C.J.’s Revenge on ‘The Veep’
It'd be tempting to refer to Sunday's episode of "The Veep" as the one where Allison Janney returns to the West Wing. But the vice president's residence isn't in the White…
Menace Surfaces on ‘The Killing’
Compared to the beautifully photographed, rain-soaked blues and greys of greater Seattle that give “The Killing” its brooding texture, what remains of the sickly pink biohazard bags of 17 decomposing…
Government Shutdown for ‘Veep’
Inaction has consequence in Washington, so when Selena Meyers couldn’t come to a budget agreement, there is a resulting government shutdown on this week’s “Veep.” That means garbage doesn’t get picked…
PBS Pokes Fun at Reality
Like professional wrestling and Tea Party politics, it's impossible to parody reality TV. There's just nothing that can be thought in jest that hasn't already been done in earnest by…
The Rare Disaster Telethon from Rural U.S.
When there's a disaster on the coasts, almost one of the first thing organized is the celebrity-spattered TV benefit show. It's almost a reflexive action: How else can creative respond…
Shocking Elimination on ‘The Voice’
From the beginning of the season, Judith Hill was poised to win "The Voice." She already had a superstar pedigree, having been Michael Jackson's duet partner as he prepared for his…
Seeking Magic, Not Magicians on ‘Bachelorette’
Elbowing the usual "Bachelor Pad" out of its summer slot, like a rollerskater on Venice Beach with cutoffs, is a new edition of "The Bachelorette." It's as if Desiree Hartsock couldn't…
Liberace’s Darkness ‘Behind the Candelabra’
The gaudy, surprising bio-pic "Behind the Candelabra" (HBO, 9 p.m.) is worth watching for a number of reasons. There's the audacious but sort of perfect casting of Michael Douglas as…
A Reality Show That Has to Go
I thought the new Fox reality show "Does Someone Have to Go?" was about kids about to embark on a long road trip. No such luck. It's about downsizing, internal friction…
Derek Hough Wins Again on ‘Dancing’
She only finished sixth on "American Idol," but Kellie Pickler since built a country music career and on Tuesday, completed another one in dance. Kellie Pickler came from behind to…