Robert Lloyd

Television Critic

Robert Lloyd has been a Los Angeles Times television critic since 2003. Previously, he held that position at L.A. Weekly, whose music editor and critic he also was for some years, and was the author of the Today column at the late Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. His oral history of “Freaks & Geeks” appeared in the January 2013 issue of Vanity Fair. Sometimes, usually after dark, he masquerades as a musician (credits available on request).

Latest From This Author

Television

Jessica Walter, wickedly smart and smartly wicked, brought strength to the screen

Television

Jessica Walter, wickedly smart and smartly wicked, brought strength to the screen

She embraced the rude, the weird, the mad. Jessica Walter, always adventurousness in her acting roles, died Wednesday at 80 but left an indelible mark on TV and film.

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Jessica Walter, beloved ‘Arrested Development’ star with a long resume, dies at 80
Television

Sherlock’s a mess. Watson’s a snob. The youngest players of ‘The Irregulars’? Extraordinary

Television

Sherlock’s a mess. Watson’s a snob. The youngest players of ‘The Irregulars’? Extraordinary

Victorian street kids get mixed up with Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes in a Netflix YA series with supernatural overtones.
Television

Review: ‘Genius: Aretha’ respects Franklin’s music. But there’s nothing like the real thing

Television

Review: ‘Genius: Aretha’ respects Franklin’s music. But there’s nothing like the real thing

Starring Cynthia Erivo, the new season of National Geographic’s anthology doesn’t quite ‘explain’ Franklin’s genius. But it will remind you of it.
Television

Review: Netflix’s ‘Waffles + Mochi’ proves that Michelle Obama is a kids’ TV natural

Television

Review: Netflix’s ‘Waffles + Mochi’ proves that Michelle Obama is a kids’ TV natural

A product of the Obamas’ Netflix deal, “Waffles + Mochi” resembles many other food and travel shows. But for kids. With a first lady. And puppets.
Television

With ‘Justice League,’ Superman is back in movies. But he’s always been better on TV

Television

With ‘Justice League,’ Superman is back in movies. But he’s always been better on TV

From George Reeves to the new “Superman & Lois,” the superhero and his alter ego, Clark Kent, have thrived most on TV’s patient character development.
Television

This year’s Golden Globes replaced ‘Hollywood party’ with ‘Zoom call’ — and fell flat

Television

This year’s Golden Globes replaced ‘Hollywood party’ with ‘Zoom call’ — and fell flat

Despite the best efforts of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, their generation’s Hope and Crosby, the 2021 telecast couldn’t shake its limitations.

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‘Nomadland’ and ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ win at Golden Globes, as HFPA tries to move past controversy
Television

Commentary: With the Muppets, Jim Henson created characters TV hasn’t forgotten. And never should

Television

Commentary: With the Muppets, Jim Henson created characters TV hasn’t forgotten. And never should

With the classic “The Muppet Show” now streaming on Disney+, Times TV critic Robert Lloyd explains the meaning and majesty of Jim Henson’s iconic creations.

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The Muppets aren’t TV’s only puppets of note. Here are 13 other greats
Television

The Muppets aren’t TV’s only puppets of note. Here are 13 other greats

Television

The Muppets aren’t TV’s only puppets of note. Here are 13 other greats

Alongside “The Muppet Show’s” Disney+ debut, TV critic Robert Lloyd lists the most important (non-Muppet) puppets in TV history, from Howdy Doody to Baby Yoda.
Television

Review: ‘Clarice’ is more CBS procedural than ‘Silence of the Lambs.’ That’s not a bad thing

Television

Review: ‘Clarice’ is more CBS procedural than ‘Silence of the Lambs.’ That’s not a bad thing

Though inspired by Jonathan Demme’s Oscar winner, CBS’ latest, with Rebecca Breeds as Agent Starling, finds its stride on more modest terrain: as a cop show.
Television

Commentary: How French comedy of manners ‘Call My Agent’ became an American sensation

Television

Commentary: How French comedy of manners ‘Call My Agent’ became an American sensation

The series, whose fourth season is now streaming on Netflix, shares some of the same allure as ‘Lupin’ and ‘Emily in Paris.’ But with more delicious results.