Like the frequently audacious comic strip that gave it life, "The Boondocks" doesn't mess around.

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.

Rescue Me has also created wonderful, layered roles for women, including Andrea Roth ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") as Tommy's estranged wife, Janet, and Tatum O'Neal as temperamental sister Maggie Gavin...Plus, such impressive actresses as Susan Sarandon and Marisa Tomei have signed on for roles as recurring characters this season. [30 May 2006, p.1]

Thanks to sleek production values, a generally top-notch cast and an absorbing overall story that smartly mixes explosive action with quieter moments of sinister intrigue, The Company delivers a refreshingly solid jolt of summertime Big Event drama.

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

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

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

"The West Wing" was more vivid, original and compelling than "Commander in Chief" is likely to become. But impressive Geena Davis and the Oval Office gender twist are indeed refreshing.

Despite its almost giddily provocative tone and the hanky-panky tunnel vision of its teenage protagonists, "life as we know it" displays some real promise with refreshing twists of wit, imagination and an offbeat style. [7 Oct 2004]

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

Tell those Tinseltown pixies to go grab that big jar of cosmic stardust off the shelf. The magic show biz thing is happening again. [29 Sept 1998, p.1D]

Yeah, sounds sappy. But it's just the opposite -- a charming mix of rambunctious wit, honest emotion and interesting characters. Lots of smarts and a generous heart. A winner. [16 Sept 2002]

Besides the nifty, repressed romantic dynamic between Brennan and Booth, "Bones" has some fun with snazzy hologram visualizations of the murder victims in each case.

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]

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

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]

Has some genuinely funny moments despite its laugh track and conventional sitcom framework.

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]

Welcome to Smallville. Check your cynicism at the city limits. [16 Oct 2001, p.6E]

It's styled as a sort of laid-back Gen X updating of "thirtysomething," replacing that show's neuroses-fueled, East Coast edge with a more casual, lighthearted California vibe.

Although it's not quite as much smart, trashy fun as "Rome," it is still an engaging romp that moves along at a stylish pace.

"Sleeper Cell" works as a smart, sharply styled thriller about a very serious subject.

On a simple quality drama level, it's the best network miniseries in several years.

Smart, well- written, lots of potential. [3 Mar 1997]

A terrific series pilot that gives off little echoes of everything from "GoodFellas" to "The Departed."

The gracefully gonzo result is funny and affecting, and sometimes it is downright insightful. Good grief. [1 June 2001, p.1E]

It's headed in the right direction ... fast, loose and fun.

With fun, familiar faces like Field, Flockhart and Griffiths on board, attending a family reunion with the Walkers every Sunday could be a lively, entertaining way to end the weekend.