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Daniel Fienberg

Chief Television Critic

More from Daniel Fienberg

‘Better Call Saul’: Vince Gilligan on Writing and Directing His Final Episode

'Breaking Bad' creator and 'Better Call Saul' co-creator Vince Gilligan discusses the joys of directing Carol Burnett, the challenges of black-and-white and Gene/Jimmy/Saul's big decision as we head toward the series finale.

Despite ‘Yellowstone’ Snub, Popularity Is a Priority at the Emmys

Over the past decade, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has struggled to inject more populism into the Oscars. Solutions, which haven’t impacted a steady audience decline, have included expanding the number of best picture nominees and floating the idea of a “popular film” category, eventually settling this year for a glorified Twitter […]

‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ Review: Mike Judge’s Teen Trolls Return for a Giggle-Worthy Paramount+ Series

The TV-loving juvenile delinquents are back on the small screen for the first time since 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe' in June with their new regular series.

Critic’s Notebook: Is Late Night on the Verge of a Diversity Downgrade?

With 'Desus & Mero' and Samantha Bee canceled — and James Corden’s slot up for grabs — late night is at a crucial representational crossroads, THR's chief TV critic writes.

‘Reservation Dogs’ Review: Season 2 of Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi’s FX/Hulu Comedy Is a Triumph

The Oklahoma-set Indigenous comedy returns with new episodes that are full of heart, laughter, occasional tears and distinctive coming-of-age misadventures.

How Big Casts Clog the Emmys Race

One of the most frequent jokes that isn’t really a joke is that when it comes to various Hollywood movie and TV awards, industry folks like to vote for people they’ve worked with before. Were that true, the legendarily interconnected Kevin Bacon would have all of the trophies. But among the nominations for the 74th […]

‘Paper Girls’ Review: Amazon Series Never Finds Its Sci-Fi Groove but Excels at Preteen Dynamics

Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang's Image Comics series is adapted for the streamer with a blend of time travel, youthful adventure and nostalgia that's sure to spark comparisons to 'Stranger Things.'

‘Surface’ Review: Gugu Mbatha-Raw Outshines the Bland Drama in Apple TV+’s Uninvolving Thriller Series

Reese Witherspoon produced this eight-hour drama featuring Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a woman with amnesia and a growing suspicion that her past isn't what people are claiming.

‘Keep Breathing’ Review: Melissa Barrera Can’t Save Netflix’s Sketchy Survival Drama

Melissa Barrera plays a Manhattan lawyer forced to fend for herself in the Canadian wilderness in Netflix's one-woman limited series take on 'Yellowjackets.'

‘The Bear’ Co-Showrunner on How FX/Hulu Cooked Up the Series of Summer

If there’s a show of the summer, it’s FX dramedy The Bear. Joanna Calo, whose credits include BoJack Horseman, The Baby-Sitter’s Club and Hacks, recently joined TV’s Top 5 podcast hosts Lesley Goldberg and Daniel Fienberg to discuss FX/Hulu’s culinary dark comedy The Bear. The series, created by co-showrunner Christopher Storer (Ramy), was developed as a film before being […]

‘Better Call Saul’ Director Michelle MacLaren on “Icon” Carol Burnett and Visiting Gene From Omaha

Michelle MacLaren, who has directed pivotal episodes of both 'Better Call Saul' and 'Breaking Bad,' discusses returning to New Mexico for one more opportunity to work with Bob Odenkirk and the episode's very special guest star in 'Nippy.'

Critic’s Notebook: Showtime’s ‘Desus & Mero’ Is Gone Way Too Soon

THR's chief TV critic laments the premature passing of one of his favorite late-night shows.