Eric Deggans

Tv and Media Critic for the Saint Petersburg Times

Eric Deggans appears in the following:

Norman Lear's TV shows pioneered depictions of Black families, but it's complicated

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Norman Lear transformed TV with his focus on the dynamics of Black families in shows like "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times."

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The legacy of visionary TV producer Norman Lear, dead at 101

Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Norman Lear, who addressed serious issues in humorous sitcoms, died Tuesday in Los Angeles at the age of 101. He leaves behind a legacy of hit 1970s sitcoms that revolutionized television.

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Jonathan Majors' career hangs in limbo as assault trial begins

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Before his arrest, Jonathan Majors' star was on the rise. His film Magazine Dreams has been pulled from the release calendar, and Marvel has paused upcoming projects pending the outcome of this trial.

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'Stamped From the Beginning' is a sharp look at the history of anti-Black racism

Monday, November 20, 2023

Professor Ibram X. Kendi's documentary kicks off with a provocative question: What is wrong with Black people?

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Why does Apple TV+ have so many of the best streaming shows you've never heard of?

Friday, November 17, 2023

People may grumble about Apple's higher monthly fee, but there are a lot of original series packed in their lineup that many viewers haven't yet considered.

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'The Crown' shines in its final season — just remember it's not the History Channel

Thursday, November 16, 2023

The Crown shifts seamlessly from highly accurate depictions to invented moments. In its sixth season, deeply personal scenes once again may make viewers wonder if what they're seeing really happened.

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Here's what to know on Taylor Tomlinson, one of late-night TV's newest hosts

Monday, November 13, 2023

Eric Deggans gives an intro to Taylor Tomlinson, who will soon make her debut as the late-night TV host of After Midnight.

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What the tentative SAG-AFTRA deal means for the entertainment industry

Thursday, November 09, 2023

Word spread Wednesday that the strike by Hollywood actors would end after 118 days. Here's what the tentative deal means for the entertainment industry.

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Bass Reeves deserves better – 'Lawmen' doesn't do justice to the Black U.S. marshal

Friday, November 03, 2023

As a Black TV critic who loves Westerns, Eric Deggans really wanted to like this show. But he found the first four episodes were focused on being a Modern Western Epic, at the expense of Reeves' story

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'Friends' star Matthew Perry has died at age 54

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Actor Matthew Perry, known for playing Chandler Bing on the hitNBC sitcom "Friends," has died. He was 54.

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'The New Yorker' fact-checked Hasan Minhaj — now he's issued a rebuttal

Friday, October 27, 2023

The New Yorker's profile of Minhaj said he exaggerated or made up stories for effect in his comedy specials. Here's how the comic responded in a 21-minute video.

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'The Daily Show' returns with jokes and serious talk about war in Israel

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Minutes into his first episode as guest host on The Daily Show Monday, correspondent Michael Kosta faced a particularly tough challenge.

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Michael Kosta, Desus Nice, Leslie Jones among new guest hosts for 'The Daily Show'

Thursday, October 12, 2023

There's a a long schedule of temporary hosts stretching to the end of November.

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A new 'Frasier' seeks success with fresh characters who seem a lot like the old ones

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

What's the easiest way to create a new version of the classic sitcom Frasier for the streaming era? Clone the original series with new characters who provide the same functions as the old ones.

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In season 2, 'Loki' keeps its charm while reflecting on some of Marvel's problems

Friday, October 06, 2023

Loki, the Marvel universe's anti-heroic God of Mischief, has returned for a second season. How does it stack up against other Marvel streaming shows?

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Roy Wood Jr. says he's leaving 'The Daily Show' but he doesn't hold a grudge

Thursday, October 05, 2023

Late night TV has seen a recent exodus of non-white stars — from Desus and Mero and Ziwe to Trevor Noah himself.

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Late night TV is back! We rank their first episodes

Tuesday, October 03, 2023

The strike meant the hosts were sidelined for about five months and their return reminds us that satire helps us process the absurdities of modern life and politics.

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What the Hollywood writers union deal means for TV

Monday, September 25, 2023

Writers are set to vote on a new contract to end a nearly five-month strike against the studios. But many questions remain about the agreement and when TV shows and films might resume production.

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Three things to know about the Hollywood Writers' tentative agreement

Monday, September 25, 2023

Writers are set to vote to ratify a new contract before they can end their nearly five month strike against the studios.

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There's a lot to love in the 'Hair Love'-inspired TV series 'Young Love'

Thursday, September 21, 2023

The animated series on Max follows a young Black family getting back on its feet after the mother is struck by illness. The show is a spin-off from an Oscar-winning short film by Matthew A. Cherry.

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