Sitcoms

TV critic David Bianculli previews the final "Cosby" show that airs on Thursday night.

Television David Bianculli reviews two new television shows -- Norman Lear's sitcom "Sunday Dinner," and David Attenborough's nature documentary series "Trials of Life."

Television critic David BianculliI tells us about two new series premiering on ABC this week: "My Life and Times," by the creator of "Beauty and the Beast," and "Dinosaurs," a comedy that was the last project of Jim Henson.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews three of the network's specials that feature some of the best moments from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "All in the Family," and "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Actress Blair Brown of the Lifetime cable sitcom, "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd." She plays a single, divorced woman living in New York. The show is in its last season; Molly, who is white, is forty and pregnant with the child of her late boyfriend, who is black.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews The Flash, a live action show based on the D.C. comic strip, and Evening Shade, about a high school football coach played by Burt Reynolds. Bianculli also expresses his disappointment that Twin Peaks got snubbed at the latest Emmy Awards.

Critic David Bianculli says that networks are releasing more new programs than ever before. He reviews four upcoming sitcoms; only one -- The Fresh Prince of Bel Air -- really works.

Television critic David Bianculli previews three new shows, coming up this week on each network. They are: "Bagdad Café," "Equal Justice," and "Carol & Co." (with Carol Burnett).

Television critic David Bianculli reviews two new CBS sitcoms: "Normal Life," starring Frank Zappa's kids, Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa, and "Sydney," starring Valerie Bertinelli of "One Day at a Time" fame. Bianculli says one is pretty good, and the other needs some polishing.

Television critic David Bianculli looks at the CBS Monday night comedy lineup, particularly "The Famous Teddy Z," starring Jon Cryer as an unlikely talent agent.

Family Ties and Moonlighting both ended recently. TV critic David Bianculli says their final episodes highlight the programs' strengths and weaknesses.

The new half-hour comedy Nick and Hillary is a reworking of the hour-long barroom drama Tattinger's. TV critic David Bianculli is a fan, though he admits the show's groan-worthy jokes are polarizing.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the network's latest pilots, including a ghastly sitcom, a thirtysomething ripoff, and a magical hour from the Muppet's creator.

The Soap actor stars in a new sitcom, about a divorced man and his children. TV critic David Bianculli says that, unlike Guillaume's career and talents, the show has a long way to go.

David Marc considers his new book about classic sitcoms as a kind of autobiography: each show he reviews reminds him of the time in his life when he first watched it. He joins Fresh Air to talk about the history and politics of television comedy, especially in how it restricted the roles of women and people of color.

TV critic David Bianculli calls the new sitcom, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Richard Lewis, has an intriguing premise and promising cast, but it follows a familiar, cookie-cutter formula, and its writing needs work.

TV critic David Bianculli admits to never having liked the Brady Bunch when it first aired. The new holiday special only solidifies his opinion.

AKA Michael Harris on the Bob Newhart Show. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his character's developing love life. Scolari also juggles, a talent which will soon be featured on sitcom.

Critic-at-large Laurie Stone says that, while movies tend to be male-dominated, television has had the power to give more substantial roles to women. She reviews three new sitcoms about women at home and in the workplace.