Shameless Review: “Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)” (5×12)
This has been a sort of formless, shapeless season, and it has in “Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher)” a finale to match. And yet this episode achieves a sort of formal grace, a specificity of vision, that I wish had been more present in the season as a whole. It’s like a tone…
2015 Emmy Predictions: Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Like its drama counterpart, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series is a crowded field this year. Three-time winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) returning to the race, overdue industry and fan favorite Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), and veteran actresses Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) co-starring in a new Netflix (which is red-hot at…
Penny Dreadful Review: “Night Work” (Pilot)
Penny Dreadful has been a show shrouded in as much mystery as its storyline. All we had to go off of was its name. A penny dreadful was a work of fiction that was usually written in an extremely graphic fashion that was released over a course of a few weeks, costing a penny. Whatever…
Scandal Review: “Put A Ring On It” (4×17)
Love is a complete sham in the world of Scandal. Or at least that’s the takeaway of “Put A Ring On It,” which, despite this rather bleak worldview, manages to be a thoroughly enjoyable time, and which even wrests from the wreckage of all these romances something vaguely resembling a happy ending. This is an…
Off-Broadway Review: “The Lion”
The writer and star of The Lion, Benjamin Scheuer, enters the stage of the Lynn Redgrave Theatre with a mane of wild, tussled hair. He sits and sings a song about a toy banjo his father made for him. With his pleasant face and the intimate atmosphere, you may think you’re in for a sweet sort…
The Walking Dead Review: “Conquer” (5×16)
You should be very happy you don't live with me or next door to me, because my shouts of “Morgaaaaan!” at the opening of last night’s season finale of the “The Walking Dead” were probably heard down the block. After small teases here and there, Lennie James’ Morgan returned to the series with a tense…
Track Review: “Fairly Local” – Twenty One Pilots
"Fairly Local" and the music video are perfect compliments to what I believe Twenty One Pilots' new album is going to be. Dark, unsettling, and just what the band needs. First of all, let me quickly profess my love for Twenty One Pilots. I've been following them since the independent release of their self titled, seen…
Album Review: Swervedriver – “I Wasn’t Born to Lose You”
Swervedriver is one of those bands that emerged during the early 90's when the shoegaze craze was at its peak. Although almost no one knows about them as they were shadowed by the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Ride, they released some critically-acclaimed stuff in their prime. Mezcal Head was the first album I heard from them and everything in…
Scandal Review: “It’s Good to Be Kink” (4×16)
About halfway through this week’s Scandal I came to a realization that surprised me for a couple of reasons. It’s never been clearer than with “It’s Good to Be Kink” that Scandal is having real trouble balancing the fallout of Olivia’s kidnapping with its desire to return to business as usual. And I never really…
Broadway Spring Preview
Spring is often the busiest time of year for Broadway. This spring sees a bevy of new musicals, Off-Broadway transfers, demonic puppets, and British royalty. Performers gracing New York's stages include legends (Chita Rivera), newcomers (Vanessa Hudgens), and mainstays in classic roles (Kelli O'Hara). March also ushers in Tony Awards season. Every show wants to open…