At TCA: Trevor Noah Keeps His Cool
For a guy about to step into the shoes of a beloved comic and influential political commentator, Trevor Noah is a pretty cool customer. It was on view the times…
How Ellie Kemper Got to ‘Today’
In the first panel of the TV Critics Association summer press tour, for the Netflix comedy “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” I got to ask Ellie Kemper about her summer stint…
TCA Begins and Netflix Takes Over
The first full day of the TV Critics Association’s summer press tour in Beverly Hills Tuesday dedicated was dedicated to a network that isn’t in the set at all. Netflix…
The Panorama of Jane Krakowski
Made the mistake of asking Jane Krakowski about her specialization as self-absorbed and often self-deluded women, for several years as Jenna Maroni on “30 Rock” and then, in another Tina…
Mailbag: Ellie, FIOS and ‘Galveston’
A friend writes: NBC was on at the convenience store this morning. How long has Ellie Kemper been a Today show regular and is it at this point (please PLEASE)…
Other Things I’ve Written Lately
Here are some links to some other pieces I’ve written lately: Recalling a local legendary DJ who steered the Soul Train tracks to Annapolis gets some attention in the Smithsonian’s…
Friday TV: New ‘Messengers,’ ‘Barber’
Seems to be a lot of religion informing new network series. On "The Messengers" (The CW, 9 p.m.) for example, something weird crashes in New Mexico whose shock wave change…
The Tattoo Was the Signifier
In the Oscars aftermath, a friend writes: Still hoping to find a web or press contributor someplace that touches more on the monumental weirdness of the Gaga / 'Sound of…
Triumph’s Tart Return
It's not unusual for comedians to come out and blast the writers at the TV Critics Association press tour. Frankly, we deserve it. But Robert Smigel's long-running, cigar-chomping creation Triumph…
Thursday TV: Rainn’s New ‘Backstrom’
It isn't easy to create a character like "House," who has a prickly personality but still manages to save the day. The latest attempt is the detective "Backstrom" (Fox, 9…