Issa Rae’s Sure-Footed ‘Insecure’
Two of HBO’s best new shows came up through lowly web series. There, an artist with complete control, unfettered by network notes can form a singular creative vision. As it…
A Fresh Face on British Import, ‘Fleabag’
Of all the terrific comedies this fall (almost exclusively streaming or on cable) just one stars a face that is likely to be absolutely new to audiences. “Fleabag” (Amazon Prime,…
Don’t Miss Tig Notaro’s ‘One Mississippi’
Cancer, stomach ailments and a mother’s death may not seem like the basis of comedy but Tig Notaro has been mining exquisite deadpan humor from her own circumstances the past…
Pamela Adlon’s Great New ‘Better Things’
For the second time in three days (after Tuesday’s premiere of “Atlanta”), FX premieres another new comedy that will further change the game on TV. There have been any number…
Television at the 930 Club
Because they gained attention in places like CBGB’s in the mid-1970s and had as an original member Richard Hell, Television often got lumped with the punk bands, probably unfairly. Forming…
Donald Glover Turns a Corner with ‘Atlanta’
Comedy has led the charge for creativity in TV the last couple of years, and it will advance even farther this far starting with tonight’s premiere of “Atlanta” (FX, 10…
Rick Perry, Lochte on ‘Dancing with Stars’
“Dancing with the Stars” is increasingly the rehabilitation camp for personalities we’d rather see fade away. The 23rd season of the show will include former governor and presidential candidate Rick…
Larry Wilmore No More
Black Voices Matter, in late night political comedy as in serious news commentary, documentary reporting and history. Larry Wilmore, in his nearly year long stint as hosting "The Nightly Show”…
Inside A Rainy ‘A Capitol Fourth’
An invitation to the “Capitol Fourth” concert on the National Mall seemed interesting. Smokey Robinson was headlining, a bigger draw for me than, say Barry Manilow or Frankie Valli, who…
Schwimmer’s Dark New ‘Feed the Beast’
David Schwimmer has already proved he is a bit more versatile than playing a sad sack on “Friends.” His portrayal of Robert Kardashian was one of the many delights of…