Robert Rorke

The new HBO comedy “Run” is one of those high concept, “What if?” shows that doesn’t quite hang together. It’s not that the talent isn’t there. Boldface names — several Emmy award winners — abound, but the energy they bring to the screen doesn’t stop the show from running out of steam by Episode 3.

The shifting tones and conflicting storytelling severely limit any chance for this series to thrill you, let alone keep your attention.

“The Sinner” continues to intrigue and keep us guessing. Much of the success of this season’s story has to do with some smart casting. ... [Bill Pullman is] the engaging center of this entertaining puzzle.

“Lone Star,” starring Rob Lowe, has more modest ambitions and delivers far less exciting results [than “9-1-1.”]

While the show bears similarities to all of its procedural predecessors, Wolf and longtime “Law & Order” collaborator Rene Balcer have built a more promising foundation here by casting better actors than ordinarily found on these pedestrian dramas.

That shiny Golden Globe will buy her some time to find her voice but, right now, her show is only fitfully amusing.

Even if the political message was less trenchant than the one presented on “All in the Family,” the actors did a better job of conveying the established family dynamics without resorting to the mugging displayed by Harrelson. Amos’ surprise guest appearance also sweetned the pot. The only weak link was Jay Pharaoh in Jimmie “J.J.” Walker’s role of James Evans Jr. Walker is a hard act to follow.

The writers could have had some fun with the prospect of the Buchmans facing each other in mid-life, but instead they lurch from empty-nest gags to menopause jokes.

Stiff of spine and thin of voice, this Elizabeth (played by Oscar winner Olivia Colman) may make you long for the incandescent Claire Foy ... The history lessons check some necessary boxes — Churchill (John Lithgow) goes to his eternal reward in Episode 1 — but also resurrect delicious bits that may have been forgotten. ... With an ever-present cigarette holder and air of hangover chic, Margaret is a free spirit trapped by the rules of the palace, and her contrast with Elizabeth is something Morgan returns to again and again with striking results.

Fantasy junkies may be able to get by on this grade-B stimulant until the next great visionary show comes along, but right now the second-season renewal (before premiere) for “Carnival Row” seems extremely rash.