Courtesy PBS

A television network working with a website to push reading with your kids?  Oh.  Wait.  It’s PBS – part of their whole reason for existing is getting kids to turn off the tube and read books.

Which is why iVillage is hosting the PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge.  The idea is

Continue reading PBS Kids Hooks up with iVillage.com, Thursday, July 1

Carl Reiner and Betty White, courtesy TVLand

I have to admit Hot in Cleveland is one of those rare shows that can be funny about sex without being raunchy or boring.  The series airs on TVLand at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.  You may want to approach with caution if you have younger viewers

Continue reading Another Light Night, But… Wednesday, June 30

TCM, aka Turner Classic Movies, is doing a mini-marathon of musicals by composer Frank Loesser tonight, starting at 8 p.m. (or 5 p.m., if your system doesn’t get the Turner West Coast feed) with How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.  The film was made in 1967, with the Broadway show it was

Continue reading Quick Notes for a Light Tuesday, June 29

Nikki Blonsky, Harvey Guillen

HUGE

Friendly Rating: All ages, but mostly upper elementary and older.

Safety Rating: Pretty safe – one counselor may be crossing the line, but so far, so good.

Quality Rating: Excellent

Series premieres on ABC Family at 9 p.m.

In a nation facing an epidemic of obesity, that also

Continue reading Huge is Immensely Good, Monday, June 28

YOU LUCKY DOG

Friendly Rating: Dog lovers of all ages.

Safety Rating: One damn and some intrusive product placement.

Quality Rating: Uneven, but lots more going for it than not.

Original Hallmark Channel movie premiering tonight at 9 p.m.

This ultimately rather charming movie does start out at the same pace as country life. 

Continue reading You Lucky Dog, Saturday, June 26

Debby Ryan, courtesy Disney Channel

16 WISHES

Friendly Rating: Early grade school and up.

Safety Rating: Even the one kiss is pure.

Quality Rating: Uneven, but ends well.

Movie special premieres tonight on Disney Channel at 8 p.m.

My biggest problem with the early parts of 16 Wishes was that Abby Jensen (Debby

Continue reading 16 Wishes/Reasons to be Careful, Friday, June 25

Missy Peregrym, Ben Bass, courtesy ABC

ROOKIE BLUE

Friendly Rating: Middle school and older.

Safety Rating: Some violence, but comparatively restrained.

Quality Rating: Pretty good.

Series premieres on ABC at 9 p.m.

The show may be about brand-new cops, but it’s more like a competent veteran of the genre than anything that fresh

Continue reading Rookie Blue a Competent Veteran, Thursday, June 24

Courtesy ABC

BOSTON MED

Friendly Rating: Middle school and older.

Safety Rating: Some operating room scenes with blood and organs, may be too intense for younger/sensitive viewers.

Quality Rating: Compelling, but not earth-shaking.

Series premiers on ABC tonight at 10 p.m.

As a former E.R. junkie, my first instinct was to look for

Continue reading Boston Med, Real Hospitals, Thursday, June 24

Harp contestant Coline-Marie Orliac, courtesy PBS

HARP DREAMS

Friendly Rating: Patient adults, though musical young ones could enjoy it.

Safety Rating: Very safe.

Quality Rating: Squirmies aside, hard to turn off.

Film premieres tonight on PBS, check your local listings for times.

Watching Harp Dreams is a lot like eating your vegetables and

Continue reading Harpin’ on Harp Dreams, Wednesday, June 23

Sam Hennings and Jason Lee, courtesy Turner Networks

MEMPHIS BEAT

Friendly Rating: Middle school and up.

Safety Rating: Too violent for middle school, but not as bad as it could be.  And one bare backside.

Quality Rating: Nothing transcendent, but still pretty good.

Series premieres on TNT at 10 p.m.

Given all the

Continue reading Memphis Beat Mostly Amiable, Tuesday, June 22