David Bianculli
Stories
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Paul Reubens steps out from behind his famous character in 'Pee-Wee as Himself'
Before his death in 2023, Reubens filmed an HBO documentary in which he explained why he refused to be seen or interviewed as himself for the whole time Pee-Wee Herman was starring in TV and films.
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Singer-songwriter Janis Ian proves a gifted storyteller in 'Breaking Silence'
Ian had her first hit record as a teenager in the 1960s and went on to win two Grammys. A new documentary tells her life story through a combination of vintage footage and newly recorded interviews.
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Conan O'Brien proves a worthy recipient of Mark Twain award in a new Netflix special
Back in March, a group of comic luminaries — from John Mulaney to Nikki Glaser — gathered at the Kennedy Center to celebrate O'Brien for receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
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'The Four Seasons' plays as a rom-com -- with a much wiser perspective than many
Tina Fey co-created and stars in a Netflix series about three middle-aged couples who meet for four short vacations each year. It's a mature, laid-back show, evoking more smiles than belly laughs.
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A new documentary checks out the many ways libraries are a 'Free For All'
By examining the value of libraries in the distant and recent past, this PBS film makes a compelling case for the importance of the American public library system today.
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'The Rehearsal' feels more surprising than ever as it returns for Season 2
The Max show uses actors and real people to stage elaborate recreations and imaginings of events. It's like a mystery tour, because you aren't given any clues about the final destination.
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'Black Mirror' remains a thought-provoking treasure in its 7th season
Netflix's near-future anthology series draws on classic film/TV for inspiration but its strongest episode, "Common People," takes on subscription tiers in a chilling way.
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Michelle Williams is brilliantly comic -- and tragic -- in Hulu's 'Dying for Sex'
A long-married woman with terminal cancer leaves her husband and embarks on a quest for sexual satisfaction in a miniseries that's so real and so raw it's likely to make you both laugh and cry.
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In 'The Studio,' Seth Rogen offers a hilarious take on Hollywood filmmaking
An outstanding new Apple TV+ comedy series sends up Hollywood's movie-making machine. You don't have to be a movie lover to appreciate The Studio, but the more you know, the more you'll laugh.
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'Ludwig' captivates with a light-hearted story about a missing identical twin
When a police inspector goes missing, his identical twin assumes his identity in an effort to solve the disappearance. Ludwig is one of the most original takes on the TV mystery genre.
