The Emmys, Where Cable Reigns Supreme Fresh Air September 21, 2009 TV critic David Bianculli reviews last night's Emmy awards — and considers the future of broadcast television in light of what the results revealed. The Emmys, Where Cable Reigns Supreme Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/113027451/113030281" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The Emmys, Where Cable Reigns Supreme Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/113027451/113030281" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Mad Men' Returns, With A British Invasion Fresh Air August 14, 2009 When last we saw the ad men and women of AMC's Mad Men, the firm had just been bought by a British company and the Cuban missile crisis was underway. Critic David Bianculli offers a sneak peak at what additional drama the new season might hold. 'Mad Men' Returns, With A British Invasion Listen · 6:12 6:12 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/111859412/111887234" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Mad Men' Returns, With A British Invasion Listen · 6:12 6:12 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/111859412/111887234" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
New Clocks, New Challenges As '24' Returns Fresh Air January 9, 2009 The seventh season of 24 premieres this Sunday. Critic David Bianculli assesses the four-hour, two-night return of counterterrorist Jack Bauer — who's got some new allies, and some new enemies. New Clocks, New Challenges As '24' Returns Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/99156369/99163967" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
New Clocks, New Challenges As '24' Returns Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/99156369/99163967" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Dexter' Returns, And The Suspense Is Murderous Fresh Air September 24, 2008 TV's most charming serial killer is back for a third season on Showtime. With new murders, new dangers and new characters, TV critic David Bianculli says the new season is a real thrill. 'Dexter' Returns, And The Suspense Is Murderous Listen · 5:22 5:22 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94981331/94979328" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Dexter' Returns, And The Suspense Is Murderous Listen · 5:22 5:22 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94981331/94979328" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'True Blood,' Tasty New TV From Alan Ball And HBO Fresh Air September 5, 2008 The new HBO series centers on a vampire clan living in a small Louisiana town. It's by Alan Ball, creator of the hit series Six Feet Under, and based on a series of novels by Charlaine Harris. Anna Paquin stars. 'True Blood,' Tasty New TV From Alan Ball And HBO Listen · 5:23 5:23 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94320825/94320906" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'True Blood,' Tasty New TV From Alan Ball And HBO Listen · 5:23 5:23 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/94320825/94320906" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Reporter Helen Thomas Gets An HBO 'Thank You' Fresh Air August 18, 2008 Documentarian Rory Kennedy, who's won acclaim and awards for her documentaries American Hollow and The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, turns her lens on legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas. David Bianculli has a review. Reporter Helen Thomas Gets An HBO 'Thank You' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93696714/93697101" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Reporter Helen Thomas Gets An HBO 'Thank You' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93696714/93697101" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Season Two Of A 'Mad Men' World Fresh Air July 25, 2008 TV critic David Bianculli reviews Mad Men, the drama about advertising execs during the Kennedy years. Season two of the Emmy-nominated series begins on Sunday night on AMC. Season Two Of A 'Mad Men' World Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92910588/92917216" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Season Two Of A 'Mad Men' World Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92910588/92917216" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Generation Kill' Takes TV To The War Zone Fresh Air July 11, 2008 Fresh Air's TV critic has a look at the new HBO miniseries, created by The Wire's David Simon and Ed Burns. Generation Kill focuses on a unit of Marines during the first 40 days of the Iraq war. 'Generation Kill' Takes TV To The War Zone Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92449797/92451132" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Generation Kill' Takes TV To The War Zone Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92449797/92451132" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
At 'Hopkins,' a String of Real-Life ER Dramas Fresh Air June 26, 2008 Hopkins, which premieres tonight, is the sequel to a 2000 ABC documentary series that told intimate, very real stories about medical staff and patients at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University. Fresh Air's TV critic has a review. At 'Hopkins,' a String of Real-Life ER Dramas Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91913310/91913335" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
At 'Hopkins,' a String of Real-Life ER Dramas Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91913310/91913335" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
On FX, March Means the Return of 'The Riches' Fresh Air March 18, 2008 Fresh Air TV critic David Bianculli previews season two of the FX series The Riches, staring Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard. On FX, March Means the Return of 'The Riches' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/88480194/88480192" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
On FX, March Means the Return of 'The Riches' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/88480194/88480192" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Sliced, Diced 'Dexter' Moves from Cable to CBS Fresh Air February 15, 2008 The Showtime series Dexter, which tells the story of a criminologist who moonlights as a serial killer, will air (edited for content) on CBS. Fresh Air's TV critic David Bianculli talks about Dexter's move from cable to network. Sliced, Diced 'Dexter' Moves from Cable to CBS Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/19078265/19079675" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Sliced, Diced 'Dexter' Moves from Cable to CBS Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/19078265/19079675" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Writers' Strike Ends...Now What? Fresh Air February 11, 2008 Fresh Air's TV critic David Bianculli discusses the long-term effects of the four-month-long writers' strike, and--more immediately--when we can expect new episodes of our favorite shows to return to the air. The Writers' Strike Ends...Now What? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18880013/18880584" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Writers' Strike Ends...Now What? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18880013/18880584" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Believe It or Not, 'Lost' Returns for a New Season Fresh Air January 31, 2008 New mysteries, new jeopardies and only eight episodes to explore them: The survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 are back, but the ongoing Hollywood writers strike means a shorter season than planned. Fresh Air's TV critic — and him you can trust — previews the season premiere of Lost, airing tonight on ABC. Believe It or Not, 'Lost' Returns for a New Season Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18571932/18571918" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Believe It or Not, 'Lost' Returns for a New Season Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18571932/18571918" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Gabriel Byrne, 'In Treatment' Nightly on HBO Fresh Air January 28, 2008 HBO, once home to The Sopranos, has some experience with conflicted psychoanalysts. The latest one on the lineup: Paul Weston, played by Gabriel Byrne. The central figure of In Treatment, a nightly half-hour serial adapted from an Israeli TV drama, Weston is a calm, collected counselor on the outside — and an emotional mess on the inside. Fresh Air's TV critic offers a diagnosis. Gabriel Byrne, 'In Treatment' Nightly on HBO Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18473531/18485332" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Gabriel Byrne, 'In Treatment' Nightly on HBO Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18473531/18485332" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Teacher Feature: 'Breaking Bad' on AMC Fresh Air January 18, 2008 Fresh Air's TV critic previews the new series Breaking Bad, about a cancer-stricken chemistry teacher who decides that cooking crystal meth is the best way to support his family after he's gone. The show premieres on the AMC cable channel on Jan. 20. Teacher Feature: 'Breaking Bad' on AMC Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18218520/18218512" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Teacher Feature: 'Breaking Bad' on AMC Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18218520/18218512" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'The Wire,' Down to One Last Season Fresh Air January 3, 2008 The fifth and final season of the acclaimed HBO drama The Wire has its season premiere Jan. 6. Fresh Air's TV critic has a preview. 'The Wire,' Down to One Last Season Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/17808625/17808621" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'The Wire,' Down to One Last Season Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/17808625/17808621" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Best Television Programs of 2007 Fresh Air December 24, 2007 David Bianculli, Fresh Air TV critic, shares his picks for the best television of 2007 and says he's looking forward to the 2008 seasons of ABC's Lost and HBO's The Wire. Bianculli is the author of Teleliteracy and Television's 500 Biggest Hits, Misses, and Events. The Best Television Programs of 2007 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/17576952/17576946" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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For TV Junkies, Some DVDs Worth Giving Fresh Air December 11, 2007 There's nothing like binge-watching a season or three of first-rate television. Herewith, holiday gift suggestions for the serious TV-watchers on your list. For TV Junkies, Some DVDs Worth Giving Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/17145626/17135965" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
For TV Junkies, Some DVDs Worth Giving Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/17145626/17135965" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Guilty Pleasures: 'Project Runway' on Bravo Fresh Air November 21, 2007 Fresh Air's critic at large tells us why he loves the high-fashion challenge, a reality-TV staple now in its fourth season on cable's Bravo channel. Guilty Pleasures: 'Project Runway' on Bravo Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16505746/16506021" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Guilty Pleasures: 'Project Runway' on Bravo Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16505746/16506021" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Revealing Slices of 'Quarterlife' Fresh Air November 13, 2007 Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, creators of Thirtysomething and executive producers of My So-Called Life, are making news again with a new series. It's called Quarterlife, and it's airing not on TV, but in short, six-to-an-hour episodes on the Web. Some pundits are touting it as an alternative for audiences during the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike. Critic David Bianculli, who's working on the Web himself now at TVWorthWatching.com, has a review. Revealing Slices of 'Quarterlife' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/16251058/16251050" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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'Aliens' and 'Daisies' Touch Ground This Fall Fresh Air October 1, 2007 Fresh Air's TV critic reviews the fall season. New shows include the sitcom Aliens in America, premiering Oct. 1 on the CW Network, and ABC's comedy drama Pushing Daisies, making its debut Wednesday, Oct. 3. 'Aliens' and 'Daisies' Touch Ground This Fall Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14858418/14858407" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Aliens' and 'Daisies' Touch Ground This Fall Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14858418/14858407" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Ken Burns, Documenting Another Iconic War Fresh Air September 21, 2007 Fresh Air's TV critic previews The War, the new documentary series about World War II from filmmaker Ken Burns (The Civil War). It premieres Sept. 23 on PBS. Ken Burns, Documenting Another Iconic War Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14591797/14591812" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Ken Burns, Documenting Another Iconic War Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14591797/14591812" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">