Writer Eric Deggans argues that it's just as easy to stereotype white, working-class people as folks of color. He's wondering: Why haven't we seen stronger protests of shows that stereotype whites?

For Eric Deggans, the TV and media critic for the Tampa Bay Times, code-switching wasn't always easy — and he learned it the hard way.

In the era of Glee and Smash, musical TV shows are seemingly all over the airwaves. But when shows that are usually dialogue-filled -- like Psych or Grey's Anatomy -- break format and go "musical" for just one episode, the results can be mixed. Soundcheck bullpen contributor, Faith Salie, and Eric Deggans, media critic for the Tampa Bay Times, join us to talk about when shows turn in their scripts for sheet music.

What are your favorite shows that have done a "musical" episode? Which shows could use one to shake things up? Tell us in the comments section.

Commentator Eric Deggans says the HBO film Game Change, based on a much-discussed book about the 2008 campaign, may inform the way we see the 2012 election.

Last night's Super Bowl halftime show included cartwheels, bedazzled muumuus, raised middle fingers - and Queen Madge herself. We take your reactions to Madonna's performance - and ask TV and media critic Eric Deggans for his take.

In the wake of founder Don Cornelius’ death last week, we look back at the importance of “Soul Train” in television history and American race relations. Joining us is Eric Deggans, TV and media critic for the Tampa Bay Times.

Commentator Eric Deggans says the TV networks are spinning old genres in new ways, but they're mostly making themselves dizzy.

Steely Dan’s 1977 album “Aja” rebelled against the disco and rock hits of the day and achieved a new level of smooth. As of this year, the Library of Congress has also deemed it so culturally and aesthetically significant that it's now going to be preserved in the National Recording Registry. In this Soundcheck Smackdown, we debated Steely Dan's "Aja" with St. Petersburg Times media critic Eric Deggans and freelance music critic Alex V. Cook.

Steely Dan’s 1977 album “Aja” rebelled against the disco and rock hits of the day and achieved a new level of smooth. As of this year, the Library of Congress has also deemed it so culturally and aesthetically significant that it's now going to be preserved in the National Recording Registry. Following up on our review of the 25 sound recordings that were most recently given this honor, we Smackdown Steely Dan's "Aja" with St. Petersburg Times media critic Eric Deggans and freelance music critic Alex V. Cook.

Last month, Kevin Eubanks left The Tonight Show after 15 years as Jay Leno's bandleader and music director. Now, the stage is set for a new challenger to assert dominance as the hottest late-night band in the land.

So maybe the 1970s Heinz commercial that featured Carly Simon's "Anticipation" left us forever thinking the song was about ketchup. Musicians have always been admonished for licensing their songs in commercials - but when no one buys albums anymore, how else can an artist get paid? With us to debate ...

This Sunday, AMC kicks off the third season of its runaway hit, Mad Men. Set in 1960’s New York City, the show celebrates the world-weary cool of the Madison Avenue advertising world. It also portrays an America in transition, having passed through the doldrums of the Eisenhower era and not yet ready for the free lovin’ Woodstock nation. For a look at what this year’s Mad Men brings to the small screen, we are joined by Eric Deggans. He is the television and media critic for the St. Petersburg Times. And to gauge if Mad Men gets the advertising world right, we are joined by Cindy Gallop. She is an advertising consultant and former chairman of the advertising agency BBH.

Courtesy of AMC TV, here's the finale of season 2:

Born in underground music clubs and raised on dancefloors, disco hit the mainstream in 1977 with the film Saturday Night Fever. Soon, it seemed that anything could be "disco": clothes, furniture, or even a Rolling Stones hit. But two years later, a cultural backlash booted disco from the pop ...

Television advertisers are expected to shine on Super Bowl Sunday. But dark clouds are looming over the consumer economy. Joining us to talk about this year's Super Bowl ads -- and the role music will play in them -- are Josh Rabinowitz, senior vice president and director of music at ...

Most people can sing at least a few lines from the songs that opened television shows like "Gilligan's Island," "The Brady Bunch," or "The Jeffersons." Yet few programs today kick off with a musical explanation of the series' premise. We ask Eric Deggans, media critic at the St. Petersburg Times, ...

Most people can sing at least a few lines from the songs that opened television shows like "Gilligan's Island," "The Brady Bunch," or "The Jeffersons." Yet few programs today kick off with a musical explanation of the series' premise. We ask Eric Deggans, media critic at the St. Petersburg Times, ...