The show could turn out to be one of those guilty pleasures like the early years of Dynasty or Melrose Place — a show that's fun because it is so melodramatic and dumb.

The new, two-part movie is definitely worse than the original. It's just not particularly scary. Which is a problem for what's supposed to be a horror film.

There are some fabulous pyrotechnics in the Sci Fi Channel's miniseries Firestarter: Rekindled, but they could have been put to better use. Like incinerating the dreadful script, for which writer Philip Eisner should be burned at the stake. Or, failing that, simply tossing the film footage into the flames and destroying this abomination before it got out and embarrassed everyone involved. With the possible exception of acting and direction so bad they're unintentionally funny, there's absolutely nothing of redeeming value in "Rekindled" whatsoever. [8 March 2002]

But he has created a creepy tale that anyone who enjoys being scared — without being totally grossed out — will enjoy.

Ultimately, "Storm of the Century" becomes rather predictable. [14 Feb 1999]

If Stephen King had written "The Twilight Zone," it would have looked like this. This eight-part anthology — two hourlong episodes each Wednesday for four weeks — adapts eight King stories for TV with pretty good results.

The Tommyknockers' biggest problem is that it's just too long. This would have been a much better movie if it had been cut by at least a quarter - and perhaps as much as a half.

The cast, on the whole, creates believable characters in an unbelievable situation. (Pinchot is the exception - too much of his comic persona leaks through and undermines the maniac he's trying to create.)

If you sit through it, you're not going to be counting the hours until next week's episode.

It's tough for anything to succeed on Saturday night, and this show may be too uneven to hold up for long. But it has possibilities, so let's hope ABC sticks with it for a while.

But this outstanding drama...takes the most horrible of situations and turns it into an intelligent, entertaining, strongly pro-family series.

Falcone, while not perfect, is an engaging series that CBS is running as a miniseries

The Beat is certainly a leap up from most of what UPN airs. [20 March 2000]

Nearly unwatchable -- a dreadful rehash of old sitcom jokes that are, at best, lame and, at worst, offensive.

Quite frankly, it's just about the most unpleasant half hour as NBC has cooked up in quite some time. It's not just that it's not funny -- which it's not -- but Perkins' character in particular and the show in general are just plain unpleasant.

Whether The Others turns out to be a great series remains to be seen. It is, at least, an intriguing one with possibilities.

The best thing to hit TV this season. [1 Apr 1998, p.C1]

Sort of "Back to the Future" by way of "thirtysomething" -- a derivative, annoying drama with a time-travel conceit. [27 Sept 2002, p.C08]

Hurrah for diversity! If only this were a show that was actually worth watching. [19 Sept 2003, p.C01]

It's relatively entertaining, but the content is more than a bit rough for its 7 p.m. time slot.

From the looks of the pilot, it doesn't look like anything to get excited about. [15 Sept 1998]

It's deliciously dumb. [8 Nov 2001, p.C02]

A violent, confusing and ultimately unsatisfying journey to the dark side. [8 Oct 1999, p.C08]

A silly bit of fluff, complete with low-tech special effects and silly sight gags. But that's exactly what it's intended to be. [27 Sept 1996, p.3]

I hate this show...This is an awful, awful show. [24 Sept 2002, p.C08]

Crossing is excellent drama, strongly written and well-acted. The big question, however, is whether it will remain as unremittingly serious as tonight's pilot episode -- which might make it a bit heavy for weekly viewing. [10 Oct 2000, p.C07]

It's all rather dull. Which might be remedied. Maybe. [4 Oct 2003, p.E08]

If all teenage boys think about is sex, sex and more sex, then the producers and writers of "life as we know it" have captured the teenage boy perfectly.

"The Chronicle" is more a goof than a scare. [12 Jul 2001]

Good weird. [3 Aug 1998]

"Dinotopia" is all style and little substance. The effects are good -- especially for TV -- but far too little attention was paid to developing scripts and characters. [27 Nov 2002]

Ritter and Segal are better than their material, but this is the sort of show (like "Home Improvement" or "Full House") that ABC used to do so well. [13 Sep 2002]

"Watching Ellie" isn't a total disaster. Louis-Dreyfus sings really well. [15 Apr 2003]

The Magnificent Seven is sort of an odd mixture of 1990s political correctness and every cliche that's ever been played out in Western movies and TV shows. But, odder still, it all comes together in a rather enjoyable way. [2 Jan 1998]

It's funny, it's cute, it's different ... This is a surprisingly good little show that kids and parents can both enjoy. [27 Sep 1997]

Terrible...Tremors isn't funny, scary or suspenseful. It isn't even one of those shows that's so bad it's fun. It's just bad. [27 Mar 2003, p.C04]

This is lame-brained - if relatively harmless - junk. [20 Sept 1996]

It's all extraordinarily dark and forboding, not to mention violent and convoluted. The art direction and special effects are pretty cool, but it's simply not enough to make for interesting television. [6 Mar 1999, p.E06]

A "comedy" that's not funny, original or in the least bit interesting.[3 June 2005]

There's a lot of good writing and acting here. [1 Dec 2000, p.C10]

Criminal Intent is yet another watchable Law & Order, which has become TV's most popular cop/lawyer show. But does three Law & Orders constitute too many Law & Orders? Maybe. [29 Sept 2001, p.E08]

All all indications are that the new version of Murder One will be just as well done, just as riveting as last year's. In the second episode, there are several unexpected twists and turns that will keep you engrossed in the story. [10 Oct 1996, p.5]

Rescue Me isn't your run-of-the-mill TV drama. It's astonishing in its ability to mix tremendous tragedy with genuinely hilarious comedy. [30 May 2006]

Rescue Me is by no stretch of the imagination a documentary, but a lot of what happens in this series comes from the real lives of real New York firefighters, which is sort of a mixed blessing, given that the behavior of the fictional FDNYers includes drinking, smoking, swearing, womanizing, bigotry and even the occasional bit of thievery. [21 June 2005]

Nip/Tuck could be equally effective as a drama without being anywhere near as graphic as it is. [22 June 2004]

The new series Nip/Tuck is gross, disgusting and vile. And I like it. A lot...If you can get past the ick factor, Nip/Tuck is really a character drama that recalls "Six Feet Under" or "The Shield" -- powerful stuff that's not just gross, it's engrossing. [21 July 2003, p.C08]

George Lopez is a show you can't help but root for because its star is so likeable. And, yes, it would be great to see more ethnic diversity on TV...But while the pilot isn't bad, it isn't all that good. But being likeable and mildly amusing is a start. [22 Mar 2002, p.C08]

It doesn't even look like a TV miniseries -- it's more like 10 theatrical films that do an amazing job re-creating battles. [7 Sept 2001, p.W01]

Without Jenna Elfman, Dharma & Greg wouldn't work at all. But with the goofy charm of Elfman to build around, Dharma & Greg is one of the better new comedies on network television this fall. [24 Sept 1997, p.C01]

The first hour of Smallville looks fabulous. Now it's up to the producers and writers to tell good stories and mount the show as handsomely as the pilot and maintain a bit of mystery around one of the world's most recognizable characters. [15 Oct 2001, p.C06]

Frankly, I just don't get it. ... "Carnivale" feels too much like mystical, mythical nonsense masquerading behind outstanding production values and good acting. [13 Sep 2003]

Even allowing that "Ally McBeal" is sort of a gimmick show, its characters still ring true; much truer than most of the characters on television. [8 Sep 1997]

It's witty - even laugh-out-loud funny in spots - with a good cast and a good premise. [3 Mar 1997]

'The Practice,' while not perfect, is the kind of quality drama that will not only entertain you but make you think - a rare and winning combination. [3 Mar 1997]

If you watched the show with the sound turned down, you might well be blown away. But, as has been an unfortunate trend in non-Muppet Henson productions, most of the effort seems to have gone into making the series look great while giving short shrift to the writing. [12 Mar 1999]

The show is a laugh-out-loud funny, skewed look at the American family that rings surprisingly true. But the pilot goes more than a bit over the top at times. [6 Jan 2000]

Has moments of brilliance. [11 Aug 2005]

The best animated series to hit prime-time television since "The Simpsons". [26 Mar 1999]

"Family Guy" is occasionally quite funny -- but only occasionally. And it's often rather crude -- quite often. ... "Family Guy" does have possibilities. But the writing needs to improve -- it's nowhere near as clever as its producers think it is. [29 Jan 1999]

What emerges is an engaging investigation that viewers will find themselves caught up in. [26 Sep 2002]

The game part of "The Apprentice" isn't bad, as reality shows go. But as for Trump, well, it's sad to see someone who's that desperate to be a TV star no matter how much money he has. [6 Jan 2004]

The two-hour pilot is very good and sets up what would appear to be a good premise for what will inevitably be a long-running series. The show looks good, the supporting cast is attractive and the characters are interesting, and "Enterprise" really does manage to spin what has become a science-fiction staple over the past 35 years in a new, exciting way. [25 Sep 2001]

There are occasional flashes of clever wit, but they're largely lost amidst crude language and crude jokes. [13 Aug 1997]

Certainly one of the more intriguing new shows of the year. [26 Sept 2003, p.C08]

Cherry delivers on his promise to make the show funnier this season. [23 Sep 2006]

There are the sort of soapy goings-on you might expect, but it's done with style and -- most importantly -- wit. This is one very funny show. [1 Oct 2004]

The show rings so true, in a hyper-reality sort of way. [28 Sept 1999, p.C09]

The best so-called "reality" series since "Survivor." ... "Race" is not only exciting but fascinating to look at. [4 Sep 2001]

'Rock' is little more than one big sophomoric sex joke. ... All of this is doubly disappointing because it's such a waste of talent. [9 Jan 1996]

None of this will bother viewers who haven't seen "The Witches of Eastwick." And given that the movie was released in 1987 -- and that the WB's programming is aimed directly at teenagers -- chances are that the lack of originality in Charmed won't hurt the show's chances. [7 Oct 1998]

You may not find a better executed show on television this fall. [29 Sept 2000, p.C07]

It's standard, low-grade, blue-collar sitcom. [7 Oct 2000, p.E08]

It's actually rather confusing and only marginally interesting. [5 Oct 2000, p.C06]

If you watch only one new show this season, watch Ed...It's a dry-witted, hourlong comedy with dramatic undertones. It's sweet, funny, earnest, endearing and entirely charming. It's got a great cast -- particularly the perfectly cast Tom Cavanagh in the title role -- and even better writing. [6 Oct 2000, p.C08]

A wonderful hour that's fresh and funny. [4 Oct 2000, p.C08]

Bateman is a revelation -- the ex-child star is great in this show. The rest of the cast is also very good, the writing is sharp, the humor level is high and it succeeds in creating a different comedy look and style. [31 Oct 2003, p.C08]

Carell doesn't capture the weird charm, the subtlety and the vulnerability -- and the show doesn't have any of those...Frankly, it's sometimes so painful to watch you can just imagine remotes clicking all across the country. [24 Mar 2005]

Oz is well-written, well-acted, well-directed and full of superior production values...I don't like it. It's billed as a realistic look at prison life, and I'm in no position to dispute that ; I've never served time. Oz is certainly graphic, gritty and bleak. It is also unpleasant to watch. Where is the entertainment value in something this unremittingly dark and unpleasant? [12 July 1997, p.C01]

Not that The O.C. is a bad show. It actually shows some promise of being a decent drama that will appeal to Fox's young-skewing audience. [4 Aug 2003, p.C06]

There isn't another half hour like it on network television right now. It's a 30-minute show, but it isn't a sitcom. As a matter of fact, it's at least as much a drama as it is a comedy. It's also one of the best new shows of the season. [22 Sept 1998, p.TV]

Frankly, the first episode of "Six" is not impressive. Discomfiting, certainly, and with sparks of promise, but not exactly compelling. But, somewhat surprisingly, after watching two and three and four more episodes, the show grows on you...Six Feet Under is going to be an acquired taste that some will never acquire.[1 June 2001, p.C08]

A dark, outrageously cynical, cold take on the lives of thoroughly unpleasant people living in present-day Manhattan...What's supposed to be entertainment is wearisome, whiny and annoying. [6 June 1998, p.E07]

Whether Cryer is all of that in real life, I don't know. But I do know that both he and Sheen seem to have found the perfect sitcom roles in "Men." The show is a hoot. [22 Sept 2003, p.C08]

By getting the details so right on something so peculiar and particular as this, The Sopranos actually opens a clear window onto modern incarnations of family and mortality and ambition. [9 Jan 1999, p.E05]

For the first time in a long time, NBC has a new sitcom that really is must-see TV. [2 Oct 2001, p.C08]

One of the most promising new shows of the season...This is not all heavy drama, however. There's a lot of humor and a lot of great characters. Everwood is not unlike Cicely, Alaska, in "Northern Exposure" -- it's a place where the characters are, well, characters. [14 Sept 2002, p.E08]

However, I can't give The Shield an unqualified recommendation given its placement on a basic cable network. There are scenes that make "NYPD Blue" look tame, including nudity, sex scenes, horrific violence and everything short of the f-word in terms of language. It looks like something you'd expect from HBO or a pay-cable channel that you specifically pay for and expect to include adult content. Not a basic cable channel that's next to Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. [12 Mar 2002, p.C08]

And what makes Yost's script even more amazing is that this is not just a show about crime, but it's a show about the characters as well. In the hourlong pilot, we get glimpses into each of their lives and begin to see how who they are affects what they do. [27 Sept 2002, p.C08]

Quite simply, marvelous television. It's touching, charming and believable...The actors are as good as the writing. And Keri Russell, who has the title role, is going to be the break-out star of the season. [27 Sept 1998, p.S03]

Sunday's Alias premiere plays out as a high-energy adventure wrapped in a mystery -- and it's better than a lot of theatrical films of the genre. Whether the series holds up is open to question. But the premiere is a gas. And the show could well turn out to be a good one. [28 Sept 2001, p.C08]

There isn't that much to distinguish it from umpteen shows that have gone before. [15 Nov 2004]

It's all nicely done, if you like this sort of thing. And there are a lot of people who like this sort of thing, judging by the ratings of both "JAG" and "CSI." [23 Sept 2003, p.C08]

In addition to fresh, sharp writing, the casting in Freaks and Geeks is exceptional. [25 Sept 1999, p.E05]

Both intriguing and very iffy. It's all going to depend on how good a job the writers do in making this mystery work over the long haul. If they follow the "X-Files" example of one-step-forward, one-step-back, this could get old quickly. [20 Sept 2002, p.C08]

It's certainly intriguing. It sets a mood that we rarely see in a weekly TV series. Whether it can sustain that mood and keep people interested is the huge task Bromell & Co. have undertaken. Maybe too huge a task.

The events of that Season 3 finale have rebounded to the good of the Season 4 premiere. And Season 4 gets off to a very promising start on Sunday.

With a little bit of effort on your part--The Pillars of the Earth is pretty good viewing. It's the sort of expansive miniseries that we never see on network television anymore.

For the most part, Covert Affairs is harmless fluff, with some nice action scenes. But it seems somehow more fitted for 1970--maybe 1950--than 2010.