Blog Entries by Maureen Ryan from 07/2012

'The Newsroom': Women Problems Abound In Aaron Sorkin's HBO Series

| Publication 07.02.2012

It's hard to know what's most infuriating: that MacKenzie is written as though she hasn't even heard of a war zone or that she's presented as alternately hysterical and incompetent.

'Homeland' New Season Details: Producer Talks Carrie and Brody's Past And Future

Publication 07.02.2012

Huge questions hung over the first season of Showtime's "Homeland." Would Marine Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) do the bidding of the terrorist who...

'Homeland' Season 2 Spoilers: Executive Producer On Where Carrie And Brody Will Be, Plus Obama And More

Publication 07.03.2012

What's next for Carrie Mathison and Nicholas Brody, and how will "Homeland" executive producers Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon get them back in each oth...

'Supernatural' Season 8: Hopes For The Winchesters And Fears From The Past

| Publication 07.05.2012

At this point, generally speaking, "Supernatural" seems as tired and run-down as its protagonists ... The most basic things that need to be restored to the show are interesting supporting characters, a sense of hope and a sense of momentum.

'Perception' Review: Thoughts On Eric McCormack's New TNT Show

| Publication 07.06.2012

Eric McCormack brings a fiesty commitment to this relatively unsurprising Super-Smart Curmudgeon role. His energy and the chugging, unflashy competence of the show make "Perception" watchable, if not a must-see detective hour.

'Hit and Miss': Chloe Sevigny Plays A Transgender Killer In This Thoughtful Drama

| Publication 07.10.2012

"Hit and Miss" does a good job of exploring Mia (Chloe Sevigny) as a person while acknowledging her trans status matter-of-factly. I found the two episodes I saw refreshingly thoughtful.

'Dallas': A John Ross and Christopher Showdown (EXCLUSIVE)

Publication 07.11.2012

The arrival of TNT's "Dallas" (Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET) has forcefully reminded me of an important truth: You've got to be flexible in the criteria yo...

'Breaking Bad': Five Reasons It's One Of TV's All-Time Greats

| Publication 07.11.2012

"Breaking Bad's" ability to be so tough on Walt and yet refrain from screechy editorializing or prim, predictable judgment may be its greatest accomplishment.

'Spartacus' Creator Steven DeKnight To Develop Sci-Fi Drama 'Incursion' For Starz

Publication 07.11.2012

Even before Starz announced that the upcoming season of "Spartacus" would be the show's last, fans of the gladiator drama wondered what creator Steven...

'Political Animals' Review: Sigourney Weaver Owns This Delish Washington Soap

| Publication 07.12.2012

You've seen Elaine Barrish Hammond of "Political Animals" before: She's basically Hillary Clinton in a nicer pantsuit. Sigourney Weaver's charisma in the role clearly dominates this well-made souffle.

'Game of Thrones' Season 3 Casting News: 'Office,' 'Avengers' Actors Join The HBO Series

Publication 07.13.2012

Casting rumors about the third season of "Game of Thrones" have been swirling for weeks, and HBO finally put fans out of their speculation misery at C...

'Breaking Bad' Premiere Recap: The Ego Has Landed

| Publication 07.15.2012

That's the scariest thing about this Walter White -- not only is he no longer capable of crises of conscience, he actually thinks he's a stronger and worthier man than he ever was.

Got Any Mo' Questions? Taking Your TV Queries Here!

| Publication 07.16.2012

If you have a question about what airs (or doesn't) on the small screen, submit it here. All sorts of TV-related questions are entertained, from the short to the medium-ish to the philosophical.

'Dallas' On TNT: Baby Mama Drama Sneak Peek (EXCLUSIVE)

Publication 07.17.2012

In last week's episode of "Dallas" (Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on TNT), Rebecca learned that she is pregnant with Christopher Ewing's child. Given that t...

'Political Animals' Premiere Posted Online (VIDEO)

Publication 07.17.2012

If you missed the first episode of USA's "Political Animals," the entire premiere has been posted online. You can watch it here or on Hulu. HuffPo...

'Falling Skies' On TNT: Survivors Face A New Danger (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO)

Publication 07.19.2012

Things go from bad to worse to much, much worse in this week's "Falling Skies" (Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on TNT), which is a gripping hour of television. ...

'Alphas' Premiere Review And Preview Clip: Rosen's In Trouble In Season 2 (VIDEO)

| Publication 07.19.2012

The team may have its own internal squabbles, but they band together to help each other. Let's just hope the Season 2 team responsible for "Alphas" has some special abilities of its own.

'Breaking Bad' Recap: Mike's Terrible Day

| Publication 07.22.2012

Mike made a choice too, and the reason we like this guy is because he's one of the few characters on this show who is not deluding himself.

Fox's Kevin Reilly Gets Stumped

| Publication 07.24.2012

When he was asked by a critic to address the network's unimpressive track record when it comes to hiring women as writers, executive producers and directors on Fox shows, Reilly was flummoxed.

'Smash' Season 2, Ann Curry, 'The Voice' And More Scoop From NBC Executives

Publication 07.24.2012

NBC executives talked about the state of the network at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, and they addressed the futures of "Comm...

'Captain America' Sequel: Winter Soldier' Scoop From Anthony Russo

Publication 07.24.2012

How do you go from directing "Community" to taking on "Captain America"? Why not ask one of the directors of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"? ...

'Community' Without Dan Harmon And 'Animal Practice' Scoop From Anthony Russo

Publication 07.24.2012

How do you go from directing NBC's "Community" to taking on a superstar monkey to directing "Captain America"? Why not ask one of the directors of "Ca...

'Revenge' Season 2 Scoop: New Love Interests, More Secrets And A Return To Summer In The Hamptons

Publication 07.26.2012

ABC announced Thursday that "Revenge" is returning Sun., Sept. 30, and on a visit to the show's stately Grayson Manor set today, cast members and crea...

'Modern Family' Contract Dispute Continues, Network 'Hopeful' For Resolution

Publication 07.27.2012

The standoff between a number of "Modern Family" cast members and their network over contracts continues. At a press event on Friday at the Televis...

'Nashville' Stars Connie Britton And Hayden Panettiere Talk Music, Drama And More

Publication 07.27.2012

Ever since ABC's fall drama "Nashville" started to circulate among members of the media, the Taylor Swift question began to come up. Could Hayden ...