Mr. Know-It-All can be rather irritating. [20 Sept 2002]

Like any over-the-top, conspiracy-laced concept, "Prison Break" will only work if viewers are giddily enticed to jump aboard the Willing Suspension of Disbelief Express.

A taut new crime drama that's happily more than the sum of its generic crime procedural parts. [13 Jun 2005]

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

A clever new animated series.

Despite the presence of a capable cast of bumbling Robin Hood wanna-bes... "The Knights of Prosperity" quickly devolves into tepid, overwrought whimsy and struggles to sustain its premise.

One tasty comic treat.

The writing and comic sensibility are fresh and unpredictable. [23 Aug 1998, p.1L]

Of course, it helps immensely that Christopher Titus's flamboyantly roguish father, Ken, is portrayed with genuine rascal charisma by Stacy Keach. An actor known mostly for his dramatic roles, Keach's exuberant comic performance is a cockeyed revelation. He could easily become the show's break-out personality. [19 March 2000, p.1L]

"The Sarah Silverman Program" is not for everyone. But if you've chuckled along to the rascals on "South Park" -- or if you thought "Borat" was one hilarious movie -- then chances are you'll get some perverse jollies with Sarah Silverman's latest venture.

Lewis is terrific. But his brazenly loopy lawman may not be to everyone's offbeat crime drama tastes.

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

Raucous, bawdily good-natured. [14 Aug 2005]

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.

The sex scenes -- yes, there's plenty of bare skin and rising erotic temperatures -- alternate between sensitive and slightly cheesy, a la "Red Shoe Diaries." [16 Jan 2004, p.6H]

And you don't have to be a sci-fi fanatic to get a kick out of Firefly, which brandishes playful bits of Whedon's signature wit and snappy repartee. [20 Sept 2002]

Queer as Folk is good. But it isn't shockingly good. However, it is Showtime's best original series yet. [1 Dec 2000, p.1C]

What may appear at first glance to be a cheap reality TV gimmick... soon evolves into something quite compelling.

"Eureka" is clever paranormal escapism that sometimes teeters on the edge of whimsical excess. But that doesn't mean you won't find plenty of affable, oddball entertainment.

Moonlighting is in desperate need of a chemistry lesson. [03 Mar 1985, p.3C]

You don't have to be a lonely teenager to relate. [18 Jan 1998, p.6G]

An offbeat treat worth rooting for.

It's uneven in spots, with the riveting action sequences sometimes overshadowing the more subdued domestic scenes. But unlike the often gratingly shallow "JAG," "The Unit" allows for ambiguity.

Though Doherty's return to prime time is only occasionally bewitching, Charmed, on first encounter, isn't without promise. [7 Oct 1998, p.5G]

Slick, mindlessly entertaining. [24 March 2000]

Like Zuiker's first two installments of the series, "CSI: NY" is well made and well cast. But there's also something coldly understated and ordinary about it as well. [22 Sep 2004]

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]

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]