David Bianculli
Stories
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Cheers to 'House of Guinness,' which feels like an 1860s, Irish 'Succession'
A new Netflix show by the creator of Peaky Blinders fictionalizes the battle for control of the venerable Irish brewing company. Family drama comes to a foamy head in this eight-part series.
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'The Office' creators deliver 'The Paper,' a sharp mockumentary about journalism
The issues facing journalism these days — from online clickbait to corporate interference — run throughout The Paper. But it's primarily a comedy, with characters and actors that will win you over.
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'Task' is a new, compelling crime drama from the creator of 'Mare of Easttown'
Mark Ruffalo stars as a former priest turned FBI agent in Brad Ingelsby's new HBO miniseries. Set in small-town Pennsylvania, Task is packed with action and conflict, but it also has a lot of heart.
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'Alien: Earth' delivers scares and thrills as it considers the evolution of humanity
Noah Hawley's TV prequel to the original Alien film feature first-class action and visuals — and a stunning season finale that provides both closure and exciting possibilities for the future.
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Mother-daughter dynamics dominate an ambitious second season of 'Wednesday'
The latest season features a host of eccentric new characters in addition to returning old ones. But Wednesday's greatest joy is the expanded emphasis given to Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams.
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HBO documentary offers an unflinching take on Billy Joel's life and music
Billy Joel: And So It Goes reveals the inspiration and process behind certain songs. But it also digs into Joel's alcoholism, multiple marriages and divorces, and his conflicts with fellow musicians.
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Remembering composer and musical satirist Tom Lehrer
Lehrer, who died July 26, wrote numerous satirical songs, including "Pollution" and "The Vatican Rag." In the latter half of his life, he also taught math at Harvard and MIT.
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Why ending 'The Late Show' is a Paramount error
CBS canceled Stephen Colbert's late night show last week. By not appreciating, defending and nurturing The Late Show Paramount is muzzling its best voices, and diluting its own broadcast future.
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'Outrageous' period drama showcases a political division that hits close to home
Set in the 1930s, a new six-part BritBox series tells of the infamously non-conformist Mitford sisters, whose involvement in various political causes roiled their aristocratic parents.
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'Always Sunny' and 'Abbott Elementary' mash-up in a unique network crossover
In January, the characters of the FX series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia showed up as court-appointed volunteers on an episode of the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary. The crossover continues July 9.
