Wednesday TV: Building the Duomo
Architects still wonder how Filippo Brunelleschi did it, building the world's large masonry dome for Florence's famous Basilica de Santa Maria del Fiore in the Renaissance. The Duomo, as it…
Remembering Shirley Temple, 1928-2014
It was just a few days ago that I saw, on rail of some internet site fraught with clickbait, the familiar picture in pincurls, young Shirley Temple, accompanying a headline…
Tuesday TV: The Real Butch and Sundance
Without mentioning Paul Newman, Robert Redford or raindrops falling on your head, the actual story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid could be even more fascinating. As laid out…
The Beatles’ First U.S. Show Was 50 Years Ago Tonight in D.C.
In the teeth of the Olympics and "The Walking Dead," the two hour special marking the 50th anniversary of The Beatles U.S. television debut Sunday drew 14 million viewers, showing…
A Bad Birthday on ‘The Bachelor’
Even with weekly roses and on a week ending with Valentine's Day, "The Bachelor" is still one of the least romantic shows on TV. No matter what exotic location the…
Monday TV: Modern Monkey Trial, Mississippi Spies, Michelle Talks
The British filmmaker Anthony Thomas takes a look at the scientifically established but continually attacked tenets of evolution. The film features several confident Biblically-backed believers in what's called creationism. But…
Paul and Ringo Get Back
For all its hype and pitfalls, "The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles" on Sunday had its moments -- the ones connected to the band itself.…
Mary’s in the Mud on ‘Downton Abbey’
An assortment of comings of goings marked Sunday's "Downton Abbey." First of all, Lord Grantham was summoned to help his brother-in-law out of an unspecified jam in America; Bates didn't want…
Sunday TV: Critics in Front of the Camera
I write all the time about the TV Critics Association press tours, but it's never made its way to the screen until tonight's episode of "Episodes" (Showtime, 10:30 p.m.), in…
When The Beatles Made Their Bow on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 50 Years Ago Tonight
It's one of those indelible grade school memories: Winter, Sunday night and a family TV tradition, "The Ed Sullivan Show." The silvery curtains rise, and out he comes, looking more…