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On Television NPR features regular reviews and coverage of television offerings by Andrew Wallenstein of "Day to Day" and David Bianculli of "Fresh Air."
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On Television

'Mad Men' Returns, With A British Invasion

Fresh Air

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

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New Clocks, New Challenges As '24' Returns

Fresh Air

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

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'Dexter' Returns, And The Suspense Is Murderous

Fresh Air

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

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'True Blood,' Tasty New TV From Alan Ball And HBO

Fresh Air

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

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Reporter Helen Thomas Gets An HBO 'Thank You'

Fresh Air

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'

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'Generation Kill' Takes TV To The War Zone

Fresh Air

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

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At 'Hopkins,' a String of Real-Life ER Dramas

Fresh Air

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

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Sliced, Diced 'Dexter' Moves from Cable to CBS

Fresh Air

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

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The Writers' Strike Ends...Now What?

Fresh Air

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?

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Believe It or Not, 'Lost' Returns for a New Season

Fresh Air

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

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Gabriel Byrne, 'In Treatment' Nightly on HBO

Fresh Air

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

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Teacher Feature: 'Breaking Bad' on AMC

Fresh Air

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

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The Best Television Programs of 2007

Fresh Air

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

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Revealing Slices of 'Quarterlife'

Fresh Air

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'

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'Aliens' and 'Daisies' Touch Ground This Fall

Fresh Air

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

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