Note: The columns below include several from Ed’s year-end series The Top 25 Shows of 2015.
“The Bold and the Beautiful” Explores an Especially Timely Issue
A touching and truthful story about a transgender character played out on the venerable daytime drama at the same time that Caitlyn Jenner’s transition played out in the media.
The "Polbuzz" is Building: PBS' "Poldark" is a Summer Sensation
A best in show emerged from television’s busiest summer ever. The distinction may have struck some as improbable during the season in which popcorn entertainment generally rules.
The Top Shows of 2015, No. 16: Starz' "Outlander," HBO's "Game of Thrones"
The fan base for Starz’ lush adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling Outlander novels proved in terms of knowledgeable enthusiasm and supportive ferocity to be second only to that for HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”
Pepsi on "Empire": Coolest. Sponsor. Integration. Ever.
Pepsi’s sponsorship of Fox’s hit primetime serial “Empire” became virtually DVR-proof for several episodes while also evoking that long-ago era of television when advertisers were integral to the presentation and content of programming.
"AGT" Presents One of the Most Amazing Things You Will Ever See on Any Screen
NBC’s summer hit “America’s Got Talent” has offered up countless impressive acts during its decade-long run … but there was one during the most recent season that may have topped them all.
The Top 25 of 2015, No. 23: The 52nd Anniversary of "General Hospital"
This venerable soap opera didn’t have a very good year… but the episode that marked the show’s 52nd anniversary was a stunning marvel unlike anything ever seen in daytime drama.
Discovery's "Naked & Afraid," VH1's "Dating Naked": The Bare Facts
Much like “Magic Mike XXL,” “Naked & Afraid XL” brought back the folks who stripped down and wowed their audience the first time around. “Dating Naked” was hot, too.
The Top 25 Shows of 2015, No. 18: "The Bold and the Beautiful"
In the year of Transgender TV the most surprising transgender drama of all played out on CBS’ sterling, always sizzling soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
The Top 25 Shows of 2015, No. 5: USA's "Mr. Robot" and Lifetime's "UnREAL"
Both shows debuted last summer on basic cable networks absent any significant expectation or anticipation, at least on the part of the press, and they were both identified immediately as being among the best new series of the year.