Television

Randy Jackson performs with members of Journey at the 1987 Bay Area Music Awards.

Farewell To Randy Jackson, An Example Of All That Ails 'American Idol'

7:09pm November 12, 2014

by Eric Deggans

As founding judge Randy Jackson announces his departure from American Idol, NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says he embodies all that's wrong with a pioneering show that's become a pop culture cliche.

Actress Who Played Mrs. Wolowitz On 'Big Bang Theory' Dies At 62

3:08pm November 12, 2014

by Doreen McCallister

Carol Ann Susi died Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer, according to her agent Pam Ellis-Evenas. Susi played Howard Wolowitz's mom, Debbie, on the CBS hit The Big Bang Theory.

"The guy" (Ben Sinclair, left) delivers pot to two clients played by Tanisha Long and William Jackson Harper.

Arts

Despite The Dope, 'High Maintenance' Is About More Than Potheads

11:40am November 12, 2014

by Elizabeth Blair

Vimeo's first foray into original Web TV follows a nameless pot delivery dude who engages in oddly intimate business transactions.

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Scottish actor David Tennant stars as a grizzled detective in the BBC's Broadchurch and also the new American adaptation, Gracepoint.

Arts

A Crime Drama Crosses The Atlantic And Detective David Tennant Is On The Case

6:24pm November 11, 2014

by NPR Staff

Tennant stars as the same grizzled detective in BBC's Broadchurch and FOX's Gracepoint. It was "too unusual an opportunity to turn down," he says.

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Sgt. Jeffords (Terry Crews, L), Capt. Holt (Andre Braugher, C) and Det. Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz, R) try and figure out why Amy is late in Sunday night's Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Arts

'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Hits A Home Run With The Stupendous Andre Braugher

8:41am November 10, 2014

by Linda Holmes

Sunday night's Brooklyn Nine-Nine gave star Andre Braugher a moment of pure comedic joy-genius.

Screen grab from the teaser for the Discovery Channel's Eaten Alive.

Science

Discovery's Man-Swallowing Snake Stunt Stretches Credulity

12:13pm November 09, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The channel promises to air an episode featuring a man in a protective suit who is swallowed alive by a giant green anaconda.

Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman star in the BBC series Doctor Who.

Arts

As A New 'Doctor Who' Season Ends, Have Its Stories Matched The Hero?

8:21pm November 07, 2014

by Eric Deggans

Britain's Doctor Who series finishes its first season with new hero Peter Capaldi on Saturday. TV critic Eric Deggans says Capaldi's portrayal of the Doctor is often better than the stories he's in.

A new Manhattan studio joins YouTube Spaces in London, Tokyo and Los Angeles. Media analysts say YouTube hopes content produced there will ultimately get viewers to stay longer on the site.

Beyond Cat Videos: YouTube Bets On Production Studio 'Playgrounds'

8:18pm November 06, 2014

by Carol Zimmer

The online video giant has just opened a gleaming new production studio in Manhattan. It's part of an effort to attract new viewers — and ultimately compete with companies like Netflix and Hulu.

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Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan greets supporters on election night in Anchorage. The as-yet-undecided race between Sullivan and Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Begich was the hottest in the state.

Alaska Station Sets Dubious Record: Most Senate Campaign Ads

5:51pm November 06, 2014

by Peter Overby

The Center for Public Integrity calculates that KTUU in Anchorage ran more U.S. Senate ads this cycle than any station in the country.

Eliza Coupe as Nina and Jay Harrington as Phil in USA's Benched.

Arts

Documents, Not Institutions: On 'Benched' And Not Sweating The Future

9:42am November 06, 2014

by Linda Holmes

A solid new USA comedy serves as a reminder that it's important to support the things you like, whether they're odds-on blockbuster favorites or not.