Lon Grahnke

The result is a chaotic debut that's high on energy, antics and sight gags and low on plausible situations and clever writing. [25 Aug 1993, p.39]

ABC will force King fans to wait until Thursday to witness the loud, bloody resolution of The Shining and see the author in a cameo role as a dapper bandleader. King sets a slow tempo. Too much stalling dulls the impact. [25 Apr 1997, p.51]

It's tempting to laugh at King's transfixed New Englanders, submitting passively to mind control via sensory stimulation - until one realizes that millions of us will be glued to the tube for two nights, under the spell of a shamelessly contrived television program. [7 May 1993, p.65]

Writer-director Tom Holland, whose films include "Child's Play" and "Fright Night," keeps the tension pulsing and pounding through most of the four-hour freakout. [12 May 1995, p.57]

Series Has Laughs, Thrills. [22 March 1995, p.49]

Given the superior production values, sharp direction, convincing acting, exciting visual effects and powerful storytelling displayed so far [through four episodes], I anticipate a miniseries that will deliver its promise of greatness. [3 Apr 1998, p.47]

Babylon 5 promises to be a welcome addition to the ever-expanding sci-fi universe. [24 Jan 1994, p.31]

Teri Hatcher is an irresistible dynamo as Lane, a reckless, career-driven loner. [9 Sept 1993, p.49]

Springfield is too delicate to accept as a borderline nut case with highly developed martial-arts skills. The slender Australian looks and moves like a snotty waiter at a trendy restaurant. [20 July 1992, p.27]

Charming. [27 Sept 1996, p.47]

The "TekWar" special effects are good by TV standards, but Tuesday's scene-setting story won't engross the deeper sci-fi thinkers in the audience. "TekWar" is aimed at the action faction, and it delivers plenty of chases, shootouts and explosions. [24 Jan 1994]

With its strong emphasis on family values, religious faith, personal growth and enrichment through education, "Christy" should please parents who seek quality programs with positive messages. [1 Apr 1994]

A wholesome family saga loaded with positive role models, the NBC series turns what could have been a 1993 version of "The Last Picture Show" into an idealized fantasy about an inspirational "local legend" who revitalizes a losing team that was "the pride of Texas" 20 years ago. [1 Oct 1993]

Anderson, a charming performer with a naturally dry wit, portrays the daydreaming, guitar-strumming Dave as well as he can be played. [20 Sept 1993, p.29]

Combines explosive, stylized violence with stinging social commentary and surgical strokes of sharp media satire. [17 Mar 1994]

Biehn's terse, tightly coiled performance and stirring music from Elmer Bernstein's original 1960 score enhance the "Magnificent" mystique. [2 Jan 1998]

"Easy" does it with sex, violence and pungent humor. It's hot and spicy, if that's your taste. [9 Aug 1996, p.51]

Reggie doesn't need gunshots or explosions when she can talk her foes to death. [15 Sept 1995, p.53]

A captivating actress known for offbeat comic roles in "Designing Women," "Love & War" and "Texasville," Potts forcefully redefines the character of inspirational teacher Louanne Johnson in ABC's improved version of Dangerous Minds. [30 Sept 1996, p.39]

Blanchard was witless and charmless in the original -- and so far unaired -- pilot program. But her performance as pampered Cher has improved in "As If a Girl's Reach Should Exceed Her Grasp,' tonight's debut episode. [20 Sept 1996, p.39]

Silly misadventures. [9 Sept 1996, p.39]

With so-so special effects, mediocre writing and a shrug-it-off performance by lead actor T.W. King, Timecop will tick off Van Damme fans and science-fiction highbrows. CBS, NBC and Fox should clean ABC's clock at 7 p.m. Mondays. [22 Sept 1997, p.37]

Wilson's charisma should attract viewers. [13 Jan 1997, p.31]

Anthony LaPaglia makes a strong entrance as gritty James Wyler. [10 Oct 1996, p.47]

Steven Bochco's daring legal serial is the most exciting and innovative new drama since "ER." It's a fictional variation of the O. J. Simpson trial.

With its cross-culture conflicts, bright writing, amusing co-stars and sizzling chemistry between the two leads, Dharma & Greg could be television's best romantic comedy since "Mad About You." [24 Sept 1997, p.53]

Taking the sitcom-shrink genre beyond "Frasier" and "The Bob Newhart Show," Comedy Central's "Dr. Katz" enters the hip, surreal realm of "The Simpsons." [27 May 1995]

An instantly engaging show that seamlessly delivers stimulating dramatic situations and juicy romantic comedy. [8 Sep 1997]