By Rick Kushman -
Monday, December 1 2008 - 12:00 am
We've just hit the time when all TV goes a little holiday wacky, meaning many, many shows will take some kind of seasonal vacation. A few go on cruises but most just rest.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, November 17 2008 - 12:00 am
It's still November sweeps and every episode is supposed to be a really big deal, but for my money, all the best action happens on Sunday.
Thursday, November 13 2008 - 12:00 am
No, no, no, no, no. Not this soon, not already. I'm a holiday-spirit guy. I love the Christmas season, the trees, the lights, the shopping and eating like a crazy man. But it is too freakin' early for Christmas commercials.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, November 10 2008 - 12:00 am
The elections are over, we're done with the World Series, and TV is back to having a normal television week. As normal as it gets, anyway.
By Rick Kushman -
Wednesday, November 5 2008 - 12:00 am
Early on Tuesday night there was an odd disconnect while watching the election returns. This country was on the brink of history, a coming moment evident for days and heavy with emotion for big parts of America.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, November 3 2008 - 9:15 am
For anyone planning to watch election night TV coverage - and apparently, nearly everyone in America is - there are a couple things to know.
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, October 30 2008 - 12:00 am
First the great news: "30 Rock" returns tonight, showing every one of the many reasons it won an Emmy for best comedy.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, October 27 2008 - 12:00 am
It's a rough time to watch TV right now. It's not that the shows are any better or worse than usual though with "30 Rock" returning this week, the medium takes a small step up. It's because of the political ads.
Thursday, October 23 2008 - 12:00 am
These are busy TV times, starting with some complicated news about AMC's dazzling retro drama "Mad Men."
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, October 20 2008 - 12:00 am
It's time for another warning: We're four months out from the most complete change in the history of television.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, October 13 2008 - 12:00 am
This season's most heavily promoted show thank you, NBC Olympics is "My Own Worst Enemy," which could also describes NBC's programming department.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, October 6 2008 - 12:00 am
This is why we can't complain too much that just about anything will get on TV, because sometimes "anything" does show up, and it's worth a look, if just for the weirdness factor.
Thursday, October 2 2008 - 12:00 am
Ratings for new TV shows are down, but part of that drop is technology. When folks record broadcasts to view later, they don't show in some ratings counts. Plus, online viewership is higher.
Latest Nielsen ratings
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, September 29 2008 - 12:00 am
Two good shows that got their rookie seasons messed up by the writers strike NBC's solid "Chuck" and the even better "Life" return tonight for a second chance.
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, September 18 2008 - 12:00 am
It's Emmy time on Sunday (8 p.m. on Channel 10), and this year, some good shows even got nominated with the major exception, as always, of "The Wire," but I don't want to start down that dark tunnel.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, September 15 2008 - 12:00 am
Next week at this time, we'll have the official start of the fall TV season, and piles of new and returning shows barreling toward us, which may or may not be a good thing.
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, September 11 2008 - 12:00 am
This weekend, "Saturday Night Live" starts Season 34 I know, it just seems longer and it's kicking things off with a splash.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, September 1 2008 - 12:00 am
The official start of the fall TV season is three weeks away, but already more than a dozen new and returning shows premiere this week. If you're looking for the good new stuff, most of it's on cable.
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, August 28 2008 - 12:00 am
Aug. 28 is a big night for the Democrats, with presidential candidate Barack Obama set to speak. On Sept. 4, it'll be the same for the Republicans with John McCain. And these are two big weeks for all American voters, not that you'd notice on network TV.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, August 25 2008 - 12:00 am
With the Olympics finished, a lot of people will be feeling flush with free time. Or at least free TV time, and now is when you should catch up with those recordings or DVDs you've been holding, 'cause things will get busy soon.
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, August 21 2008 - 12:00 am
Before we get to anything important, and, yeah, there is important stuff in TV, I have to get this out.
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, August 14 2008 - 12:00 am
We're talking Olympic TV today, because at the moment, what else is there?
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, August 7 2008 - 12:00 am
NBC's sports biggies held a satellite news conference from Beijing with TV critics last month, and Bob Costas talked about the complicated anticipation for the Olympic Games that open Aug. 8.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, August 4 2008 - 12:00 am
Things are calm now, but starting with the opening ceremonies Friday night, the XXIXth Summer Olympics from Beijing will take over the television world.
By Rick Kushman -
Thursday, July 31 2008 - 12:00 am
I've got great news, and I know you're with me on this. The dog lives. No harm will come to the dog.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, July 28 2008 - 12:00 am
In one of the final news conferences last week of the TV critics press tour in Beverly Hills, football coach and commentator John Madden made a prediction. It was about "Dancing With the Stars."
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, July 21 2008 - 12:00 am
BEVERLY HILLS There's a constant, subtle drumbeat running through the press sessions here. Network execs keep saying that despite the hinky fall season coming at us with fewer new shows and a bunch of relaunches, broadcast TV is doing great.
By Rick Kushman -
Wednesday, July 2 2008 - 12:00 am
It was a Fourth of July a couple of years ago, and the young guy maybe 9 years old, maybe 10 was on his bike and hauling down Carlson Drive in River Park, holiday streamers sparkling off his handlebars.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, June 30 2008 - 12:00 am
I really hate to bring this up, but the contract between the Screen Actors Guild and the Hollywood networks and studios expires today, and there's no agreement in sight.
By Rick Kushman -
Friday, June 27 2008 - 12:00 am
It's both a very cool and a very sad thing that "Saturday Night Live" this week will re-air its first episode ever because it was hosted by George Carlin.
By Rick Kushman -
Monday, June 23 2008 - 12:00 am
We're still getting the summer lightweights this week as the networks trot out every feeble reality show short of someone repeatedly getting hit with a pie. Though that I might watch.