Thursday TV: ‘Burn Notice’ Final Episode
Of the lighter, fun dramas that proliferate on cable, "Burn Notice" (USA, 9 p.m.) was one of the best, with a decent premise -- a CIA agent frozen out --…
Rather Peachy Start for ‘X Factor’ Season
It's been several weeks since there has been a major singing competition on broadcast TV. How have warbling dreamers coped? So here's The X Factor coming back for a third…
‘The Bridge’ Episode Itself is Bridge
"The Bridge" lived up to its name Wednesday with an hour that served only as a connector between episodes. We learned right away that Sonya had survived the ramming of…
Wednesday TV: Chief of Staff Recalls 9/11
You can make the case that the White House Chief of Staff is the second most powerful person in the country, James Baker, who had that title under Reagan. A…
At the ‘Crossfire’ Opening Night Party
"Crossfire," CNN's signature and much reviled back-and-forth political argument show, had the bad luck to be revived after a eight years lapse in a week when actual news was breaking…
Billie Jean King’s Victory Lap
As if to keep the enthusiasm for tennis up after the close of another U.S. Open, here's a timely "American Masters" (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) on one of…
To Hell With ‘Sons of Anarchy’
I vowed to stop watching "Sons of Anarchy" about the time one of the gang's daughters was burned alive by another ruthless gang leader. It was a scene that could…
Also on Tuesday: Snakehandlers, the Series
Apart from the Amish, reality shows like to shy away from religion, like the rest of television. But when Pentecostals preachers need snakes to handle, it suddenly becomes one of…
Arsenio’s First Show Back in Time Capsule, Too
Arsenio Hall's hope was to glide into 2013 as if he never left late night 19 years ago. But the first episode of "The Arsenio Hall Show" looks as if…
‘Bethenny,’ ‘View’ ‘Test’ Start Seasons
The new season for daytime TV doesn't wait until after the Emmys, as prime time does. It jumps right in after Labor Day. Once the kids are in school, boom,…