John Levesque

Fueled by the rock 'n' roll music of the '60s and using "American Bandstand" as a story component, American Dreams is unabashedly hopeful in spite of enough personal crises to spawn a Party of Five revival.

With a show described as an action-comedy-drama-romance, Glenn Gordon Caron may be setting himself up for failure. But the premiere of "Now and Again" is exactly as advertised: dramatic, funny, poignant, stunning and bold. [24 Sep 1999]

The only sparkle comes from Bosworth, who seems to be aware that "Young Americans" might work better as spoof than as semiserious drama. [12 Jul 2000]

The new Wolf Lake -- we're not talking a retooled pilot here, we're talking a complete makeover -- is the real deal: a five-star train wreck, a line of toxic-waste tank cars jumping the tracks and fouling lakes, rivers and swimming pools for miles around. In a word: stinkaroonie.

Eminently predictable, monumentally derivative. [09 Sep 1996]

"Rose Red" is a rambling wreck of a film, chopped into a three-night miniseries -- six total hours, if you include the commercials, airing Sunday, Monday and Thursday -- for no discernible reason other than that King is apparently being paid by the hour. In fairness, "Rose Red" is the first major project King tackled after being seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver in 1999. But while that may be a good excuse for King's less-than-great screenplay, is there no one at ABC with the authority to ask for a second or third draft?

King, who wrote this directly for the TV screen, not as a novel, is a master of psychological terror, and Storm of the Century delivers plenty, with several fine performances from a huge cast. At the same time, it is not too violent nor too bloody, just a night too long. [12 Feb 1999]

Oh, there are some jump-up-and-grab-the-cat moments, especially in Monday's installment. But, generally speaking, the people who appear on Jerry Springer are scarier than this version of The Shining. [25 Apr 1997]

The prize in this case is complete intellectual engagement. [30 March 2000]

The danger lies down the road, if Titus the creator runs out of real-life fodder for Titus the character. At that point, "Titus" could become a sitcommy caricature of itself. But, in the early going, Titus is on the money when he says, "Anything is funny if the setup is right. [20 March 2000]