Mr. Morrow plays the lead character with no discernible flair or charisma, making even by-the-book Joe Friday seem like Willy Wonka or something. [23 Jan 2005]

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]

This behavior might make for a juicy melodrama if the rest of the characters weren't so predictably earnest. In the pilot, the stakes in a one-on-one showdown turn out to be meaningless, making any emotional investment in the outcome worthless. [23 Sept 2003, p.10E]

Splendidly cast and appealingly off-center, it's a genuine summertime gem. [7 July 2002, p.3]

It all comes together in impressive fashion, with Mr. Bakula primed and ready to take command and keep the faith. [23 Sep 2001]

As well as The Next Generation and better than Deep Space Nine, the new series' two-hour premiere entertainingly balances action/adventure with sociology. [16 Jan 1995]

A first cabin production with superb special effects, an intelligent script and an intricate plot. [5 Jan 1993]

South Park is either the funniest new show on the air or the next sign of the apocalypse. ... When it's not in gross-out mode, and often even when it is, South Park is weaving a surrealist satire of small-town America. [11 Aug 1997]

Beneath the humor, Joan is a dark, daring drama with the guts to explore what God might be thinking. [26 Sept 2003, p.1E]

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]

The season's brightest, darkest new drama. [3 Oct 2004]

Mr. Sandler is not the problem. Undeclared just loses course. Lizzie's long-distance boyfriend (F&G veteran Jason Segel) is OK with the Sandler liaison, but when he finds out later about her night with Steven, the entire episode is given over to slapstick and lazy humor...Now it's time to send the outsiders home and let these kids find their way on their own terms. [25 Sept 2001, p.10C]

The two-part premiere of Popular is inventive, energized and brimming with promise if some of its overwrought moments can be reined in. [29 Sept 1999, p.1C]

The show's global scope, scenery and overall sense of adventure make it a veritable Doctor Zhivago of the [reality] genre compared with most of the swill lately in play. [2 Sep 2001]

The new 24 is off to a more interesting start than its sophomore edition. [27 Oct 2003]

Innovative and compelling. ... The show gets off to a great start in its first highly eventful hour, with Mr. Sutherland excelling in his first TV series role. [4 Nov 2001]

With the silly, overwrought Charmed, the network of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek and Felicity is pushing its luck. [7 Oct 1998, p.1C]

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]

An unfunny formula sitcom with one so-bad-it's-good production number to its credit. [8 Oct 2000, p.7C]

The macho-vigilante ethos of the show quickly grows tiresome. But with scene after scene of the Chief's righteous indignation - uttering lines such as "I don't care how much it costs, people out there are dying" - The District can be silly fun. [7 Oct 2000, p.1C]

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]

If you're looking for signs of intelligent life in the new fall season, Freakylinks is one of a few blips of light in the darkness. [6 Oct 2000, p.4C]

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]

The Trouble With Normal is one of those television shows that makes it hard to believe that the networks ever turn down any idea. The premise of this new ABC sitcom is that people suffering from mental illness are funny...OK, that's stating it a little harshly, but only just a little. [6 Oct 2000, p.4C]

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]

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]

Ed also is graced by Molly Hudson (Lesley Boone), another of his former high school classmates. Chubby and vibrant, she's another winning character in a series that's brimming with them. [8 Oct 2000]

If the season premiere is any sign, Arrested Development is going to be just as wacky as last season. [6 Nov 2004, p.13E]