David Bianculli

Critic David Bianculli remembers the debut, 70 years ago this month, of two variety shows — one hosted by Berle, the other by Sullivan — that showcased the powerful impact of television.

As the story goes, on Valentine's Day 1900, several students and their teacher slipped away from a holiday picnic and never returned. Amazon's new six-part TV miniseries explores the legend.

Critic David Bianculli describes Amazon's Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle as a slightly more stylized — though ultimately "hit and miss" — version of the classic cartoon.

Critic Dave Bianculli says that the new TV movie "dilutes and deflates" the 1953 novel it draws from. Viewers should "skip the movie, and go back and read Bradbury's book."

Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the Showtime miniseries, based on novels by Edward St. Aubyn. Critic David Bianculli finds the show wickedly funny, searingly dramatic and unforgettably gripping.

Both shows are set in a dystopian near-future where things have gone terribly wrong — and both expand their established environments considerably in their sophomore seasons.

Legion began its second season in early April on FX. David Bianculli says the new episode of the series, "Chapter 11," is strange and compelling in a way that reminds him of the original Twin Peaks.

Critic David Bianculli highlights two new TV dramas: an HBO film starring Al Pacino as Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, and an eight-part BBC America series about a sociopathic killer.

Bochco, who died Sunday, created numerous series, including Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue. TV Critic David Bianculli looks back on Bochco's impact, then we listen to his 1989 Fresh Air interview.

Thirty years later, the Conner family returns, with many of their squabbles centering on current issues. Critic David Bianculli says the new Roseanne is good — "but nowhere near required viewing."

Filmmaker Judd Apatow examines the major influences in Shandling's life — as well the ways the late comedian influenced others — in his two-part documentary, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling.

Netflix's drama about a woman who rebels against conformity and power structures returns for a second season on Thursday. Critic David Bianculli says Jessica Jones "transcends the superhero genre."

Scientists and filmmakers capture images in unprecedented, truly breathtaking ways in the BBC nature documentary series. Critic David Bianculli calls Blue Planet II a "dazzling piece of television."

Fred Rogers debuted on national public television in 1968 and quickly became known for his deliberate manner of relating to children. "Every one of us longs to be in touch with honesty," he once said.

Critic David Bianculli says both shows are part of the revival of a TV genre that's been dormant for too long. "The beauty of the anthology series is that anything could happen," he says.

The former late night host returns to what he does best — interesting, unpredictable talk — in his new series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.

Fresh Air's TV critic spends a lot of time watching television — in part because there are so many great shows to watch. Godless, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Fargo are also among his favorites.

Alias Grace tells the true story of an Irish immigrant who worked as a household maid in Canada in the 1850s and was later convicted of murder.

In 1996, The Dana Carvey Show debuted -- then folded after producing only eight episodes. Critic David Bianculli says Hulu's Too Funny To Fail about the flop is entertaining from beginning to end.

A new Netflix series explores the formation of the FBI serial crime unit and the psychology of mass murder. Critic David Bianculli says Mindhunter's emphasis on motive results in a compelling show.