Prime-time couples turn up the heat

The Contenders: Tina Fey gets to let loose on the 'fun stuff' in '30 Rock's' final season

Tina Fey never had a master plan for the end of "30 Rock." She wasn't even sure if, this time last year, NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt...

'Arrested Development' Netflix road could lead to a movie

Just about every time one of the nine regular "Arrested Development" cast members has been interviewed over the last six or so years,...

'Arrested Development's' return a Bluth saga in itself

Just two days before "Arrested Development" would release its first new episodes in seven years, creator Mitchell Hurwitz called David Cross...

Emmy campaigning is more competitive than ever

When the producers of "Modern Family" claimed in a full-page Variety ad two years ago that curvaceous star Sofia Vergara would run naked...

Women front 'Nashville' band

Callie Khouri's office is laden with secrets.

Re-creating Liberace's dress-for-excess world

"Too much of a good thing is wonderful," declares Liberace in the closing minutes of "Behind the Candelabra." The line, borrowed from Mae...

HBO sees the light in Liberace biopic 'Behind the Candelabra'

NEW YORK — When the news broke in 1987 that Liberace, the famously flamboyant pianist, was dead at age 67 with what his manager had...

Farewell party at 'The Office' after 9 years

An old index card reads: Original. Real. Poignant. Those were the first words Greg Daniels jotted down a decade ago as his guide in...

Netflix's 'House of Cards' looks, but doesn't sound, like a hit

If "House of Cards" were an actual television show, this would be the day after its finale — a time to analyze the cultural impact...

The Amazon pilots (Part 2): Children's shows

Kevin O'Leary of 'Shark Tank' is always smelling blood

They call him Mr. Wonderful. But Kevin O'Leary was recently engaged in one of his less-than-wonderful rants, the kind familiar to anyone who...

Seth MacFarlane decries hoax 'Family Guy' clip on Boston bombings

Did "Family Guy" really predict the horrific Boston Marathon bombings in an episode that aired last month? No, but that's the latest hoax...

Melissa McCarthy as an abusive coach is a slam dunk for 'SNL'

Jimmy Fallon will bring a cool of his own to 'Tonight'

NEW YORK — If Jimmy Fallon was feeling stressed about his impending takeover of "The Tonight Show" during a rehearsal last Thursday at...

NBC hopes crime thriller fans will eat 'Hannibal' up

You just can't keep a good cannibal down.

Chris Hardwick's 'Talking Dead' walks off with zombie fans

As the latest installment of AMC's zombie apocalypse, "The Walking Dead," airs on a recent Sunday night, Chris Hardwick calmly sits in a...

'Temptation's' Renée Taylor just has to laugh at it all

This post has been corrected. See note below for details.

'Breaking Bad': The case of Bryan Cranston's missing script

As "Breaking Bad" gears up for its final season, a wayward script allegedly stolen from star Bryan Cranston's car has potentially...

Sounding off about singing shows

If you've managed to keep up with the array of singing competitions on the air without succumbing to exhaustion, kudos. With "American Idol,...

CW network revamp aims to draw wider audience

Is the audience for the CW, a network known for shows about teenage vampires and trendy high school students, getting a little long in the...

Adding Ferrell and Stiller, IFC builds on its offbeat-comedy rep

IFC is out to prove that big things can come out of small, quirky shows.

With 'Golden Boy,' Greg Berlanti enters a new precinct

As the creative force behind shows like “Everwood” and “Arrow,” not to mention a principal on movies like "Green...

Meet the kinder, gentler 'Vikings' of the History channel

Have the Vikings gotten a bum rap?

Oscars 2013: TV ratings rise with Seth MacFarlane as host

Seth MacFarlane may have sung about Oscar's losers, but he wasn't among them. Sunday's movie awards ceremony produced its best ratings in...

Oscars show review: Despite Adele, Michelle Obama, telecast is dull

Well, that didn't work.

Acceptable level of TV violence is ever shifting for viewers, execs

To any viewer who thinks "Sons of Anarchy" is too violent, consider the bright side: At least the castration scene got … um …...

'Inside Comedy': David Steinberg on comedy, inside and out

Veteran comedian David Steinberg, who has directed such hit TV comedies as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Mad About You" and "Seinfeld," returns...

'CBS This Morning' faces the day on its own terms

NEW YORK — It's not quite 8 a.m. on a Monday morning, and in a dark control room on West 57th Street, Chris Licht, executive...

'30 Rock': The five best moments from seven seasons

"30 Rock" has finally come to an end. We'll no longer have a chance to check in on Liz, Jack, Tracy, Jenna and poor, hapless Lutz. But...

J.R. Ewing to get a Texas-sized send-off on 'Dallas' reboot

Even though beloved octogenarian actor Larry Hagman died late last year, his iconic character J.R. Ewing will be back in trademark form...

Beware — serial killers loose on broadcast TV

In an alarming bit of synchronicity, or what some might call a lack of cultural imagination, two new series premiering on network television...

Laura Dern's 'Enlightened' approach

Season 2 of HBO's "Enlightened" finds Laura Dern as fortysomething executive Amy Jellicoe conspiring with an egotistical Los Angeles Times...

TV review: 'Real Husbands of Hollywood' are on perpetual play date

Kevin Hart's amiable, loose-limbed "Real Husbands of Hollywood," which premieres Tuesday on BET, is not so much a parody of the Bravo...

'Downton Abbey,' 'Mad Men:' Why the good old days are hot again

The third season premiere of "Downton Abbey" was heralded by the sort of media blitz more in line with the Summer Olympics or a new Robert...

Review: 'The Abolitionists' shows the people who led to Lincoln

Even as he helped orchestrate the American Revolution and the creation of modern democracy, John Adams worried that the framers of history,...

'Girls' is back, with flak jackets at the ready

Aspiring cultural critics of the world, get those pitches ready: "Girls," the show that inspired a thousand think pieces, is back.

A behind-the-scenes peek at 'Downton Abbey'

BERKSHIRE, England — It's a midsummer afternoon in the English countryside, and a parade of aristocrats is gliding up a grassy hill...

Critic's Notebook: Try to believe in the new TV season

For a television critic, the beginning of any new season is a bit like the first days of school, a time of unbroken bindings, neatly ordered...

Jimmy Kimmel's move signals a prime time for late-night TV shuffle

The noisy green room of Jimmy Kimmel's talk show in Hollywood was crawling with the show's thirtysomething writers, who stole occasional...

Bill Persky, that guy from 'That Girl'

Emmy Award-winning sitcom writer-producer-director Bill Persky was recently giving a lecture at New York University's film school when the...

Todd Fisher has a taste for 'United States of Bacon'

In the TV food show arena, bacon is the new black.

Walton Goggins talks 'Django Unchained,' 'Justified'

Alabama-born Walton Goggins is best known for playing corrupt cop Shane Vendrell on "The Shield" and born-again ex-con Boyd Crowder on...

'Hobbit,' 'Doctor Who,' 'Big Bang Theory': Geek goes mainstream

Best TV shows of 2012: The year of Sherlock Holmes

For the generations of men who have wondered what it is women want, this year has made it fairly obvious. We want a man of devastating...

'Arrow': John Barrowman talks archery, 'Doctor Who' anniversary

Angus T. Jones is a still-learning 19-year-old

Review: Big Cat Week on National Geographic Wild spots a leopard

For the premiere episode of its third annual Big Cat Week, National Geographic Wild has upped the stakes.

Fans join in wife-bashing on 'Walking Dead,' other AMC series

Even by the gruesome standards of AMC's zombie megahit "The Walking Dead," the death of Lori Grimes, the heavily pregnant wife of...

Christmas TV specials overflow this year on Hallmark, ABC and more

As a child of the San Fernando Valley, I knew the yuletide as a time of frost-free mornings when I could not see my breath. Turning down...

'Vegas' actor Michael Chiklis on playing heroes and villains

Michael Chiklis, who scored an Emmy and Golden Globe for playing corrupt cop Vic Mackey in "The Shield," stars as mob casino boss Vincent...

In 'Restless,' William Boyd spies overlooked World War II chapter

British novelist and screenwriter William Boyd doesn't buy the conventional wisdom that a writer should never adapt his own books. His...

'Parenthood' creator Jason Katims: 'Things get messy'

NBC's "Parenthood" is curled up in emotion -- glassy eyes and screaming outbursts are a common occurrence (for the characters, and viewers...

'Walking Dead's' Norman Reedus is go-to guy in zombie times

In an era when vampires, werewolves, serial killers and other forces of the underworld freely prowl the television airwaves, "The Walking...

Connie Britton finds a true voice in 'Nashville'

After the indelible impression Connie Britton made as Tami Taylor, the über-capable and compassionate high school counselor and wife to...

Audiences get star treatment at 'Jeff Probst Show'

Be-dimpled Jeff Probst may not be changing the face of television as we know it — though he once did, with his hosting duties on the...

Larry Hagman: A video retrospective of 'Jeannie,' 'Dallas,' BVDs

Larry Hagman may have been best known for his role as the delightfully despicable oil man J.R. Ewing on "Dallas," but his six-decade...

Larry Hagman, boyish to the end: An appreciation

Larry Hagman, who as J.R. Ewing was famously shot but survived to finish 14 seasons and 357 episodes of "Dallas" and who rose again to lie...

'Liz & Dick' producer talks risks of working with Lindsay Lohan

Larry A. Thompson has long been fascinated with celebrity couples who "fly so close to the sun." Sonny and Cher, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz...

Meredith Baxter, Michael Gross know how to make fake marriage work

Meredith Baxter recalls that when she met Michael Gross 30 years ago at the first table read for the award-winning NBC sitcom, "Family Ties,...

Matthew Moy casts his fate with '2 Broke Girls'

Matthew Moy could barely contain himself, almost leaping out of his chair at an outdoor Beverly Hills cafe with excitement. "See this?"...

'Homeland's' Morgan Saylor takes center stage

Morgan Saylor is the teen with the most overworked eyebrows in the business.

The Sunday Conversation: Susan Lacy examines David Geffen on 'American Masters'

Susan Lacy, creator and executive producer of PBS' "American Masters" series, gives viewers a rare look at pop culture impresario David...

The Petraeus affair: unscripted and simply scandalous

It's "Homeland" meets "The Real Housewives" — and it's hands down the best serialized show on TV.

Miranda Cosgrove and 'iCarly' set for a last dance

Miranda Cosgrove, the sprightly star of Nickelodeon's "iCarly," is sitting on the floor of the show's fictional Ridgeway school set during a...

Ken Burns' latest: The man-made disaster of the Dust Bowl

In a sense, Ken Burns' new documentary is the photographic negative of the one he delivered in 2009: Instead of swooning full-color shots of...

'Walking Dead': Glen Mazzara promises 'hard-hitting' action

Wonder Woman: 40 years later, still a feminist flashpoint

Quiz: Test your 'Jersey Shore' vocabulary

Goodbye, "Jersey Shore" guidos and guidettes.

'Doctor Who' finale: Jenna-Louise Coleman on the mystery of Clara

Online soap producers fight a bubble binge

Prospect Park, the Century City-based entertainment company, in just two weeks has learned a valuable lesson in online viewing behavior.

Networks send SOS to Michael J. Fox, Robin Williams and other stars

'American Idol' finale recap: Candice Glover wins Season 12

Candice Glover was crowned the Season 12 winner of "American Idol" on Thursday night, giving us all a lesson in hard work and persistence...

'Wonder Woman' on TV? CW is redeveloping series for 'trickiest' hero

'The Office' stays true to its heart, even after 9 seasons

"The Office" will close its doors Thursday night after eight years and nine seasons.

The Gold Standard: It's time for Emmy to surprise us

Backstage at the Emmys last year, reporters were squirming — and not just because of the ill-fitting rental tuxes and too-tight gowns....

'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.': Joss Whedon, Clark Gregg on Coulson return

'The Office' finale: Saying goodbye to JAM

“Four years ago, I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl who had a boyfriend. I had to do the hardest thing I’ve ever had...

TV broadcasters are in suspense over their upfront ad haul

Can the return of Michael J. Fox, agent Jack Bauer and "Ironside" help vanquish the flesh-eating zombies that are threatening to take a bite...

Dr. Joyce Brothers, famed TV psychologist, dies at 85

Dr. Joyce Brothers, a psychologist who became a pop-culture fixture after she turned to radio and television in the late 1950s to tend to...

Barbara Walters to retire from TV journalism

Barbara Walters is saying goodbye to TV journalism.

Aspiring TV producers polish their pitches

On a warm, Friday morning in Beverly Hills, 150 prospective television producers from around the world gathered at PitchCon 2013 at the...

Barbara Walters: Groundbreaking TV journalist is set to retire

Barbara Walters is saying goodbye to TV journalism.

Review: '10 Buildings That Changed America' is a rewarding tour

The new PBS program "10 Buildings That Changed America" is nothing if not efficient.

'Scandal' has become must-tweet TV

ABC's "Scandal" revolves around a beautiful, law-breaking Washington power-fixer with killer instincts and a matching wardrobe. She's...

Review: HBO's 'Family Tree' rooted in warm, goofy eccentricity

Christopher Guest, the director of "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind," has made a TV series for HBO.

Jenna-Louise Coleman's Clara is right in time with 'Doctor Who'

Peter Sagal's 'Constitution USA' hits the road with humor

NEW YORK — If someone told you of a barnstorming TV host who interviewed people around the country about a given subject, you'd say it...

'Game of Thrones': Nikolaj Coster-Waldau turns up for 'SNL' skit

'House of Cards,' or more like house of product placement?

These are heady days for the online on-demand entertainment service Netflix. The company’s stock recently surged 22% after a strong...

Review: 'Maron' on IFC features a curmudgeonly comic

Funny and trying, "Maron," which premieres Friday on IFC, stars the comedian and podcaster Marc Maron as comedian and podcaster Marc Maron.

Television review: 'Family Tools' still retooling

Television is an unusually fluid art. Because a TV series exists in time, over time, change and revision are in its blood. It's as if...

Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Judd Apatow kick off #Comedyfest

Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner, joined in comedy history as the 2,...

'Scream': MTV says it will move forward on a potential series

NEW YORK -- MTV is taking a turn to the horror side, greenlighting a pilot based on Wes Craven’s “Scream” film franchise.

TV networks look to pilots to help them ascend in ratings

There are monsters and vampires, science fiction, trips back and forward through time, supernatural themes and other out-of-this-world...

'Game of Thrones': Maisie Williams on what's best for Arya Stark

NBC's 'Chicago Fire' has kindled a following

NBC's "Chicago Fire" did not exactly generate a lot of heat when it launched last fall.

On TV, a new breed of Modern Woman

A ruthlessly self-aware political wife reconsidering her choices. A sensual socialite facing down an oppressive age with informed good...

'Hannibal' episode pulled in wake of Boston bombing

The fourth episode of NBC's serial-killer drama "Hannibal" scheduled to air next week has been pulled because of concerns over violence in...

Happy birthday, Superman! A look back at 75 powerful years

R.I.P. Pat Summerall, straight man to John Madden in NFL booth

With the death of Pat Summerall, sports broadcasting lost one of its great straight men.

'Once Upon a Time' graphic novel cover has the evil queen's touch

'Game of Thrones' show runners on Jaime Lannister's evolution

Review: National Geographic's 'The '80s' gets the decade just right

It's so easy to make fun of the 1980s.

Jonathan Winters dies at 87; comic genius of improvisation

Comic great Jonathan Winters was struggling to make a name for himself in the early 1950s when a man at the nightclub where he was...

Here's Peter Lassally: A life in late-night television

Late-night television, busier than ever (and at its best, better than ever) with talk shows and comedy, has been in the news again lately,...

'American Idol' recap: Lazaro Arbos exits; only women remain

Thank you, America. You finally sent home the right guy. Yes, at long last, and after scaring many of us by mysteriously landing in the...