Joshua Alston

Who says there's nothing on? Our critic finds plenty of new material to cure the summertime blues.

A – Italy, B – Sweden, C – Israel, D - India

After 15 years, Liz Phair fights the ghosts of 'Guyville.'

A new life for a TV movie that already had plenty.

Television took the wraps off explicit content this year. Now a new show tries to prove that when it comes to skin, less can be more.

Al Green is busy. He's leading his Memphis church and touring for his album "Lay It Down." He spoke to Joshua Alston. Where are you?I'm in New Orleans doing Jazz Fest.

Statistics show disturbing rates of absent black fathers, but a new book depicts the nuance behind the numbers.

When she works with the right producer, magic happens. When it's a mismatch, watch out—or better yet, just move on.

The kids on 'The Paper' aren't as glam as the ones on 'The Hills,' but that doesn't mean they're less vicious.

The British band Portishead hasn't released an album in 11 years—until now. It was worth the wait.

Craig Ferguson can't beat Dave's or Jay's ratings, but he's got something bigger: a date with the president.

Barack Obama is asking us to talk through our racial problems. But what if that actually works?

Selena was only 23 when she was murdered. But 13 years after her death, the Tejano star is being mourned now more than ever.

If you like family dramas, 'The Tudors' is the best-dressed--and undressed--place on television.

Tracey Ullman just became a citizen. So how does she celebrate? By making fun of her new home.

Minstrelsy may be dead, but white actors playing people of color is still a thorny issue.

It wasn't the most satisfying finale ever, but even a mediocre night in TV's Charm City beats everything else on the dial.

The TV version of "A Raisin in the Sun" is even more affecting than it was onstage.

Omar Little, 34, Armed RobberA charming, cunning shotgun surgeon who made his living robbing drug dealers, Omar Little had an aura of permanence—amazing considering he wasn't a real person, he was a TV character (played by actor Michael K.

'Sex and the City' brought author Candace Bushnell and Darren Star together. Now their competing shows have torn them apart.

Rating the best and worst ads of the Super Bowl.

Clinton and Obama may be breaking new presidential ground, but Hollywood beat them to the top decades ago.

TV's most ambitious, and frustrating, show is back. Fans ask: should I stay or should I go? We give you some clues.

Filmmaker Tyler Perry has built a mini-empire in Hollywood by portraying a certain type of African-American character: articulate, urbane and upwardly mobile.

Scoff all you want. At least the competitors on 'American Gladiator' put up a fair fight.

The Writers Guild may be winning the battles, but its hardball tactics could lose the public opinion war.

Our verdict: Letterman—can't live without 'em; Leno—can't live with 'em; Conan—funny either way.

Unless you're reading this to kill time until Senior Swim at the Y, you're probably not used to tuning into AMC (formerly American Movie Classics). So if you flip past and see a man wearing just white briefs and a gas mask barreling through the desert in a Winnebago, no, your eyes aren't deceiving you, and no, that's not a deleted scene from "The Graduate."It's "Breaking Bad," AMC's new original series premiering in January.

Everyone knows the most memorable scene in the June finale of "The Sopranos." But a close second had to be the outrageous death of Tony Soprano's nemesis Phil Leotardo (Frank Vincent), who was shot twice, then got his head smushed by an SUV.

Our critic catalogs his favorite episodes from his favorite shows of the year.