Sunday TV: ‘Blackout’ a Disaster All Right
Beware a TV movie not given a description of fiction or documentary; whose style is pegged as "Blair Witch Project." That usually means: amateurish actors, no production values, shot with…
Norton Utility Needed on Flat ‘SNL’
If "Saturday Night Live" hopes to mine this week's episode for some material to use in a prime time Halloween compilation special Thursday, good luck to them. The Edward Norton-hosted…
‘Homeland’s Whiplash Twist
For a show that hid its main mystery for a season, "Homeland" is good at hiding its hand. Sunday's episode turned on a conclusive twist so deliciously unexpected, it set…
Terrific and Succinct ‘Toy Story’ Special
Pixar has had a history of not quite knowing how good the movies it makes. "Toy Story 2" for example was originally made for the home video market until someone…
Battered Brody Back on ‘Homeland’
To remedy the fact that the first two episodes of "Homeland" this seasoned no sign of Nicholas Brody, arguably the show's co-star, the third was practically all him. He appears…
Bruce Willis, Back to ‘SNL’ After 24 Years
After a couple of episodes of its new season that desperately went after younger audience, "Saturday Night Live" reached back for a host nearing 60 in Bruce Willis this week.…
Hospitalization and ‘Homeland’
In the continued absence of Brody, "Homeland" remains a drama about women. Of the three strong-willed women in Sunday's episode, one was taken in cuffs to a hospital, another broke…
Miley: Moving Beyond It on ‘SNL’
The cold open of "Saturday Night Live" had creatures in the bleak future of 2045 recalling back at what caused the downfall of America. Was it the government shutdown? Obamacare?…
Tina, Jesse Among Rookies on ‘SNL’ Start
Tina Fey seemed to be hosting the crucial 39th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" as a way to lend experience and substance to a cast that's mostly green. Six…
Merchant, Gervais Plot Separate Comedy Courses with ‘Derek,’ ‘Hello Ladies’
Watching separate new comedies from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant this month is like trying to adjust to solo projects from Laurel and Hardy. How could they exist on their…