David Bianculli

The third season of HBO's vampire soap True Blood is now out on DVD. TV critic David Bianculli says the show's success proves that vampires -- more than werewolves, zombies or witches -- will turn out to be the most durable media monsters of all.

For the first time, the complete adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends are available on DVD. TV critic David Bianculli says even 50 years later, the humor in the original episodes still "hits it out of the park."

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, HBO presents three different types of TV in three days: a new comedy special, a new dramatic telemovie and the return of a continuing drama series. TV critic David Bianculli, who has seen all three, explains why they're all worth watching.

From 1950 until he died in an auto accident in 1962, Ernie Kovacs created some of the most inventive and unusual television ever made. A new box set collects more than 13 hours of the TV pioneer's best and rarest programs. TV critic David Bianculli says it's "a mandatory purchase for anyone who loves TV."

After 34 years, the British miniseries Upstairs, Downstairs will return to PBS on Sunday. TV critic David Bianculli says the surprisingly fresh yet faithful sequel was worth the wait — but now he wants more.

The new AMC drama The Killing tells the story of the murder of a young girl from three different perspectives. TV critic David Bianculli says the show is "AMC's most depressing series yet" -- and explains why it reminds him of the The X-Files, 24 and Twin Peaks.

The HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce is based on the 1941 novel by John M. Cain, replacing Joan Crawford -- who won an Oscar for the 1945 film version -- with Kate Winslet. TV critic David Bianculli says Winslet does wonders with her role -- and will be tough to beat, come Emmy season.

February sweeps ended Wednesday, so most broadcast networks are back to reruns and reality shows. TV critic David Bianculli says that one of the reality shows, NBC's America's Next Great Restaurant, is much better than the rest -- and makes him hungry for more.

Shawn Ryan's first series, The Shield, starred Michael Chiklis as a corrupt cop. His new series The Chicago Code is also about cops — but this time, they're honest. And TV critic David Bianculli says the heroes (played by Jennifer Beals and Jason Clarke) turn in very strong performances.

The new FX series Lights Out centers on a retired heavyweight boxer contemplating a comeback. TV critic David Bianculli says the intense boxing drama may end up being the best new dramatic series of 2011.