Interview: 'Sons of Anarchy' creator Kurt Sutter post-mortems season 4
On surprise plot twists, last-second reprieves and other highs and lows of the season
"Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter, in character as Big Otto.
Wednesday night TV open thread
What's everybody watching/enjoying on Wednesdays?
Damon Wayans Jr. and Eliza Coupe on last night's "Happy Endings."
I had some DVR issues last night, and am having some other time and technological issues this morning, so rather than make you wait forever for the usual Wednesday round-up of shows I half-saw before the DVR went rogue on me, I thought this would be as good a time as any to check in and get your take on the Wednesday night landscape.
I've been consistently watching and writing about "Up All Night" plus the 8:30 through 9:30 ABC Wednesday comedies as a bloc, but there's plenty of other interesting stuff on. Every other TV critic I know swears by "Revenge," and I can see how it could have turned out to be a good soap (though that's generally not to my taste). I'm done with "American Horror Story," but I'm sure some of you have things to say about it. "Law & Order: SVU" boss Warren Leight (and former "Lights Out" and "In Treatment" showrunner) was banging the drums for last night's episode with Treat Williams, and of course he's overseen a significant overhaul of the cast (including the great Andre Braugher in a recurring role as a defense lawyer). Fienberg's been exhaustively covering "Survivor" and "The X Factor" on his blog, and there are many dozens of other notable shows I haven't even mentioned yet.
So it's your turn this morning. What are you watching and/or liking on Wednesday nights? And if you just want to weigh in on the specific episodes that aired last night, go for it.
Farewell, Colonel Potter: Harry Morgan dies at 96
Reliable, dignified "M*A*S*H" veteran also was Joe Friday's partner on "Dragnet"
The late Harry Morgan, left, as "M*A*S*H" head honcho Sherman T. Potter.
'The Hour' season 2 will be coming to BBC America
New series will add Peter Capaldi as Bel's new boss
Dominic West and Romola Garai in "The Hour."
When the first season of "The Hour" wrapped up on BBC America back in September, I noted that the BBC had already commissioned a sequel from writer Abi Morgan, but that there was no guarantee the new series would air in America. Now there is, as BBC America has stepped up as co-producer of "The Hour" season 2, to debut sometime next year.
'Sons of Anarchy' - 'To Be, Act 2': House of the rising Son
The season ends in an intriguing place, but takes many silly steps to get there
Roosevelt (Rockmond Dunbar) prepares for a big bust on "Sons of Anarchy."
A review of the "Sons of Anarchy" season finale coming up just as soon as I empty out this duffel bag full of sex toys...
'New Girl' - 'Bad in Bed': The internet is for porn
The show again fails to get laughs out of Jess' sex life
Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Paul (Justin Long) in "New Girl."
A quick review of tonight's "New Girl" coming up just as soon as I tell you my whole plan like a Bond villain...
HitFix First Look: A 'Parks and Recreation' gift-giving dilemma
What can Leslie's friends get her to equal what she gives them?
Rob Lowe and Amy Poehler in a scene from this week's "Parks and Recreation" Christmas episode.
It's Christmas in Pawnee on this week's "Parks and Recreation," in what may be my favorite episode of the season so far. They've done a bunch of episodes that have been insanely funny ("Ron & Tammys," "The Treaty") and many that have been incredibly sweet ("End of the World," last week's "The Trial of Leslie Knope"), but Thursday's "Citizen Knope" comes at you hard with both barrels.
Without giving too much away, the episode deals with what both Leslie and Ben are up to professionally in the wake of what happened at the end of last week's episode, while the rest of her friends and co-workers are struggling with a tricky holiday question: what do you get for the woman who, year after year, gets you the most creative, thoughtful, awesome Christmas presents?
It's an outstanding half-hour, and representative of everything that's made me love "Parks and Rec" so much this year. You'll all get to enjoy it Thursday night at 8:30, but to whet your appetites, here's an early scene - exclusive to HitFix for the evening - from the Christmas gift subplot, as we see just how high a bar Leslie sets in terms of gift-giving. All her selections are fantastic, but April's present is probably my favorite. Enjoy.
Review: BBC America's 'State of Play' the best repeat you'll see all month
John Simm, Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald shine in 2003 journalism/political thriller
David Morrissey and John Simm in "State of Play."
'How I Met Your Mother': How she met your father?
A great Cobie Smulders showcase is undercut by unncessary narrative trickery
Robin (Cobie Smulders) enjoys some un-maternal pursuits on "How I Met Your Mother."
A review of tonight's "How I Met Your Mother" coming up just as soon as I earn the right to put the Vikings helmet on Baby Jesus...
Firewall & Iceberg Podcast, episode 105: 'State of Play,' 'Appropriate Adult,' 'Bag of Bones' & more
Dan and Alan also answer listener mail about 'Dexter,' 'The Walking Dead' and episode titles
We were on the verge of devoting most of this week's Firewall & Iceberg Podcast to my irrational love of unheralded Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert (who has yet to play a game in the NBA, of course) when we put the call out on Twitter for extra listener mail questions, and you guys delivered. Combined with your terrific questions and some stronger material to review this week, it's a pretty eclectic podcast. So thanks!
The line-up:
