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Eric Deggans Eric Deggans is NPR's first full-time TV critic.
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Eric Deggans

A Bestselling Book Becomes An HBO Movie About A 'Dynamic Moment'

Ed Harris as John McCain and Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin in the HBO film Game Change. Phillip V. Caruso/HBO hide caption

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Phillip V. Caruso/HBO

Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

A Bestselling Book Becomes An HBO Movie About A 'Dynamic Moment'

Commentator Eric Deggans says the HBO film Game Change, based on a much-discussed book about the 2008 campaign, may inform the way we see the 2012 election.

A Bestselling Book Becomes An HBO Movie About A 'Dynamic Moment'

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For Asians And Latinos, Stereotypes Persist In Sitcoms

Han Lee (Matthew Moy), owner of the Brooklyn diner where Max (Kat Dennings, left) and Caroline (Beth Behrs, right) work, joins the two women as they count their earnings on 2 Broke Girls. Cliff Lipson/CBS hide caption

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Cliff Lipson/CBS

Opinion

Television

For Asians And Latinos, Stereotypes Persist In Sitcoms

Critic Eric Deggans says in modern TV comedies, there are fewer stereotyped roles for African-Americans — but two CBS shows suggest that's not the case for Asians and Latinos.

For Asians And Latinos, Stereotypes Persist In Sitcoms

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Bridesmaids No More: TV's Women Get All The Laughs

Zooey Deschanel plays Jess on Fox's New Girl. Fox uses the term "adorkable" to describe her. Isabella Vosmikova/Fox hide caption

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Isabella Vosmikova/Fox

Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Bridesmaids No More: TV's Women Get All The Laughs

Just a few years ago, some critics predicted reality TV shows would kill the sitcom altogether. Instead, the rise of the Funny Female proves network television's future likely comes with a smile — and a pair of snappy high heels.

Bridesmaids No More: TV's Women Get All The Laughs

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Television's New Antiheroes: Creating Sympathy For The Devilish

Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) owns slaves on AMC's Hell On Wheels. But the guys he's chasing are worse. Chris Large/AMC hide caption

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Chris Large/AMC

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Television's New Antiheroes: Creating Sympathy For The Devilish

Commentator Eric Deggans says television's current crop of antiheroes may reflect the reluctance of an audience in cynical times to accept a traditional straight-up hero.

Television's New Antiheroes: Creating Sympathy For The Devilish

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Disappointing 'Redneck' TV Shortchanges The American South

Skipper Bivens of Animal Planet's Hillbilly Handfishin'. David Yellen/Animal Planet hide caption

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David Yellen/Animal Planet

Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Disappointing 'Redneck' TV Shortchanges The American South

Commentator Eric Deggans looks at a depressing trend in television that presents the American South through a single, durable stereotype: the so-called "redneck."

Disappointing 'Redneck' TV Shortchanges The American South

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Networks Add New Twists To Old Formulas, But Few Are Succeeding

Russell Hornsby as Hank Griffin and David Giuntoli as Nick Burkhardt on NBC's Grimm. Scott Green/NBC hide caption

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Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Networks Add New Twists To Old Formulas, But Few Are Succeeding

Commentator Eric Deggans says the TV networks are spinning old genres in new ways, but they're mostly making themselves dizzy.

Networks Add New Twists To Old Formulas, But Few Are Succeeding

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'Rock Center': Serving Hard News, But Will It Sell?

Brian Williams will set the course for the new NBC newsmagazine Rock Center. The network is positioning it as a serious news program and expecting a ratings struggle, at least at first.

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Justin Stephens/NBC Universal

Opinion

Television

'Rock Center': Serving Hard News, But Will It Sell?

NBC is rolling out a fresh newsmagazine — the first brand new example prime time has seen in nearly 20 years. Anchor Brian Williams means for it to be a vehicle for serious journalism — but TV writer Eric Deggans says audiences may no longer have the appetite.

'Rock Center': Serving Hard News, But Will It Sell?

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Fall TV: Nostalgia For The Glamorous 1960s Needs A Tune-Up

Kelli Garner is one of the stars of ABC's nostalgic Pan Am. Bob D'Amico/ABC hide caption

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Bob D'Amico/ABC

Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Fall TV: Nostalgia For The Glamorous 1960s Needs A Tune-Up

Eric Deggans looks at two new shows celebrating the Mad Men era in two very different settings: in the Playboy Clubs, and in the air.

Fall TV: Nostalgia For The Glamorous 1960s Needs A Tune-Up

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ABC News Leads The Way In A Long Summer Of Women-In-Peril Stories

Jaycee Dugard talks to ABC's Diane Sawyer. Jill Belsley/ABC News hide caption

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Jill Belsley/ABC News

Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

ABC News Leads The Way In A Long Summer Of Women-In-Peril Stories

Critic Eric Deggans says it's been a busy summer for crime stories about women in peril, and ABC News has led the way, most recently with its blockbuster interview with Jaycee Dugard.

ABC News Leads The Way In A Long Summer Of Women-In-Peril Stories

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A Day Of One's OWN: One Man Watches Oprah's Network

Oprah Winfrey, chairman of the Oprah Winfrey Network, speaks to reporters during the Discovery Communications Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011. Chris Pizzello/Associated Press hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Pop Culture Happy Hour

A Day Of One's OWN: One Man Watches Oprah's Network

Critic Eric Deggans sat down to watch one day of Oprah Winfrey's self-branded cable channel. While he didn't feel quite at home, Deggans says he can imagine how the channel might make itself a success.

A Day Of One's OWN: One Man Watches Oprah's Network

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It's Emmy Season, And The Nominees Should Be...

Aziz Ansari stars as Tom Haverford on NBC's Parks And Recreation. Chris Haston/NBC hide caption

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

It's Emmy Season, And The Nominees Should Be...

Critic Eric Deggans looks ahead to the Emmy Awards and has a few suggestions for voters about who deserves to be nominated. His choices span cable and broadcast, fantasy and police dramas, and one very clueless government employee.

It's Emmy Season, And The Nominees Should Be...

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Summer Television: A Time Of 'Men,' Werewolves And Aliens

Andre Braugher, LisaGay Hamilton, Ray Romano and Scott Bakula star on TNT's Men Of A Certain Age. Danny Feld/TNT hide caption

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Danny Feld/TNT

Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Summer Television: A Time Of 'Men,' Werewolves And Aliens

Critic Eric Deggans looks at summer television, including the return of a well-regarded ensemble show on TNT, the arrival of a couple of sci-fi series, and more.

Summer Television: A Time Of 'Men,' Werewolves And Aliens

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How NBC's 'The Voice' Is The Anti-'American Idol'

Justin Grennen looks on as Carson Daly signals a recent victory for Beverly McClellen on NBC's The Voice. Lewis Jacobs/NBC hide caption

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Lewis Jacobs/NBC

Opinion

Pop Culture Happy Hour

How NBC's 'The Voice' Is The Anti-'American Idol'

You may think all singing competition shows are the same, but as critic Eric Deggans sees it, NBC's new entry, The Voice, is a counterpoint to exactly the things people complain about with American Idol.

How NBC's 'The Voice' Is The Anti-'American Idol'

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Michael Scott: So Long, Loser (We'll Really Miss You)

Steve Carell's Michael Scott is saying goodbye to Dunder Mifflin — and the employees he's managed (and mortified) over the years. Trae Patton/NBC Universal hide caption

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Trae Patton/NBC Universal

Opinion

Michael Scott: So Long, Loser (We'll Really Miss You)

Steve Carell's character shuffles awkwardly out the exit on NBC's The Office tonight. His long-suffering employees may not miss him, but critic Eric Deggans is really sad to see him go.

Michael Scott: So Long, Loser (We'll Really Miss You)

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