Jon Tenney

CHICAGO – The battle for summer cable dominance continues with another night of new programming on TNT as the very-popular “The Closer” and “Rizzoli & Isles” return for new seasons on Monday nights. With strong female leads and cleverly-devised mysteries, these are strong programs for what they are and they make a solid pair at the start of a long work week. They’re not going to change your life or be your favorite shows of the season, but they deliver what they promise.

CHICAGO – It’s nearly impossible to write about the details of the season premiere of “The Closer” as TNT has asked us not to discuss the shocking events that open the episode so we will have to talk around the specifics more than usual. You may wonder why or how we can review an episode with no details? We’ll give it a shot because this is excellent television and we wouldn’t want to leave it un-reviewed.

CHICAGO – As my grandfather used to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Such is the formula of a hit show like “The Closer,” which returns tonight, July 12th, 2010 for its sixth season premiere. The characters may be coping with a new setting but it’s the same old show.

CHICAGO – It’s hard to say what about “Legion” is the film’s worst offense: some of the most laughable dialogue of the year, mediocre special effects, uninteresting characters, or truly bad performances. Yes, “Legion” is a head-scratchingly horrible movie. Take your pick. It’s all wrong.

CHICAGO – One of the best shows on basic cable returns this week with the fifth season premiere of “The Closer,” a dark, gut-wrenching episode that hints at a potentially series-altering summer for the beloved mystery series.

Television Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – TNT’s “The Closer” has an easy-going charm that rarely gets the critical praise it deserves but has turned the show into one of the most highly rated scripted program on basic cable. “The Closer” beats most network programs and is, cable or not, one of the bigger hits on TV. The mid-season premiere, “Good Faith,” airing Monday, January 26th, 2009, makes it easy to see why.