ABC's new computer animated Shrek half-hour seems to disqualify itself from the timeless category almost immediately by insisting on being "hip" (which means anti-hip), usually at the expense of feeling real.

The 5th improves on the 4th (or at least the four episodes offered for review do).

Just like old times--make that exactly like old times. Will & Grace is back without missing a beat, or updating one, either.

Any doubts the tube can get graphic enough for today's gore-heads disappear almost instantly with tonight's premiere installment.

After a bumbling 4th — especially with regards to race — "Outlander" is back on track. A familiar one.

It's completely out-there and a lot of fun.

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]

With some of the zip of the original, and some of the heart too.

It's ideal family viewing: Thought-provoking and fun, without one element compromising the other.

Who knew beautiful, obscenely expensive cars could be so much fun? These three guys do, and they effortlessly convey their knowledge and nutty passion.

Its tender moments register without feeling forced while the comedy comes in the form of a constant IV drip.

You can see Halt reach for that something. You can't quite shake the sense that Halt doesn't know what that "something" is.

Let's say Lone Star has its work cut out for it, and so does Wolk. His portrayal is too nice--too romantic, too good-hearted, too bland--to make Allen interesting, or at least convincing.

A work of TV art. ... It's a major, major series - a masterpiece, with great characters. The writing is textured, deep, rich. [26 Apr 1988]

Get beyond the talk, inertia and emotional overload, and there's still some truth and beauty here.

Lacy isn’t overselling her project. "And So It Goes," named for one of Joel's more ruminative songs, may not contain any true bombshells but it delves into Joel’s life in unprecedented detail. Anchored by Lacy’s lengthy interviews with Joel. .... Virtually everyone from Joel’s life — even those carrying painful baggage — shows up to speak.

Dark and thrilling, The Affair returns with a huge wallop--and glorious French star Irène Jacob is in the house.

Fun, lively, imaginative — with a whiff of Disneyfication.

"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]

Masters of Sex just gets better and better.

This Tick moves like a movie, each episode more a chapter in an extended tale than a half-hour payoff.

Slow start Sunday, but the drama's beauty and quality are intact.

For every instance of contestants behaving in a transcendent manner, there are half a dozen demonstrations of pettiness, impatience, anger and jealousy. [5 Sep 2001]

Interesting detours, and a worthy show--but at times just a smidgen too self-righteous and melodramatic.

Some amusing lines, but otherwise a disappointing misfire.

To make Agent Carter work, and work well, Atwell and ABC knew she needed to be a relatable human first, and a subsidiary member of the populous Marvel universe second. Those priorities are straightened out efficiently on Tuesday's episode.

All charm and smarts, the best new NBC comedy in a long time. A winner.

It's a slow burn that can be patience-trying at times, and it's fair to wonder whether there's really enough here to support eight episodes instead of, say, a single movie. But there's confidence to spare and a real sense that the show knows exactly what it intends to be, without compromise. And whenever the pace slows to a crawl, the actors are there to keep you engaged.