John’s top 10 TV shows of 2013
These were my 10 favorite shows of 2013: 1. “Bunheads” (Season 1, ABC Family) — I know “Bunheads” was the best show on TV in 2013 because it appealed to both the heart and the mind. And also because — with its dance numbers that attempted to illustrate the mood of the story — it was a
Noticed by few, ‘The Killing’ has standout 3rd season (TV review)
When AMC’s “The Killing” started three seasons ago, it seemed like a miniseries more than a long-running series. And at its low points during the Rosie Larsen case, it felt like a padded miniseries, as Seattle Police Department detectives Holder and Linden followed red herrings.
First episode impressions: ‘The Killing’ Season 3 (TV review)
“The Killing” (8 p.m. Central Sundays on AMC) returned for its third season — and second case — on Sunday looking as good as ever. With its run-down urbanity, misty woods, drizzly docks and messy dwellings, Veena Sud’s murder mystery series still makes the best use of Vancouver since “The X-Files.”
‘The Killing’ isn’t dead after all! Plus: 9 other resurrected shows (TV commentary)
With the awesome news earlier this week that AMC changed its mind about “The Killing,” which it canceled a few months ago but has now resurrected for a third season (to air later this year), I thought I’d take a look at a few notable resurrected (or un-canceled, if you prefer) series through the years.
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2012
Here are my top 10 TV shows of 2012: 1. “Parenthood” (Season 3-4, NBC) — I hate to have the same No. 1 two years in a row, but “Parenthood” — the only current series where having a Kleenex box nearby is a must — gives me no choice. During the run of “Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood” was “Jason Katims’
Who killed Rosie Larsen? Place your bets now (TV commentary)
Last week’s penultimate episode of “The Killing’s” (8 p.m. Central Sunday on AMC) second season and the “Who killed Rosie Larsen?” arc placed a lot of emphasis on two members of the Richmond campaign as suspects: Gwen and Jamie. But I think that’s a distraction technique by the writers. There are two types of mystery shows: The
John’s 10 favorite TV characters at the moment (Commentary)
The 2011-12 TV season has almost faded to snow and the dust has settled from the cancellation carnage. Looking back, I’d say it was a very good season for characters. That’s why I’m resurrecting my formerly annual top 10 favorite TV characters list.
Ron Swanson: TV’s greatest libertarian character ever? (Commentary)
Since I’m venturing into politics with this post (which will eventually be about television), I’ll admit my bias up front: I’ll be voting for the Libertarian Party ticket of Johnson-Gray in November. But I think anyone who’s been paying attention knows that the growing distrust of Big Government, Big Spending and Big War is the noteworthy political
First episode impressions: ‘The Killing’ Season 2 (TV review)
“The Killing” (8 p.m. Central Sundays on AMC) continued to unfold like a great page-turner in its two-hour Season 2 premiere on Sunday, delivering a lot of new surprises and questions but most importantly providing the “Whew!” revelation we were all hoping for: Detective Holder (Joel Kinnaman) isn’t a bad guy after all.
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2011
For me, this was the year of “What’s going to happen next?” Who killed Rosie Larsen? Will Emily get revenge? How long can Bridget fool people into thinking she’s Siobhan? What would you do in a zombie apocalypse? And … how is Amber going to pay the rent? While many of the best plots of