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Ryan Seacrest

Seacrest Assembles TV Empire

By BRIAN STELTER

Ryan Seacrest, the host of “American Idol,” is also working more behind the scenes as he tries to build an entertainment empire.

Television Review | 'American Experience: Jesse Owens'

An Olympic Champion, a Symbol and an Awkward Partner With Fame

By MIKE HALE

“Jesse Owens,” an “American Experience” documentary on PBS, fills in some of the gaps in the life of this black Olympic track gold-medalist.

Television Review | ‘Uprising: Hip Hop and the L.A. Riots’

Reliving Days (and Lyrics) When No One Got Along

By JON CARAMANICA

The documentary “Uprising,” on VH1, posits that hip-hop foretold the events of the 1992 Los Angeles riots and that it continued to reference them afterward.

April 30, 2012

'Mad Men' Watch: Mother Issues and a Proposal (of Sorts)

Wayward grandmothers and contentious mothers marked Sunday's installment of "Mad Men." It was a tableau of disillusionment.

April 30, 2012

'Good Wife' Watch: Is This the End of Lockhart Gardner?

In the finale of Season 3 of "The Good Wife," the firm's survival, Kalinda's safety and Alicia's happiness are all in play.

April 27, 2012

Is Kim Kardashian the Equal of Paul McCartney? Only on '30 Rock'

East Coast viewers of the "30 Rock" live episode on Thursday were treated to a surprise appearance by Paul McCartney, while audiences on the West Coast got someone else.

More Television News in ArtsBeat »

Sidebar

A Word Heard Often, Except at the Supreme Court

By ADAM LIPTAK

The justices do not want to hear the most versatile of the Anglo-Saxon swear words even when the case before them turns on it.

From left, Bethenny Frankel in 2010, Tori Spelling this month and Jessica Simpson in January.

The Baby Bump

By JACOB BERNSTEIN

For celebrities whose film and TV careers have stalled, motherhood is proving a lucrative Plan B.

Slide Show

Talk | Garry Marshall

The Shark Jumper

By ANDREW GOLDMAN

Garry Marshall doesn’t regret Fonzie’s fateful stunt.

Role to Role, From Sherlock to ‘Star Trek’

By DAVE ITZKOFF

Benedict Cumberbatch has been in demand since his role as Sherlock Holmes on British television.

Slide Show

Critic’s Notebook

Monochromatic TV: Allison Williams and Chris Abbott in “Girls.”

Broadcasting a World of Whiteness

By JON CARAMANICA

The lack of diversity identified by critics of HBO’s “Girls” is systemic; more popular shows like “Two and a Half Men” or “How I Met Your Mother” exist in a world that rarely considers race.

TV Review: 'Girls'

Neil Everett and Stan Verrett, the anchors of SportsCenter, on the WatchESPN app for the iPad.

In Search of Apps for Television

By AMY CHOZICK and NICK WINGFIELD

The technology industry is working on viewing options that could include apps, a move that has the potential to transform cable television’s interface and business model.

Television Review | 'My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding'

My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding A potential bride on the show, on TLC, Sunday nights at 10, Eastern and Pacific time; 9, central time.

If Carmen Had Made It to the Altar

By NEIL GENZLINGER

“My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding,” which has its debut on Sunday night on TLC, tracks the mating rituals of young American Gypsies.

Television Review | ‘Whale Wars: Viking Shores’

Whale Wars: Viking Shores Sea Shepherd members in this Animal Planet series on Friday night at 9, Eastern and Pacific times; 9, Central time.

Earnest Sailors Drop Anchor Among the Enemy

By MIKE HALE

The ocean-going conservationists of “Whale Wars” take their fight to the Faroe Islands and step ashore for face-to-face confrontations in a new spin-off series on Animal planet.

Up Close

A Low-Key Anchor With High Expectations

By MICHAEL SCHULMAN

Pat Kiernan, who has become somewhat of a sensation at NY1, hopes to trade his morning news chair for Regis Philbin’s old seat.

Critic’s Notebook

Niecy Nash, far left, and family on “Leave It to Niecy.”

Tranquillity Replaces Trash Talk and Heels

By JON CARAMANICA

New reality shows documenting the lives of midlevel black celebrities, like “Leave It to Niecy” on TLC and “Mary Mary” on WeTV, emphasize family over fabulous.

No Pressure: Just Make Obama Laugh

By BILL CARTER

Jimmy Kimmel will entertain attendees at this Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, a job that can elevate or deflate a comedian’s career.

Critic’s Notebook

Digs is a new YouTube channel devoted to home improvement.

Genres Stretch, for Better and Worse, as YouTube Takes On TV

By MIKE HALE

YouTube’s “original channels” have been seen as the site’s first major effort to take on the television industry — and competitors like Hulu and Netflix — for advertising dollars.

From Opinion

Room for Debate

Whitewashing on the Small Screen

Should there be more of a push to feature minorities in lead roles, or does this get in the way of truthful storytelling?

From the Sunday Magazine

Can ‘The Killing’ Make a Comeback?

By ADAM STERNBERGH

Veena Sud’s show, ‘The Killing,’ wasn’t the first one to anger its audience. But it’s the first to alienate a new breed of viewers with the power to fight back.