‘Watch What Happens Live’ Goes Five Nights a Week
When it came time to expand the late night Bravo talk show “Watch What Happens Live,” the first thing host Andy Cohen had done was expanding the liquor options. “We…
Coping with Failure at NBC
In his short time as NBC enertainment chief, Robert Greenblatt has gotten used to the pattern of its network’s executive sessions : They start with confessions, admitting failure and apology.…
On Tonight: Going Back ‘Downton’
Here’s the show you’ve been waiting for: “Downton Abbey,” the elegant but frothy series at about an English manor house (that seems more of a castle) from the early 20th…
Also On Tonight: New Stab at ‘The Firm,’ ‘House of Lies’
The characters of John Grisham’s decade old book (and blockbuster movie) return in a new series of the same name, “The Firm” (NBC, 9 p.m.), a production that features some…
Saturday TV: Another Debate, Parody to Follow
And now there are six. With a slightly narrowed field, now all male, here comes yet another GOP debate, whose full title is “ABC News’ Your Voice, Your Vote: Republican…
Tommy Ardolino (1955-2012): NRBQ Drummer, Musicologist, Pussycat
Sad to hear of the passing Friday of Tom Ardolino, the gentle soul and longstanding drummer of one of America’s great rock bands, NRBQ. He would have been 55 this…
Friday TV: All Hail ‘Portlandia’
“Portlandia” (IFC, 10 p.m.) is such a funny show you wonder if Fred Armisen is being held back on “Saturday Night Live.” More like he feels inspired to riff with…
The B-52’s at 35: Rockin’ Over to PBS
It's fitting that the B-52’s, the Athens, Ga., party band marking its 35th anniversary this year, the group came out of a Flaming Volcano. It was a drink. “We went…
Thursday TV: “Project Runway All Stars,’ ‘Stuffers’
There will be a lot of familiar faces in the first “Project Runway All Stars” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) from Mondo Guerra and Austin Scarlett to Elisa Jiminez, Kara Janes and…
The Panapoly of PBS at TCA
The PBS sessions are a high point of the TV Critics Association because the panels, like the programming, offers such a wide variety. Kids programming, “Downton Abbey,” a big array…