J.J. Abrams Says ‘Alcatraz’ A Different Island Than ‘Lost’
J.J. Abrams’ new series has an island, a time-traveling intrigue and Jorge Garcia. But the new “Alcatraz,” his new show starting next week about prisoners from that fabled prison who…
Kiefer Sutherland a ‘Touch’ Away from ’24’
Kiefer Sutherland wasn’t keen to return to TV after eight seasons and 200 episodes of the iconic series “24.” Then someone handed him a script while he was on Broadway…
Monday TV: BCS Bowl, CBS Morning Retool
The college football season, and the parade of bowl games, finally culminates in the BCS Championship Game (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.) in New Orleans, with No.1 LSU vs. No.2 Alabama. The…
‘Watch What Happens Live’ Goes Five Nights a Week
When it came time to expand the late night Bravo talk show “Watch What Happens Live,” the first thing host Andy Cohen had done was expanding the liquor options. “We…
Coping with Failure at NBC
In his short time as NBC enertainment chief, Robert Greenblatt has gotten used to the pattern of its network’s executive sessions : They start with confessions, admitting failure and apology.…
On Tonight: Going Back ‘Downton’
Here’s the show you’ve been waiting for: “Downton Abbey,” the elegant but frothy series at about an English manor house (that seems more of a castle) from the early 20th…
Also On Tonight: New Stab at ‘The Firm,’ ‘House of Lies’
The characters of John Grisham’s decade old book (and blockbuster movie) return in a new series of the same name, “The Firm” (NBC, 9 p.m.), a production that features some…
Saturday TV: Another Debate, Parody to Follow
And now there are six. With a slightly narrowed field, now all male, here comes yet another GOP debate, whose full title is “ABC News’ Your Voice, Your Vote: Republican…
Tommy Ardolino (1955-2012): NRBQ Drummer, Musicologist, Pussycat
Sad to hear of the passing Friday of Tom Ardolino, the gentle soul and longstanding drummer of one of America’s great rock bands, NRBQ. He would have been 55 this…
Friday TV: All Hail ‘Portlandia’
“Portlandia” (IFC, 10 p.m.) is such a funny show you wonder if Fred Armisen is being held back on “Saturday Night Live.” More like he feels inspired to riff with…