Television

More Heroes for ‘Smallville’

An anniversary episode of the CW show to air Thursday will include additional champions familiar to comic book fans.

Ricardo Montalbán, Star of ‘Fantasy Island,’ Dies at 88

Mr. Montalbán, one of Hollywood’s first Latino leading men, had a long career as a television and movie actor but is perhaps best remembered as the as the debonair concierge of “Fantasy Island.”

Smaller Audience for ‘Idol’ Debut

Just over 30 million viewers tuned in for the season premiere of Fox’s “American Idol” on Tuesday, according to Nielsen’s estimates.

A Dreamgirl at the Super Bowl

Add Jennifer Hudson to the mix of overly ambitious beer commercials, office bets, French onion dip and assorted accouterments that go with America’s favorite sporting event.

Patrick McGoohan, Star of ‘The Prisoner,’ Dies at 80

Mr. McGoohan was a multifaceted actor who spun television legend by creating and starring in the 1960s program “The Prisoner.”

A Series Reappears, if Only for a While

Beginning on Wednesday night the acclaimed psych-ward drama “Wonderland,” canceled nine years ago by ABC, will be shown on DirecTV.

• Video: 'Wonderland'

Two Funny Guys With the Same Name, but Not the Same Jokes

Richard Lewis and Richard Belzer, two old friends with much in common but little overlap within their material, are scheduled for a double bill at Town Hall on Saturday.

Don Galloway, a Familiar Face on Television, Dies at 71

Mr. Galloway played well-groomed, straight-arrow characters in myriad television shows and movies.

A Text Arrives. Oh, It’s Just an ‘Idol’ Ad.

AT&T sent out text messages to 75 million customers -- urging subscribers to tune into the season premier of “American Idol.”

• Bits: AT&T’s ‘Idol’ Message Still Irking Casual Texters

Screen Actors Guild Plans to Take Strike Consent Vote

The Screen Actors Guild appeared determined to go ahead with a strike authorization vote after a group of board members failed in an attempt to oust the union’s lead contract negotiator.

News Outlets Hope to Capitalize on Inauguration

MSNBC will simulcast its coverage in movie theaters and Starbucks stores, and other screenings are being planned across the nation.

Howie Mandel Hospitalized

The actor, comic and game-show host Howie Mandel has been hospitalized in Canada, The Associated Press reported.

Despite ’24,’ Fox Trails CBS Monday Night

Viewers were back for more Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) on Monday as Part 2 of Fox’s seventh-season premiere of “24” remained steady in the ratings.

For ‘Idol,’ More Hope and Less Humiliation

This season the show will devote less time to contestants whose sole purpose in auditioning seemed to be to make fools of themselves.

• Post a Comment

Following That Fast Cash

Niall Ferguson moves at whirlwind speed in “The Ascent of Money,” a somewhat frustrating PBS documentary based on his recent book of the same title.

The Many Faces (and Characters and Silly Jokes) of a Postwar Vaudevillian

“The Best of Red Skelton,” an hour of Skelton sketches and interview snippets, has its premiere on Tuesday on WLIW in New York before national PBS distribution in March.

New Fox Show for Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff will play Kathleen Holtz, the youngest person to ever pass the California bar exam, in a Fox sitcom.

Back in Business, Tears and Thanks Included

At the Golden Globes ceremony, the gowns were strapless and bejeweled, but the mood was business casual.

CBS Pumps Up TV.com to Create a Destination

CBS has redesigned TV.com to showcase new and old television episodes. The site aims to give Hulu, another TV site, a run for its money.

Steven Gilborn, Stage and Television Actor, Dies at 72

Mr. Gilborn was a ubiquitous stage, film and television actor best known for his role as Ellen DeGeneres’s father on the TV sitcom “Ellen” in the 1990s.

Idols, You’ll Have to Pass Through Her

As the new judge on “American Idol,” the feisty, heartfelt and outspoken Kara DioGuardi will have to get comfortable under the pop microscope.

• Times Topics: 'American Idol'

The Four (at Least) Faces of Tara

“How much funny is too funny?” Finding the right tone for a show about personality disorder.

From Serious PBS, a Survey of American Funny

How to approach a history of humor in the United States? Quirkily, of course.

He’s a Good Guy, but He’s Not Very Nice

As the brusque Lt. Frank Ballinger of the Chicago police in “M Squad,” Lee Marvin is possessed of a blithe cockiness that’s enormous fun to watch.

Cheryl Holdridge, a Mouseketeer Known for Her Smile, Dies at 64

Ms. Holdridge was a popular Mouseketeer on the “Mickey Mouse Club” TV show in the 1950s.

The Burden of Interactivity

For consumers, interactive entertainment is an opportunity. For critics, it’s a challenge.

• Post a Comment

Mad Men Coming Back; Will Its Creator, Too?

AMC’s drama will return for its third season this summer, but the network has not yet announced an agreement with Matthew Weiner.

For the Seventh Time, His Country Calls

The hour-by-hour conceit of “24” and its characters are all familiar. The fun is in seeing how the creators will rejigger the pieces this time around.

New Era in Politics, New Focus for ’24’

When “24” begins its seventh season on Sunday with a two-night, four-hour premiere, much will have changed in the world since Jack Bauer was last on the job.

The Show That Put the ‘Real’ in Reality TV

“The Real World: Brooklyn” the latest version of the reality television progenitor that has aired on MTV for 17 years, places its young cast in a loft in Red Hook.

Networks to Usher In Historic Presidency

With less than two weeks to go until a historic presidential inauguration, more television networks than usual are finalizing ambitious coverage plans.

• More Coverage of the Inauguration: The Caucus | Times Topics

Suspenseful Corporate Litigation Returns (if It Ever Left)

“Damages,” a hit in its first season for FX, is back but the intrigue is not as intriguing the second time around.

‘Boo!’: Reality TV Puts on a Fright Wig

“13 Fear Is Real,” a fizzled effort at scaremongering that begins Wednesday on CW, reveals just how badly reality television can go astray when the casting fails to get creative.

Protecting Borders and Other (Not Necessarily) Hot Pursuits

“Homeland Security USA,” an ABC reality series about the men and women who police our borders, is more homage than reportage.

• Video: 'Homeland Security USA'

Better Than the Fall? A Host of TV Series, New and Not

The first few months of 2009 will be rich with new and returning shows.

West Coast Fashionista Takes On Manhattan, Manolos in Tow

The pleasures of the new series “The City” are greater than any attempted in “Bromance,” a completely unwatchable reality show.

In a Rush of Images, a Panoramic View of Indian History

If you like the idea of watching a really good National Geographic article brought to life, you’ll love “The Story of India.”

Who’s This New Who?

The BBC has announced its new Dr. Who: the 26-year-old actor Matt Smith.

She’s Really Shy, but That’s a Secret

Kristen Wiig has emerged as a comic standout on “Saturday Night Live,” using oversize, wacky-yet-true characters to build an audience.