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Tuned In+Television | April 26, 2012

TV Tonight: What Are Parks and Rec’s Politics?

By James Poniewozik

For a big-network sitcom, the show is surprisingly open about dealing with nuts-and-bolts philosophy about government. But besides being sweet and funny, Parks manages to be political without being partisan.

Tuned In
Tuned In+Television | April 25, 2012

David Simon, Blogger

By James Poniewozik
Chris Pizzello / AP

A while ago, there was a controversy in people-who-write-about-TV circles when David Simon, creator of The Wire, complained in a New York Times interview about certain post-Wire coverage that he thought trivialized the show’s messages. (In particular, Grantland’s online bracket to crown the best Wire character ever.) You didn’t read about it here, because while [...]

+Q&A | December 6, 2011

From Baltimore Cop to English Serial Killer

By Megan Gibson
Matt squire / Sundance Channel

Dominic West — Jimmy McNulty on The Wire — plays an infamous murderer in the new film Appropriate Adult.

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Tuned In+Uncategorized | February 17, 2010

Robo-James' Time Machine: When TV Shows Change Their Theme Songs; or, Betrayal!

By James Poniewozik

When I heard the new theme song for Big Love this season, it was like a punch in the gut. In general, I’m not much of a fan of repurposing already-written songs as themes (with exceptions; it worked for The Wire). But I cannot possibly see what Earthly good one can expect it to do [...]

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Tuned In+Uncategorized | December 9, 2009

For That Special (TV-Loving Modernist) Someone This Holiday

By James Poniewozik

A while ago I alerted you to a blog featuring the most awesome minimalist-design TV posters ever. There was enough interest that I thought I should inform you that, just in time for the holidays, the posters are now available for sale. I haven’t seen the product at first hand, so I can’t vouch for [...]