TV Reviews

Arts

Mel Brooks serves up more delightful surprises in 'History of the World: Part II'

1:24pm March 06, 2023

by David Bianculli

In 1981, Brooks wrote, directed and starred in a collection of short comedy sketches, called History of the World: Part I. Forty-two years later, he's presenting an eight-episode TV sequel for Hulu.

Queue Listen Now

Matthew Rhys plays the unbeatable defense attorney Perry Mason in HBO's series.

Arts

'Perry Mason' returns for Season 2, but the reboot is less fun than the original

2:12pm March 03, 2023

by John Powers

The HBO series starring Matthew Rhys lures us in with the Perry Mason brand. But it ultimately overlooks the shark-like courtroom demeanor that made the character more legend than lawyer.

Queue Listen Now

The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu in Season 2 of The Mandalorian.

Arts

'Table setting' backstory burdens 'The Mandalorian' Season 3 debut

4:35pm March 02, 2023

by Eric Deggans

In the first few episodes of the new season there is way too much tell and not enough show — but it's too early to abandon the series.

Arts

'The Daily Show' guest hosts (so far): Why Leslie Jones soared and D.L. Hughley sank

2:09pm February 27, 2023

by Eric Deggans

Who will permanently fill Trevor Noah's chair on Comedy Central's news satire show? Guest hosts include Leslie Jones, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, Wanda Sykes, D.L. Hughley and Hasan Minhaj.

Arts

'Hello Tomorrow!' seals the deal with a decidedly retro vision of the future

2:02pm February 24, 2023

by David Bianculli

Billy Crudup plays a traveling salesman, hawking new homes on the moon in this Apple TV+ series. Hello Tomorrow! is a colorful fantasy world, populated with characters real enough to care about.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Now in its 10th season, John Oliver's 'Last Week' is still as fresh and funny as ever

2:21pm February 21, 2023

by David Bianculli

Oliver rarely has guests, so the HBO show relies on him to sell both the jokes and the facts — which he does, always counter-punching with a punchline whenever things start getting too serious.

Queue Listen Now

Jonathan Frakes as Will Riker and Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard.

Arts

'Star Trek: Picard' soars by embracing the legacy of 'The Next Generation'

5:00am February 16, 2023

by Eric Deggans

With a nod to the past and a reassembling of an old crew, 'Star Trek: Picard' is finally able to boldly go into a new adventure worthy of its legacy.

Connie Britton plays Dee Dee, a wealthy woman who has lost her husband, in Dear Edward.

Arts

'Dear Edward' tugs — and tugs, and tugs — at your heartstrings

5:00am February 04, 2023

by Linda Holmes

If you enjoyed having a good cry over This Is Us, then Dear Edward, about the aftermath of a plane crash, is for you. But it's a Very Sad Show and your heartstrings should know what they're in for.

Ill-informed TV correspondent Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) travels around the world in Cunk on Earth.

Arts

Clunky title aside, 'Cunk on Earth' is a mockumentary with cult classic potential

1:33pm February 03, 2023

by David Bianculli

An ill-informed TV correspondent travels the world — with hilarious results — in Netflix's new oddball show. Diane Morgan's delivery is deliciously dry, and her improv skills are formidable.

Queue Listen Now

Luke Tennie and Jason Segel star in Apple TV's Shrinking.

Arts

'Shrinking' gets great work from a great cast

2:55pm January 31, 2023

by Linda Holmes

The new comedy series Shrinking shares some DNA with Ted Lasso. But it's a smaller-scale piece with one of the strongest across-the-board casts that's been assembled in recent memory.