An instant cult classic will be born when The Tick arrives at 8:30 tonight on Fox, a rambunctiously clever human cartoon rarin' to tickle your funnybone with unhinged satiric glee. [8 Nov 2001, p.4G]

With its sharp writing, wonderful cast and wacko spirit, Reaper is one helluva good time.

"The Nine" unfolds with an abundance of emotion-charged imagination.

An instant chucklehead classic.

The lavishly beguiling historical drama is pumped up on passion, wit and the majestic fire of Helen Mirren's thrilling performance as one of history's most intriguing rulers.

Make no mistake, Dharma & Greg has been built for Elfman's coming out party as a high-voltage comic lollapalooza. And she doesn't disappoint. She's one very likable and amusing looney tune. [24 Sept 1997, p.6C]

Despite an excellent cast, Milch's knockout writing and McShane's hypnotically toxic villain, Deadwood conjures up one very brutal wild west purgatory punctuated by misery, anger, lust, greed, violent death and all those outrageously naughty words. Happy trails. [19 Mar 2004, p.4E]

The miniseries is occasionally overwhelmed by its own lavish size and sweep. ... But there are compelling moments and strong performances to be enjoyed. [3 Apr 1998, p.1D]

The ensemble cast, including David Oyelowo, Edward Woodward ("The Equalizer") and Janet McTeer, is first rate. A winner.

The real charm of the series is in its exceptional writing and fine ensemble acting. If you like "Taxi," you should certainly enjoy Cheers. [30 Sep 1982, p.65]

Crichton ... has infused "E.R." with a contemporary, darkly humorous believability. [18 Sep 1994]

One of the fall season's most purely enjoyable new series is also one of the very best. [1 Oct 2004]

No, the thrill isn't gone. "24" remains a wild 'n' crazy roller-coaster ride.

Though it's extremely well done, The Wire lacks the signature HBO kick of discovering something brand new, that giddy feeling of freshness that immediately attached itself to "The Sopranos" and "Six Feet Under." With The Wire, there's a less-exciting echo: Same old, same old. Been there, done that. [31 May 2002]

As '24' quickly revs up the anxiety and action on the new season, the show is still flashing its taut, characteristic strengths: distinctive real time storytelling, tighten-the-vise tension, compelling split-screen visuals and sudden, sometimes shocking, outbursts of violence. All of it pushed at a dazzling pace and built around Sutherland's grim, courageous antihero with the hair-trigger volatility. [7 Jan 2005]

It's a fascinating, leap of faith start. [26 Sept 2003, p.8E]

A wonderfully relaxed, off-the-wall comedy series that has more spunk and imagination than almost any new network sitcom you're likely to surf on by this fall. [10 Sept 1997, p.5C]

A comedy anchored in the flawed, deeply genuine humanity of its characters often delivers the rollicking natural high of laughter.

The smartly told stories of first-year coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, "King Kong") and his Dillon High School Panthers are packed with gritty style and heartfelt emotion.

A richly entertaining winner, a saga that both stirs the emotions and whips up vivid outbursts of satisfying, varmint-vanquishing action.

Brimming with cockeyed echoes of everything from "Raising Arizona" to "King of the Hill," NBC's best new comedy since "Seinfeld" is that rare chucklehead treat: it's both wildly irreverent and blessed with a cheerful, endearingly upbeat nature.

With wit and intelligence, they transform what might have been little more than high concept hokum into a clever, evocative mix of sci-fi, suspense and raging teenybopera hormones. [6 Oct 1999, p.1E]

Dexter is... one of the most compelling new characters on TV.

As a witty social history viewed through the tempestuous prism of office and sexual politics, Mad Men is big fun ... classy entertainment with a brain.

The doctors of Chicago Hope Hospital, a gleaming surgical palace with all the cutting- edge gizmos, tend to pontificate. [18 Sep 1994]

They are not ordinary cab drivers, and Taxi is more than just a time filler between "Three's Company" and "Starsky and Hutch." It promises a lot and then delivers it all. [12 Sep 1978, p.26]

Aliens in America delivers the laughs. It's one of the most enjoyable members of this fall's freshman class.

The stylish, fast-moving series premiere is filled with surprising twists, witty repartee and some revved-up, well-choreographed action sequences. But the real star of Alias is, well, the star: athletic Jennifer Garner, who portrays Sydney with intelligence and graceful, hard-bodied charisma. [29 Sept 2001]