Monthly Archives: March 2011

Now What?: Advance Screeners in the Digital Age

Advance Screeners in the Digital Age March 31st, 2011 It is hardly a secret that television critics often receive advance screeners of popular television programs: after all, the role of the traditional critic has been to produce pre-air reviews of … Continue reading

21 Comments

Filed under TV Criticism

Season Premiere: United States of Tara – “…youwillnotwin…”

“…youwillnotwin…” March 28th, 2011 When United States of Tara entered its second season, the Gregson family thought that everything had changed: Tara had defeated her alters through the use of medication, and the entire family was ready to move forward … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under United States of Tara

Season Finale: Shameless – “Father Frank, Full of Grace”

“Father Frank, Full of Grace” March 27th, 2011 By the conclusion of its first season, I would argue that Showtime’s Shameless found something of an identity independent of its British predecessor. This is not to say that the show is … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Shameless

Mildred vs. The Miniseries: Structure and Scheduling in HBO’s Mildred Pierce

Structure and Scheduling in HBO’s Mildred Pierce March 27th, 2011 The front cover of the press kit sent to critics for HBO’s Mildred Pierce suggests that Kate Winslet is Mildred Pierce in a five-part Miniseries. The inside cover, meanwhile, touts … Continue reading

11 Comments

Filed under Mildred Pierce

Community – “Critical Film Studies”

“Critical Film Studies” March 24th, 2011 As Jeff Winger finds himself reenacting My Dinner with Andre with his friend Abed, who it seems has transformed himself overnight in a bid to relate better with society, he has a fairly violent … Continue reading

10 Comments

Filed under Community

Parks and Recreation – “Camping”

“Camping” March 24th, 2011 Let’s get this out of the way, folks – this was an average episode of Parks and Recreation. This does not mean it was terrible, nor does it mean it did not have its moments. And … Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Parks and Recreation

Fringe – “Bloodline”

“Bloodline” March 25th, 2011 The greatest test of a critic’s demeanor towards a particular program is how they respond to its renewal. When Fringe was picked up on Thursday, there were two primary responses among critics. The first was excitement: … Continue reading

5 Comments

Filed under Fringe

Justified – “Save My Love”

“Save My Love” March 23rd, 2011 I only recently caught up with FX’s Justified – after reviewing the premiere, I actually hadn’t seen a single episode, unable to find the time on Wednesday night to check in on what has … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Justified

Season (Series?) Finale: Skins – “Eura/Everyone”

“Eura/Everyone” March 21st, 2011 “Is that why I’m here? To tell stories?” In reviewing last week’s penultimate episode of MTV’s Skins, “Tara,” at The A.V. Club, I sort of offered my general take on the show thus far: while it … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Skins

How I Met Your Mother – “Legendaddy”

“Legendaddy” March 21st, 2011 There is something hypocritical about the status of Barney Stinson as a character within How I Met Your Mother. On the one hand, he is the character who will change the least: because of his popularity, … Continue reading

5 Comments

Filed under How I Met Your Mother