Cheap humor? Yes. Based on obvious stereotypes? Yes. Funny? What can I say? Borat got a chuckle out of me. And so did Bruno. [21 Feb 2003, p.B47]

My fear is that the show may be too Alaska. TV is not ready yet for Nanook of the North, even if he has a New York accent. [10 July 1990, p.9]

Terrifically hard to love, but some superb performances indicate that at least it's worth the effort to try.

The writing is intelligent, wittily playing off our knowledge of the Superman lore, and the production values are on par with top-quality fantasy / sci-fi shows like "The X-Files."...Smallville is the most purely enjoyable dramatic series of the new season. Like Clark, this baby's destined to fly. [16 Oct 2001, p.B27]

The complex impact of the crime--and of its investigation, news coverage and town reaction--is the real story here, laid out in the decidedly ordinary faces and raw silent spaces that British drama delivers so well.

Even if we are being taken for a ride, there's so much to savor on this trip. [12 Sep 2003]

The writing is occasionally sharp and observational, but the first episode relied too often on smarmy, anatomically based humor. [19 Apr 1990, p.9]

It's cheeky parody/homage, exhibiting affection for comic books and other pulpy amusements, while maintaining such a zippy pace, there's no time to consider whether it hangs together. Or whether that matters. (Great voice cast, though.)

Walk out on academic underemployment, say goodbye to nosy neighbors and move to a better series. [24 Sept 1993, p.95]

The Writers' Room winds up more anecdotal than explanatory. Heavily edited/compressed, it makes for a breezy half-hour if not necessarily revelatory disclosure, at least in the three episodes sent for review.

What's special is something a bit harder to define, notably the chemistry, which Montgomery and Walsh have in abundance. The supporting cast is excellent, too.

Whether it's Brent's starry-eyed foppishness, Dawn's artistic daydreams or Gareth's organizational stiffness, these are characters we don't see on American TV. They're not accomplished, clever or distinctive. But they're so well-observed, and so subtly personified, that it's as if we're finding amusement in people we know. [21 Oct 2004]

Larry David is obnoxious in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" but very funny. Gervais' David is just obnoxious. ... It's the sort of comedy that only certain people can get, like the way dogs can hear sounds human can't. I'm ashamed to say, I couldn't take it more than one dinner hour. [19 Oct 2003]

"Dr. Katz" is a very funny show. [4 Dec 1995]

The material is high in laugh content, but sometimes the handy wonders of animation tempt the makers of "Dr. Katz" to illustrate jokes unnecessarily. [28 May 1995]

Some of the sketches... have a surprising depth and richness. [5 Oct 1992]

Something is missing in "Woops!," besides a second joke. ... It could have been the funniest show in the world, if there was a nuclear war, really, and this was the only one show left. "Woops!" is moronic on so many levels. [5 Oct 1992]

Heretofore, I have never thought of Candice Bergen as a major comedienne like Andrea Martin or Catherine O'Hara. But I like her as Murphy Brown. She has the addictive personality of the character she plays, and can grow on you. [14 Nov 1988]

"Just Shoot Me" is Moliere compared to "Suddenly Susan" and producer Brillstein-Grey's other hit, "The Naked Truth." The writing is sharper, the targets in the worlds of fashion, journalism and TV news are hit more frequently, and it is funnier. [10 Mar 1997]

Shatner has never been funnier - on purpose or inadvertently. [1 Oct 2004]

Watching the first couple of episodes once again I am marveling at how good the show really is. [16 Jan 2000]

If there were an Emmy for most great moments per hour, "The Wire" would deserve it. [17 Sep 2004]

Be forewarned that opener is dense, quick- moving and largely absent the sort of explanatory dialogue that dramatic series typically use to ensure that we have our bearings. Even viewers who savored each installment of the original series may feel disoriented. Newcomers may feel as though they're watching a foreign-language film without subtitles. My advice is to videotape it, re-watch and have faith. The coherence quotient goes up by the hour, and patience will be rewarded. [30 May 2003]

Opens promisingly with a storyline that sets up a compelling premise for a serial adventure ... [but] is so visually arresting that the humanoid characters are upstaged. [14 Mar 1999]

A well-produced film that is ultimately more painful than conclusive.

Probably the best comedy series on television. ... "The Larry Sanders Show" offers the sharpest of television's multitudinous media jokes while always remaining grounded as a comedy rooted in character. [16 Jul 1995]

It is even better - if that is possible, and it is. Take my word. We are talking true comedic masterpieces here. [20 Jun 1994]

For all its redundancy, however, the latest "CSI" is stronger than "Miami" and could eventually rival the original. Credit the two primary stars, Sinise and the city. [22 Sep 2004]

Something's amiss here. The new "CSI" is a little stilted, a little obvious. [23 Sep 2002]

We expect sharp writing from Caron. "Medium" is almost too glib at times. What makes the suspension of disbelief easy is the casting. [3 Jan 2005]

Boo Boo is critic-proof. Call it vulgar, call it schlock, call it a cup of flatulence, call it whatever you like. But John Waters called it first: America loves its trash culture, smells and all.

A wildly funny family sitcom. ... I am in love with all of them after the first half hour. [5 Jan 2000]

Even for sitcoms, "Sunny" is often a vile, twisted beast that crosses the line of acceptable taste. But it can also be highly amusing, and the addition of DeVito and Archer does nothing to diminish that. [29 Jun 2006]

Lacks the hard, uncomfortable edges of [FX's also premiering] "Starved," but it's clear this show wants and intends to do a little damage, too. [4 Aug 2005]

Gorgeous to look at. [25 Mar 1999]

If he wanted to be a tiresome, name- dropping, motormouth, obnoxious boor, he is more than successful. But why? [20 Jun 2001]

As a law show, "McBeal" is not as good as "The Practice." It has a lot of unrealistic, implausible, even surrealistic law. What it does well is show the compassionate, human side of the law profession, outside the courtroom. [9 Feb 1998]

We know damn well it's not the same show as it was in the old days. ... I will even admit some of the shows are pretty bad this year. But when they hit one out of the ballpark, it's a thing of beauty. [3 Dec 1997]

"Buffy" is the best show of the year about kids in high school, with the most refreshingly original dialogue and pop cultural references. [17 Nov 1997]

It's somewhere between a small and a big bust. [24 Sep 1997]

There is an engaging sleaziness about "The Practice" that makes it special. [7 Apr 1997]

In the beginning, I thought it was well done, marvelously quirky and creepy, beautifully photographed, extraordinarily moody and well acted. But I can't imagine a reason to watch another episode. [27 Oct 1996]

The best new drama of the season, the only one of the 44 new shows that could join "Law & Order," "Homicide," "NYPD Blue," "Murder One" in the pantheon of quality shows. [11 Oct 1996]

"Ink" is not the worse thing I've seen this year. But was it worth the long wait? I don't think so. [21 Oct 1996]

"NYPD Blue" is no longer cutting-edge TV. ... It has become a soap. [14 Oct 1996]

"Spin City" doesn't have a good joke, other than Michael J. Fox. He has to carry the show himself. He has to be what makes you laugh. In the first three episodes he is not funny, he is cute. [7 Oct 1996]

It's one of those prehistoric kind of shows that is heartwarming and wholesome, that made me chuckle with the family and even cry. [26 Aug 1996]

The writing is witty, the acting wonderful, the production values superb. It's a little cornball and musty, but, hey, that's what comes from authenticity. And "Remember WENN" above all is fun - at least for anyone who knew radio when. [10 Jan 1996]

It is a brilliantly written and played comedy with sharp repartee and genuine laughs. [31 Aug 1995]

The first case in this innovative series is terrific. [18 Sep 1995]

It's not insulting to the intelligence. The first episode is promising and mildly, if not wildly, amusing. What it has going for it more than the laugh track is good writing and performances. [21 Sep 1995]

Much better than the second season, happily. [12 Jun 1995]

Kind of silly. [11 May 1995]

It's too sitcommy ... But I still love the concept of "NewsRadio." ... And most importantly for the future, "NewsRadio" has some strong people in the supporting cast. [20 Mar 1995]

"The Critic" is still not for everybody. That's what I love about it. [5 Mar 1995]

Well written, well produced and well acted. [02 Jan 1995, p.B41]

The best new show of the year. [28 Dec 1994]

A socially responsible, heartwarming, beautifully made, written and acted series. [8 Sep 1994]

The trouble with "Friends" is that Cox is not strong enough as a comedian. [5 Sep 1994]

Holzman's writing is brilliant. [25 Aug 1994]

A smart, sophisticated and often hysterically funny adult cartoon. [17 Mar 1994]

The show is doomed, knowing the Nielsen families' love of vapid, meaningless, unsocial comedy. But that shouldn't bother anybody interested in seeing how good and funny a rich, socially meaningful and useful comedy can be. [2 Sep 1993]

It is so good, so unbelievable, I can't believe anything was that good on TV last year. And it's going to be even better this year, as it continues doing these shows about nothing. [16 Sep 1993]

It's OK, but not great. [20 Sep 1993]

A brilliantly written, funny triumph for Butler, who could become the new Roseanne. [30 Sep 1993]

It's a warm, powerful, 90 minutes, slow and moving and wonderful as the 37 previous episodes - and a satisfying conclusion. [11 Oct 1993]

Another masterpiece of a thriller. [11 Feb 1993]

Fabulous, a truly stunning grab-you-by-the-throat TV experience. [11 Feb 1993]

With the mix of bizarre cases and believably goofy characters, I found already I never wanted the show to end. It's great stuff working on three levels at once. [17 Sep 1992]

Watching one espiode was an experience less enjoyable than hangin' by the thumbs. [27 Aug 1992]

It has a strange, surreal quality. I usually like strange. But this is strange strange ... Actually come to think of it, "On the Air" may be the most stupid thing I've ever seen. [18 Jun 1992]

I liked it. But not enough to watch it again. [9 Jul 1992]

When it was first on, I could see how good and admirable an effort they were making in blending the onstage and private lives of a comic, but basically I didn't care that much about it. But it's gotten better and better. By this year it's the one network comedy show that consistently impresses me and that I keep watching just for enjoyment. [19 Mar 1992]

"I'll Fly Away" is a drama of substance, a big subject, a show about real people with great acting, great writing and strong emotion. [7 Oct 1991]

It's hard to believe that anybody could make such a ludicrous police drama after "Hill Street Blues." [30 Sep 1991]

The show is sweet, gentle, sad around the edges. I really love it. [19 Sep 1991]

What comes out of Herman's head is the most imaginative, innovative comedy on TV since "Dream On". [5 Sep 1991]

The show is textured like a play. The characters, as they say in the theater, are fully realized. It's incredibly well-acted. [5 Sep 1991]

"Doctor, Doctor" can be hysterically, outrageously funny. [13 Jun 1991]

It's just as good as I remembered. Even better, if that's possible. [8 Apr 1991]

There are minor flaws in the comedy. But by the second episode on Monday if you don't love Blossom Russo you're a confirmed teenagerophobe. Mayim Bialik is adorable and a winner. Even a curmudgeon like myself likes "Blossom." [3 Jan 1991]

The writing and the story look and sound different. Even when nothing happens, it's different TV. [6 Nov 1990]

I don't like safe TV. I admire anyone who tries to experiment. But "Cop Rock" doesn't work. [25 Sep 1990]

What bothers me about "Evening Shade" is the lack of humor. [20 Sep 1990]

A patchwork quilt of a documentary that becomes totally mesmerizing and hypnotic. [24 Sep 1990]

It's the old school of ridiculous sitcoms at its worst. [10 Sep 1990]

Lacks the sharper edge of Hughes' movie. [23 Aug 1990]

A real loser. [23 Aug 1990]

"Alien Nation" as a series has been a remarkable achievement in the dullest fall season in history. It is both entertaining, socially responsible, and significant. [7 May 1990]

It's stunning for a TV mystery. It's actually mysterious. The mood, the characters, the surreal quality of how the story is told, are something different. It has a slow hypnotic movement, a style like a boxer in slo-mo. It hit me with tremendous energy and made me abandon despair at the state of TV mysteries. [5 Apr 1990]

This second season has been marvelous. Now it's absolutely brilliant. [27 Nov 1989]

What a wasted childhood my kids have had, I got to thinking while watching this otherwise normal Doogie Howser. It makes you look at your kids differently. What lazy bums they must be, still in high school at 16. [19 Sep 1989]

It's the old opposites-attract story, and it turns out not to be the soppiness you'd imagine. [14 Sep 1989]

My favorite new American TV sitcom of the year, a show that I want to spend every week with. [11 Apr 1989]

The most wonderful show this year. ... The writing is only one of the miracles taking place in "The Wonder Years." What is so great about the show, and so different, is the conception of the kid and the acting by Fred Savage. [25 Dec 1988]

"Thirtysomething" was the best new drama last season, and it gets better with every episode. [13 Dec 1988]

I like the old "Star Trek" better than the new. I also think the new show is somewhat boring and derivative. ... The new "Star Trek" tries to make the characters "realistic," and they turn out to be unbreakably plastic. [3 Jun 1988]

Had something special about it from the start: the mood, the writing, the acting. All the great series establish a mis-en-scene, a special environment that you can cut with a knife. I felt I was in a different place watching "Wiseguy." [30 May 1988]