Both events [Watergate and the Pentagon Papers] are covered extensively in The Newspaperman. There is not a lot new there, but it’s interesting to hear it from Bradlee’s perspective.

The sheer exuberance of Speechless and the unsentimental way it approaches its premise ultimately makes the ABC family comedy likable, funny and even touching.

Girls is essentially a hipster soap opera--occasionally clever or smart--but not as revealing as it led you to believe. This year it might take the step that has been promised since its first season, but maybe not.

Walley-Beckett doesn’t pander nor play down the darker elements in the character’s life. ... James and Thompson are great choices as the Cuthberts, neither of whom display much emotion, yet the veteran actors are quite skilled at revealing the characters’ inner feelings. The real find is McNulty. The young Irish-Canadian actress seems perfect for Anne with honesty in her performance.

Though well-done and watchable, season three of Narcos doesn’t really distinguish itself from a number of other drug-crime stories without Escobar.

The show is fun, through, but kind of lightweight, a nice respite from an intense show like “Breaking Bad” or “The Americans.”

The series has the sophistication of PBS’s “Downton Abbey,” only with more laughs. There is something quite modern about the Durrells without it feeling false.

What sets the comedian apart from her male and female counterparts is that she scores laughs mostly from saying the outrageous so matter-of-fact-ly, even sweetly. Nothing seems out of bounds to her, but she doesn’t go out of her way to find something offensive, either.

Throughout Homegrown, the four of them [The daughter of a victim and the shooter’s brother. And the sister of a young man found guilty of incitement to commit acts of terrorism and a government analyst who helped make the decision that the man was a threat to the U.S.] offer articulate discussions of their situations and feelings, which gives this compelling documentary added impact.

Bosch is a welcome change of pace from the many procedurals on the networks, especially those that overwhelm their stories with technological jargon. Amazon’s 10-epsiode series is perfect to binge on, a long, involving mystery in which the detective still does leg work.

It’s off to a good start.

Surprisingly affecting. ... The series from Peter Farrelly (“Dumb and Dumber,” “There’s Something About Mary”) and Bobby Mort (“The Colbert Report”) has an appealing likeability to it. Mostly, that is thanks to Livingston who always keeps the character real.

[Westworld] impressively returns. ... The series usually hits the mark with strong storytelling that gives you a lot to ponder after the shooting is over. And the performances are outstanding. This year, the females are leading the way. Newton is a joy to watch and Wood shimmers, clearly embracing the new Delores.

Season Four promises some fascinating possibilities. Netflix is determined to keep spoilers under wraps, but we can say there will definitely be surprises, and the show will be graced by the strong presence of tough females.

The series is a wild ride, an old-fashioned Western with a contemporary edge. It carries the sweep and breadth of a grand tale with the larger-than-life ornery characters you expect to find living and dying in that rugged, lonely land.

Don’t expect a lot of out-loud laughs with the series, but it is constantly amusing.

The Looming Tower is compelling television, even as it marches toward its tragic end.

Transparent succeeds most of the time. The cast--led by Tambor--are terrific as usual. This year there are some rich, funny and moving moments, and the series continues to take chances other shows wouldn’t dare.

The series needed someone with the glamor of Stone to be the centerpiece of the mystery, even if she isn’t the largest piece of Mosaic. The series is not the smoothest of fits, but it has enough shiny parts to keep it interesting.

The Beat, Fontana's UPN cop show, won't be mistaken for a good series, but it's better than a lot of the junk polluting UPN's airwaves. Of course, its sophisticated flourishes may just be enough to sail the show over the heads of the netlet's pubescent target audience, and its pandering touches will be enough to alienate more discerning viewers. [21 March 2000]

Clunes and Edwards have a nice rapport, and the rest of the cast is quite solid.... The mystery itself is compelling enough.

The series can be pretty dark, but it’s worth investigating.

The series enjoys deconstructing superhero tropes but in its own offbeat way. You will probably need a few episodes to get into “The Tick, but the first part of the first season builds up nicely. By Episode 6, the series is all powered up.

Stephen King described Black Mirror as “terrifying, funny, intelligent. It’s like the ‘Twilight Zone,’ only rated R.” That’s actually giving it short shrift. ... What makes the series special is how there is always one more twist that you didn’t expect in the same way there is always some implication--usually for ill--in a new invention that we didn’t think of. This new season will only add to the acclaim.

The series has always moved between clever parody and outright silliness, but this year Archer seems to be paying more attention to the plot along with the jokes.

The first few episodes of Love careen from being clever and funny to some intentionally cringeworthy moments. The challenge for the series, which has already been renewed for a second season, is to have Mickey and Gus begin to see the light. Otherwise, the show paints a humorous, if somewhat disquieting, picture of the dating scene in L.A. and is populated by some likable auxiliary characters.

The amount you’ll laugh at Tour de Pharmacy may depend on your tolerance for mockumentaries. This one, like most, is a string of gags. If you’re looking for something undemanding, it qualifies.

It looks like Sutherland has another winner on his hands.