The shows of summer – from ‘Fargo’ to ‘Garfunkel and Oates’ (TV commentary)

In this age of hook-laden, high-concept summer TV shows, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. “Fargo” (FX) maintained its momentum all the way through its first season, culminating in Tom Hanks’ son satisfyingly blowing away Billy Bob Thornton’s almost parodically vile Lorne Malvo. And it looks like “The Strain” (9 p.m. Central Sundays, FX) is in

First episode impressions: ‘24: Live Another Day’ (TV review)

“24: Live Another Day” (8 p.m. Central Mondays on Fox) comes along four years after the eighth season, but Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub slip back into their iconic characters of Jack Bauer and Chloe O’Brian like a glove. Although this ninth season – which will be 12 episodes instead of 24, although it’ll apparently

Fond farewell: ‘24’ (TV review)

“24” (7 p.m. Central Monday on Fox, two hours) On air: 2001-10, eight seasons Why it was great: When it was clicking, nothing on TV was more suspenseful. We saw split screens, instant cell-phone communications, information at analysts’ fingertips and highways and streets that always opened up for CTU vehicles. Those could all turn into hoary clichés with

Uh oh, ‘24’ is back to its old (stupid) tricks (TV commentary)

Chloe is put in charge of CTU; Renee and Jack have sex less than an hour after Jack found President Hassan dead; Hassan’s widow agrees to take over as IRK president; the Russians pull out of the peace talks, blatantly suggesting that they have hidden motives; President Taylor goes to criminal ex-President Charles Logan for

With an electromagnetic pulse bang, ‘24’ is back among TV’s elite dramas (Commentary)

If it were a sports team rather than a TV show, no one would have predicted “24’s” resurgence. When a team struggles, there are generally two options: rebuild with young players or sign good players from other teams. But without changing its writing roster or its formula a whole lot for Season 8, “24” (8 p.m. Central Mondays

‘24’ Season 8 starts tonight. Is there reason for optimism? (TV commentary)

“24” Season 8 starts with a two-hour premiere at 8 Central tonight (another two-hour block follows at 7 p.m. Central Monday). I haven’t been this NOT excited about a new season of “24” since the series began. The previews could be clips from previous seasons for all I know; that’s how much they have all blended

‘24’ TV show could learn something from ‘24’ novels (Book commentary)

You know, when I watch “24,” I usually make fun of it, and I don’t get any satisfaction from doing that. But it’s different from other downhill-progressing shows, because every season represents a completely fresh start. Because each season is a single day, “24” Season 8 (set for a January launch on Fox) wouldn’t have to reference