murder investigation on a space colony. It's enjoyable enough -- but even with a scantily clad star and improbable plot, it's no Barbarella.

Anderson was a street performer and con artist before he was cast in the first season of Cheers. That part eventually led to his role in the show Night Court. Anderson has a new book called Games You Can't Lose: A Guide for Suckers.

Television critic DAVID BIANCULLI reviews "Cops," a new Fox Network show. Filmed on location in Broward County, Florida, the episodes follow real cops as they orchestrate drug stings, investigate car crashes and try to resolve domestic disputes.

Winfield won an Academy Award for his role in Sounders, and is a featured actor in the television show Wiseguy. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his career to date, and his involvement with black arts and civil rights movements.

The new half-hour comedy Nick and Hillary is a reworking of the hour-long barroom drama Tattinger's. TV critic David Bianculli is a fan, though he admits the show's groan-worthy jokes are polarizing.

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, once on NBC, has found new life on the Lifetime network. TV critic David Bianculli says the performance of star Blair Brown is reason enough to tune in.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the network's latest pilots, including a ghastly sitcom, a thirtysomething ripoff, and a magical hour from the Muppet's creator.

The Soap actor stars in a new sitcom, about a divorced man and his children. TV critic David Bianculli says that, unlike Guillaume's career and talents, the show has a long way to go.

Sautter says that, in order to break into the industry, aspiring television writers need to craft better material than what they see on air. His new book explains the mechanics and unspoken rules of scriptwriting.

Scholar Kathryn Montgomery says that deregulation in the late 1980s has led to the rise of different advocacy groups who seek to influence television programming, often by targeting advertisers. Her new book, Target: Prime Time, explains how both minority and religious groups have mobilized in recent years.

HBO will soon air the animated show Babar, about an elephant and his family. TV critic David Bianculli says the program joins the ranks of other recent, excellent children's programming like Shining Time Station and the Peter Pan musical. More importantly, his kids love it too.

The 1960 broadcast of the musical, starring Mary Martin in the titular role, returns to television. TV critic David Bianculli says, watching it again, he clapped right along with his two young children.

Film critic David Bianculli says the drama China Beach and a special episode of Nightline deal with the lives of Vietnam veterans in respectful and powerful ways; both are worth watching.