An inoffensive live- action cartoon for the younger set. [28 Nov 2002]

Mr. Baker has charisma to burn. The dialogue and storytelling in The Guardian are sharp without being overly slick. [25 Sept 2001, p.10C]

That's Life encapsulates what's most frustrating about network television: lots of obviously talented people working on a fundamentally weak and/or worn-out idea. The show and its cast struggle valiantly to have genuine moments shared by real people. [1 Oct 2000, p.7C]

Sucking up to standard sitcom conventions doesn't necessarily hurt, or help, the show. It's still funnier than most of this season's newcomers but not worth running home to - or even telling a friend about. [15 Apr 2003]

The Medium pilot isn't as consistently stylish as Mr. Caron's other work, and some of the action strains credibility in scenes that have nothing to do with the supernatural. [3 Jan 2005]

Madigan Men has a talented core of actors, and the topic of how men do (or don't) get along has plenty of storytelling potential. But in the premiere, the writing falls flat and, thanks to that laugh track, you can't help but notice how many of the "jokes" aren't funny. [6 Oct 2000, p.4C]

Perhaps The Fugitive will slow its frenetic pace in future episodes. The original show had its share of narrow escapes but didn't rely on heavy-duty action every week. They instead focused on Kimble's close encounters with strangers, some kind, others sinister. [6 Oct 2000, p.1C]

Amply seasoned with treachery, lechery, debauchery, depravity, nudity and infidelity, HBO's Rome also tends to fall victim to filmmaking's cardinal sin - tedium. [28 Aug 2005, p.3]

The intermittent blare of pop songs, telegraphing how the audience should feel, also breaks the fourth wall, undermining the power of the action sequences and the few poignant scenes between Sydney and her in-the-dark boyfriend (Edward Atterton). [30 Sept 2001, p.9C]

It's unlikely anyone will be racing home to watch it. What we have here is a B-minus comedy that you can take or leave. Sort of like Wings. No harm done. No chill-bumps either. [3 Mar 1997]

The O.C. looks as though it will be hard-pressed to build and maintain a loyal base of younger viewers. Sure, it's worth a look. But no, it wouldn't be terribly missed. [4 Aug 2003, p.12E]

Without Mr. Benzali and archvillain Richard Cross (Stanley Tucci), and without last season's meticulously unfolding story, year two of Murder One is not groundbreaking. It's just another solid TV drama. But because the action moves more quickly, it might draw more viewers. [10 Oct 1996, p.1C]

Most of this is enjoyable, some of it a bit much. But Bette is Bette, as is "Bette." She's a hothouse rose, not a shrinking violet. But on a weekly basis, too much scenery-chewing could make even the "Divine Miss M" wear thin. We'll see how it all plays out. [8 Oct 2000]

[The] pilot ... is cleverly campy enough to rate a revisit. [13 Mar 1994]

There's too much of this jurisdictional stuff and an overload of staring by Gibbs, most of it directed at the coltish Caitlin. The story is fairly involving, though. And Mr. Harmon is an underrated actor who's added some softer touches after playing Gibbs as a humorless taskmaster in a two-part JAG that introduced the character. [23 Sept 2003, p.10E]

Sometimes you just have to know when to stop. Scrubs is still learning. [2 Oct 2001]

King of the Hill walks a fine line between celebrating its characters and making fun of them, between being populist and reactionary. Only time will tell if it can successfully negotiate that line. [12 Jan 1997]

If there's hope, it lies in the original version, which after getting off to a slow start did a wonderful job of distinguishing who was who and made you want to know more about them. Hopefully, Fox and Whedon can find a happy compromise, and the cultists can start their keyboards. [20 Sept 2002]

Amusing in spots. ... Future episodes will have to pick up speed if the series expects to really take off. [28 Mar 1999]

It's not enough to justify a six-hour investment, but the climactic special effects at least are first-rate and fun to watch. "Rose Red" otherwise is just too hilarious at times. Not entirely horrid, it's way short on horror. For shame, Stephen King. Larry King is sometimes scarier than this. [27 Jan 2002]

But as visually sleek and occasionally funny as Birds of Prey starts out, the show will have to get out from under its tangled premise if it's to divert easily wandering attentions. So far, it's difficult to tell where the series might be headed, but there are hints in the premiere. [9 Oct 2002, p.12C]

Boy Meets World isn't as classy as "The Wonder Years" - the opening episode doesn't show much willingness to color outside the lines, which Fred's show often did. But the chances that Boy Meets World will stay around are quite good. [19 Sept 1993, p.9C]

But in an age when the icons are often outwitting the impersonators, Hype will have a hard time not living up to its name. [8 Oct 2000, p.7C]

The hour ends with a ludicrously over-the-top, outside-the-courthouse sequence. A downpour gets musical accompaniment from Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" Then a drenched Lilly's hard-driving countenance is framed in a climactic close-up after other key players in the case look somberly upon the scene. Cleansing? Symbolic? No, just way, way overdone.

If The Apprentice is going to succeed, there has to be more drama. Watching ambitious people do menial tasks isn't entertaining enough. [8 Jan 2004]

Mr. James, whose dirigible build strains at the seams of a dumb-looking deliveryman's outfit, looks as though he could grow into the lead role. But King will be hard-pressed to find an audience of like-minded men. They'll all be watching Monday Night Football. Ain't that a kick in the head. [21 Sept 1998, p.6C]

Toto, we're not in I, Claudius, or even Rome, anymore. The problem, though, is that this Spartacus is so over the top that it begs to be considered as total camp.

The corny, almost maudlin conclusions, coupled with the show's we-are-family, us-against-the-network motif, is too sincere to swallow. [22 Sept 1998, p.4C]