Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, Tony Danza, Randall Carver, Marilu Henner and Andy Kaufman are a New York cab crew in a sitcom that does produce some genuine comedy.

If the producers can keep the mood spooky, this show will have its devoted adherents. Deservedly so.

On balance it's a good, fun show. But it's not a true standout.

A lovely piece of work. [6 May 2013, p.49]

Girls can still be Girls. [21 Jan 2013]

An entertainingly sinister dip in the cesspool of 19th century criminality. [21 Jan 2013]

The quickened pulse is a plus: The violence registers as sharp, stinging slaps. [11 Dec 2006, p.41]

This version, set in Paris, compensates with an atmosphere of chic rot--they have that over there--an increased body count and an excellent cast. [19 May 2014, p.44]

There's nothing subtle about the physical comedy in the pilot, as Bette visits a cosmetic surgeon and takes a stab at strenuous exercise. But "broad" is a term Midler has always been comfortable with.

At a full, commercial-free hour, this can all start to drag a bit. But L.A. is strongly evoked as a casually sensual backdrop and-thank you!-that awful L Word theme music is gone.

At its best, it's still several strides behind the savage, protean wit of The Simpsons, and the humor sputters when the focus is personal—detailing Sherman's dating woes or his relationship with his son.

[A] smartly crafted show.

The cast plays out the adjustment with the right touch of pleased humor. [4 Oct 2010, p.37]

Taut and stylish.

The talent is good, and on the long road to announcing a top 16, the show expertly milking every drop of pathos. [24 Oct 2011, p.39]

It's always good to see dancing that's dancing and not a montage of repositioned limbs.

The drawback to Catch Fire is that we aren't yet interested enough in the backup characters. For now Pace is reason enough to watch this on whatever TV, laptop or mobile screen you prefer in the digital age. [9 Jun 2014, p.33]

At its best, the show is outrageous and hilarious at once.

It's a much more impressive spectacle than ABC's mindlessly entertaining Empire.

It's more fun than most hidden-camera shows: Kutcher keeps his in-your-face energy from boiling over into obnoxious-ness.

The highlight of the show remains newlywed actress Lana Parrilla, who continues to pepper her Evil Queen with just the right amount of realism to make her deliciously wicked deeds seem justified, but Frozen is just the thing that has gotten Once really moving.

An odd but involving concept--Raging Birds. [14 Mar 2011, p.42]

Like other reality shows, this one has its irritants.

Their white collar cases aren't always riveting but as summer fares goes, hot guys and Manhattan backdrops are a reliably escapist combo. [25 Jun 2012, p.47]

Woods is every bit as entertaining as he strives to be. [25 Sep 2006, p.43]

[Forest Whitaker as Sam Cooper is] an arresting, oblique performance, and it works well amid all the procedural muck. [21 Feb 2011, p.42]

What really matters on Apprentice, though, are the celebs: This season's B- and (let's face it) C-listers are a good, volatile mix. [14 Mar 2011, p.42]

The personality dynamics are fun to watch even if the film turns out not to be.