David Bianculli

TCM's ambitious 14-hour series showcases the work of female filmmakers from around the globe, and provides hundreds of examples of both artistic and technical achievement.

Critic David Bianculli offers an appreciation of the influential HBO drama. Plus, we listen back to archival interviews with series creator David Chase and Edie Falco, who played Carmela Soprano.

Critic David Bianculli remembers the debut, 70 years ago this month, of two variety shows — one hosted by Berle, the other by Sullivan — that showcased the powerful impact of television.

Bochco, who died Sunday, created numerous series, including Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue. TV Critic David Bianculli looks back on Bochco's impact, then we listen to his 1989 Fresh Air interview.

Fifty years ago Monday, when Fred Rogers showed up on national public television as the host of what then was a brand new children's show called Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, TV was a lot different. PBS wasn't even a network then — not by that name, anyway — and aside from CBS, NBC and ABC, there were only a few independent local channels to watch, if that.

Even though, like other critics DAVID BIANCULLI wasn't given a preview of Curb Your Enthusiasm's return, he's celebrating the show with a retrospective.

Tom and Dick Smothers came to CBS in 1967 not really intending to lead or support a revolution. They just got caught up in it — and they happened to have a network program "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", with some 30 million viewers, on which they criticized the war in Vietnam, celebrated rock 'n' roll music and satirized politics and politicians.

Moore, who died Wed. at the age of 80, played a single professional woman on the 1970s show named after her, aand became beloved for her portrayal of a housewife on The Dick Van Dyke Show. TV critic David Bianculli has an appreciation

David Bianculli offers an appreciation of Tinker, who died last month. Also, we listen to a Fresh Air interview with Tinker from 1994, and an interview with Tinker's wife, Mary Tyler Moore, from 1995.

Critic David Bianculli says the commentary, questioning and ridicule of Jon Stewart, Larry Wilmore, John Oliver and Bill Maher help keep news outlets — and news-makers — honest.