Television

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The Secret Life of Ian Fleming," a telemovie on the man who created James Bond. It stars Jason Connery, the son of Sean Connery, the first 007. And it shows the real-life inspirations for some of the characters who peopled the 007 movies and stories. Bianculli says it's enjoyable if you approach it with the right attitude. It airs over the TNT cable network.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews an episode of "Rescue 911," the CBS series that sends a film crew out on emergency police calls. Their most famous piece of tape yet is the call from Charles Stuart in Boston to say he and his pregnant wife had been shot by a black assailant (this turned out to be a cover up for Stuart, who apparently murdered his wife and shot himself). Bits of the tape have been shown on newscasts, but this is its first full airing on the show.

Actor Timothy Busfield. He plays Elliot Weston on the ABC series, "thirtysomething." (he's the one with the red hair). He also appeared last summer in the movie, "Field of Dreams." Those roles follow a career that included commercials, parts in "Revenge of the Nerds," "Reggie," and "Trapper John M.D." Next week, Busfield is hosting a Lifetime cable special called "Don't Divorce the Children," about the trauma of childhood separation and divorce.

Television critic David Bianculli previews a new ABC docudrama based on the Challenger disaster. It stars Karen Allen, Peter Boyle, and Barry Bostwick. Bianculli says the movie is helped by the limits it keeps.

Television critic David Bianculli previews "The Kennedys of Massachusetts." It's a 6-hour miniseries based on historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's bestseller, "The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys," about America's most prominent political family. The series premieres this Sunday on ABC.

Actress Laurie Metcalf. Metcalf plays Roseanne's sister in the hit TV series. She's appeared in several movies, such as "Uncle Buck," "Making Mr. Right," and "Desperately Seeking Susan," and she plays a cop in the new film "Internal Affairs," starring Richard Gere and Andy Garcia. Metcalf got her start at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater, which she started with John Malkovich and Terry Kinney.

Critic Maureen Corrigan reflects on the television show, "thirtysomething," and how the illness of one of the characters has affected the show.

Television critic David Bianculli previews "Elvis," the new ABC series based on the life of the King of rock and roll. David says you would expect it to be horrible, but it turns out to be pretty good.

Documentary Producer Henry Hampton. In 1987 he produced the prize-winning documentary series on PBS, "Eyes on the Prize." The series documented the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1965. The New York Times' Walter Goodman called the series, "a moving documentary" in which "the nobility of America's civil-rights struggle comes through with the directness and strength of a spiritual." It's sequel, "Eyes on the Prize II," is now being broadcast and covers the movement from 1965 to the 1980s.

Actor Tom Hulce. He was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Mozart in the movie "Amadeus," and for a Golden Globe for his role as brain-damaged garbage man in "Dominick & Eugene." More recently, Hulce played the black-sheep of the family in "Parenthood." Next week, Hulce stars in "Murder in Mississippi," a made-for-TV movie about the freedom summer.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The Noriega Connection." It's the next offering from public television's documentary series, "Frontline."

Actress Elaine Stritch. She appears this week on public television's "American Playhouse" series, starring in Richard Nelson's story of three aging friends. Elaine Stritch is an established Broadway star, who appeared on Broadway in "Company," "Pal Joey," "On Your Toes," and "Bus Stop." She currently stars on Broadway with Jason Roberts in "Love Letters," and she plays Mrs. McGee on "The Cosby Show." (Interview by Sedge Thomson)

Television critic David Bianculli reviews the premiere of a new series to follow this year's Super Bowl on CBS. It's called "Grand Slam," and stars Paul Rodriguez and John Schneider of "Dukes of Hazzard" fame as rival bounty hunters after the same guy.

Actor and Director William H. Macy. He's been associated with playwright and film director David Mamet for over 15 years. He appeared in the original productions of Mamet's American Buffalo and The Water Engine. He's appeared in Mamet's films, "House of Games," and "Things Change." Now he's directing the theatrical debut of Mamet's play, "Squirrels," at the Philadelphia festival of New Plays. One of Macy'S earliest acting roles was in the workshop production of "Squirrels" in the 1970's in Chicago.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews Part 2 of "Eyes on the Prize," the award-winning documentary series on the civil rights movement in America. Part 2 picks up in 1964 where Part 1 left off.

Commentator Laurie Stone has some thoughts about comedian Richard Lewis, standup comic, and star of the show "Anything but Love."

Television critic David Bianculli previews the upcoming animation series by cartoonist Matt Groening. It's called "The Simpsons" and begins on January 14th on the Fox Network.

Charles Solomon is the author of Enchanted Drawings: A History of Animation. His book traces the art form from the magic lantern shows of the 1600's through the silent films of the 1920's to such modern-day phenomena as Roger Rabbit and the California Raisins.

Comedy writer Eddie Gorodetsky. He's written for SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and Late Night with David Letterman. His latest gig is with HBO's newly-launched Comedy Channel, where his job title is "head writer and original programming consultant," but his role is all-encompassing.

Television critic David Bianculli looks at four new TV shows. The only problem, David says, is that three of them are resurrected series.