David Bianculli

David Bianculli is a guest host and TV critic on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. A contributor to the show since its inception, he has been a TV critic since 1975.

From 1993 to 2007, Bianculli was a TV critic for the New York Daily News.

Bianculli has written three books: Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (Simon & Schuster/Touchstone, 2009), Teleliteracy: Taking Television Seriously (1992), and Dictionary of Teleliteracy (1996).

An associate professor of TV and film at Rowan University in New Jersey, Bianculli is also the founder and editor of the online magazine, TVWorthWatching.com.

A Boy's Magical 'Touch' Predicts The Future

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Credit Fox

When Kiefer Sutherland ended his series of very long, very intense days as Jack Bauer on the Fox series 24, few people, including Sutherland himself, expected him to be starring in another TV series right away.

Credit Fox

In the new Fox series Touch, David Mazouz plays Jake, an autistic boy who doesn't talk but can predict future events. Jake also narrates the series.

By David Bianculli

The new Fox series Touch stars Kiefer Sutherland as a father — a widower — raising a withdrawn preteen son with behavioral problems.

But it doesn't begin with Sutherland.

It begins, instead, with the son — Jake, played by David Mazouz — providing the narration that opens the series. By the time the opening narration is over, you already know you're watching something a little different.

7:06 am

Mon January 16, 2012

Get 'Lost' In J.J. Abrams' Latest Show 'Alcatraz'

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Credit FX

In the two-hour premiere episode of Alcatraz, Rebecca (Sarah Jones) looks for clues to a missing prisoner from the 1960s who suddenly reappears in modern day.

Credit Prashant Gupta / FX

Timothy Olyphant (left) and Walton Goggins return for season three of Justified, along with a slew of guest stars including Carla Gugino and Neal McDonough.

By David Bianculli

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Let's begin with Justified – because, frankly, that's the one that's got me the most excited.

9:52 am

Thu January 12, 2012

Bill Moyers Is Back On TV — And Better Than Ever

Credit Peter Krogh / ©Peter Krogh

Bill Moyers began his career in journalism as a junior reporter at the Marshall News Messenger in Marshall, Texas.

By David Bianculli

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Moyers on death (September 2000)
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It's one of my favorite TV moments of this year. On Tuesday, the night of the New Hampshire primary, Stephen Colbert had Bill Moyers as his special guest on The Colbert Report. Moyers was there to publicize his return from retirement and the launch of his new TV series, Moyers & Company. Colbert booked him to help him do just that — but as his on-screen persona Stephen Colbert, the pontificating political conservative, he was there to throw good-natured verbal punches.

10:35 am

Tue January 10, 2012

A New 'Morning' On CBS, But Will It Work?

Credit John P. Filo / CBS

CBS This Morning is co-hosted by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill.

By David Bianculli

There are three new hosts of CBS This Morning, which was unveiled yesterday. One is Erica Hill, a holdover from The Early Show, the previous program in the early-morning time slot. Another is Gayle King, still best known as Oprah Winfrey's best friend, who's here to handle most of the entertainment interviews. And the third, the pivot point, is Charlie Rose, brought over from PBS to give this new show an injection of instant respectability and seriousness.

10:52 am

Fri January 6, 2012

This Weekend, Some New Shows (And Old Favorites)

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Credit Jordin Althaus / Showtime

Don Cheadle plays business consultant Marty Kaan in the new Showtime comedy House of Lies.

Credit Steve Wilkie / NBC

Josh Lucas stars in the NBC adaptation of John Grisham's bestseller The Firm.

Credit Patrick Ecclesine/Copyright:Show

In House of Lies, Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell play management consultants who are willing to do whatever it takes to get a deal finished.

By David Bianculli

The New Year brings with it new TV programming, and this Sunday is an especially busy one for television. Two new series premiere, while one miniseries and several other series return.

But because it's a new year, let's start with the new shows.

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10:00 am

Wed January 25, 2012