John Doyle

A fabulous, fawning biography by Martin Scorsese ... It's a stunningly beautiful, powerful presentation of Bob Dylan as the one, true American Idol. [26 Sep 2005, p.R2]

It is simply astonishing to find the police procedural as cleverly reinvented as it is in River, and with such wry, poignant force. It is brilliantly done, a little masterpiece of entertainment raised to the level of grave, heartbreaking storytelling.

If the networks keep up this pattern of releasing dreck before the usual start of the TV season, it will have a record number of cancellations by Canadian Thanksgiving. [1 Sept 2004, p.R2]

A better-than-average mob saga that plays out as an epic of family longings, murder and corruption. ... Falcone is no Sopranos, but it's a so-so alternative. [1 Apr 2000]

It is enthralling if your thing is dizzying visuals, rapid-fire dialogue and overblown acting. It's the sort of show that makes people wonder about American network TV. It's empty-headed and flashy, and there's not much going on. It's terrific piffle, fascinating to watch as an example of the state of TV storytelling, even as it only feigns sizzle and sass. [22 Sept 2003, p.R2]

The Guardian is a chilling, state-of-America show, pointedly devoted to the question, "What is a meaningful life?" Simon Baker is galvanizing as the hero, intense and hard to read. This is what he's meant to be, but as to whether The Guardian and this tortured angel of a corporate lawyer will be a hit with viewers, it is impossible to say in these days of war and retribution. [25 Sept 2001, p.R2]

Medium is well-made, slick and, at times, achieves a sense of the macabre. [4 Jan 2005]

Marvellous, goofy fun. [8 Jan 2000]

Joey Tribbiani is, incredibly, even more irritating when he's freed from his friends in New York and moves to L.A. ... Joey is a lame, hollow and utterly unoriginal show. [9 Sep 2004]

As events unfold, they unfold with humour and, sometimes, extreme goofiness. This ain't a typical new TV drama of this season. There are no grim lawyers and cops muttering forensics babble. It's all about the women and their wit. With five juicy roles for women and all five leading ladies in top form, it's a lot of fun. [1 Oct 2004]