David Bianculli
David Bianculli is a guest host and TV critic on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. A contributor to the show since its inception, he has been a TV critic since 1975.
From 1993 to 2007, Bianculli was a TV critic for the New York Daily News.
Bianculli has written four books: The Platinum Age Of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific (2016); Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (Simon & Schuster/Touchstone, 2009); Teleliteracy: Taking Television Seriously (1992); and Dictionary of Teleliteracy (1996).
A professor of TV and film at Rowan University, Bianculli is also the founder and editor of the website, TVWorthWatching.com.
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Though broadcast TV didn't impress him much this year, critic David Bianculli says Better Call Saul and a number of other shows from cable and streaming services made 2015 a great year for viewers. -
Critic David Bianculli says A Very Murray Christmas, directed by Sofia Coppola, is "an unexpectedly tender little TV jewel from the man who built his early career on being a wisecracking cynic." -
TV critic David Bianculli shares his enthusiasm for two newly released DVD box sets: season one of Better Call Saul and a four-DVD set of the 1970s PBS variety show, The Great American Dream Machine.
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The Man in the High Castle, a new Amazon Prime series set in 1962, takes place in an America occupied by German and Japanese forces. Critic David Bianculli calls the show "breathtakingly original." -
Despite the popularity of streaming services, DVD box sets continue to be released, and embraced, by serious fans and collectors. TV critic David Bianculli details four recent releases he treasures.
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In the new series, Melissa Benoist's Supergirl is overshadowed by her boss, played by Calista Flockhart. David Bianculli asks: "Shouldn't the most interesting character in Supergirl be ... Supergirl?" -
The FX-drama series Fargo begins its second season Monday with a new story and cast. TV critic David Bianculli says the new season is full of charm, and "ridiculously loaded" with great performances.
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FX's American Horror Story returns for season five this week. TV critic David Bianculli says this season, which is set in a lavish old hotel, is "the most visually arresting and twisted one yet." -
Last night, seven weeks after Jon Stewart stepped down as the host of The Daily Show, the new host debuted. Critic David Bianculli says Trevor Noah "gave viewers plenty of reasons to tune in again."
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TV critic David Bianculli reflects on the Emmy ceremony held last night and looks ahead at the new fall TV season. If you only catch one new show this year, Bianculli recommends The Muppets on ABC.
