Lorraine Ali

Television Critic

Lorraine Ali is television critic of the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she was a senior writer for the Calendar section where she covered culture at large, entertainment and American Muslim issues. Ali is an award-winning journalist and Los Angeles native who has written in publications ranging from the New York Times to Rolling Stone and GQ. She was formerly The Times’ music editor and before that, a senior writer and music critic with Newsweek magazine.

Latest From This Author

Awards

That was so traumatic! So why are we laughing? 7 comedy stars share why comedy hurts

Phil Dunster, Janelle James, Adam Scott, Molly Shannon and others reveal the push and pull of being funny on TV
Television

‘Succession’ finale: Waystar Royco has a new CEO. Here’s what happened

Times staff breaks down the HBO series’ finale, including Shiv and Tom’s power swings, the Roy sibling rivalry, the company’s new CEO and more.
Television

Review: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne are the best part about ‘Platonic.’ The gags, not so much

Rogen and Byrne reunite in this Apple TV+ series, premiering Wednesday, about two best friends who reconnect after a rift.
Television

‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ takes lots of improv and holding back laughs, its creator says

Robin Thede, the creator and showrunner of the sketch comedy series on HBO, talks about how they created the sketches in Season 4 and the return of several zany characters.
Television

Patricia Arquette is at home among Yucca Valley’s fringe characters in ‘High Desert’

Arquette talks about the Apple TV+ comedy series in which she plays a former addict and cancan dancer who decides to become a private investigator.
Television

Review: Believe the talk of the ton: ‘Queen Charlotte’ rules in this ‘Bridgerton’ prequel

India Ria Amarteifio stars as a young Queen Charlotte, and Golda Rosheuvel reprises her role, in the latest installment from Shonda Rhimes and Netflix.
Television

Commentary: James Corden and the ‘Late Late Show’ was so much fun, until it wasn’t

Corden is saying goodbye to his CBS late night show with a starry slate of guests and a primetime special Thursday, but he leaves behind a lopsided legacy.
Television

Commentary: Cable news remains powerful. The reaction to Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon proves it

How the media reacted to the firings of the Fox News and CNN hosts is a signal of the power that cable TV news, and its anchors, continues to wield.
Television

Review: In ‘Dead Ringers,’ the miracle of life balances on the precipice of death

Sibling co-dependency and onscreen birthing are taken to graphic, new levels in Prime Video’s superbly nefarious miniseries drama.
World & Nation

Commentary: In Tennessee, expelled lawmakers remind a nation what political bravery looks like

Thanks to social media and TV news, Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson’s response to a brazen power grab Thursday reached far beyond their districts.