David Brent, brilliantly conceived and played by Gervais, remains among the most wonderfully annoying characters in modern TV comedy. [12 Oct 2003]

Flockhart... is a compelling presence, and the tone of the writing is both fun and thoughtful. [7 Sep 1997]

Problematic. ... The captivating McDermott as a defense attorney needs tougher characters to bump up against if he is to struggle meaningfully with his inner self. [2 Mar 1997]

The series remains smarter and funnier than most anything on television. ... But be forewarned: the 'Sopranos' season starts slowly and a bit unevenly. [4 Mar 2001]

Viewers should expect a bit of exposition before the series shifts into high gear. By the third episode, bada bing, it's off and running. [13 Jan 2000]

Prepare for top-notch dramatic writing, exceptional camera work and complex characters. [27 Oct 1996]

One of the best series anywhere. [8 Jun 2003]

The obsession with appearances and materialism - from cars to houses to Botox to breast implants - makes "Housewives" a case study for everything that is shallow and pathetic about our society. Of course, that's also what makes it so entertaining. [20 Mar 2006]

A good concept in need of nurturing. [20 Mar 1995]

Innovative camera work and occasional sound effects throughout add distinctive elements to the series. [9 Jan 2000]

Funny - barely - in an uncomfortable, theatrical way, some moments feel like performance art or improv exercises, albeit with nice title sequences. [14 Aug 2005]

Fans will enjoy picking out the many sight gags and puns in the dense, multilayered animation. But, on first viewing, and unlike "The Simpsons," the "Futurama" pilot isn't fall-off-the-couch funny. [25 Mar 1999]

The crew-cut and heavy black glasses are more memorable than the series. [13 Sep 1995]

Darker than "Desperate Housewives," and even less nuanced. [11 Aug 2005]

Thanks to Sedgwick, the hour is a distinguished contribution to the cop genre, delving further into a character's personal life than the "Law & Order" procedurals, and avoiding the showy visual effects that are high points of the "CSI" brand. [13 Jun 2005]

Outrageous. ... Thanks to inspired editing, it all hangs together. [14 Jul 2003]

The first three hours leave us thirsting for more.

Trump's narrative skills are as grating as his accent, but the hook is undeniable: With peeks into The Donald's penthouse, boardroom, helicopter, limo and his taste in hiring and firing, this debut has solid entertainment value. [8 Jan 2004]

The first four episodes supplied to critics are engaging, but especially in the aftermath of his passing, the shadow of James Gandolfini is, sadly, everywhere.

Rampling brings her primly authoritative presence and a stern look to the task. Her scenes with Hall crackle with tension.

Scott Bakula as Capt. Jonathan Archer is not as commanding a figure as some past captains. But his inexperience suits the prequel's tone. [26 Sep 2001]

Not only is it creepy, suspenseful and full of splendid special effects, veteran actors and fresh young faces, but it's laced with big thoughts about environmentalism and the future of the planet.

We know the body convulsing on the floor of the grand foyer isn't really being electrocuted. And yet we get sucked into the suspense and the gore as the players express fear, anxiety and tearful protests against being the next to die. ABC's amalgam of drama, murder mystery, parlor game and elimination competition for money is a curious mishmash.

Now the novelty is wearing off, and the hour is edging toward vapidity. ... The story is too rooted in convention to be truly outrageous, too melodramatic to make it plausible as anything but goofy comedy. How long do we need to play along? [13 Oct 2005]

As the lead character, actor Kevin James has a certain something. We just hope it's not contagious. [21 Sept 1998, p.G-05]

CBS may have the most appealing nonscripted hour of the fall. [4 Sep 2001]

Long before Sept. 11, the standout of the fall TV season was an ambitious thriller about a counter-terrorist. ... It's even more captivating now that terrorist threats are a daily fact of life. [4 Nov 2001]

Will delight those who know a bit about the star-making machinery. It will tickle sports fans and entertain anyone in search of a decent adult comedy. [7 Aug 1996, p.G01]