Producers boost Chicago filming

Apr. 4, 2013
Film officials say increased production days lead to more revenue for the city and local crews.  

What TV credits say about place

Dec. 26, 2012
Whether it's Boss, All in the Family or Good Times, architecture critic Lee Bey examines how the intros to TV programs provide an interesting architectural showcase.

How to grow a delicious placenta

May. 16, 2012
I believe that it’s been well-established by this point that eating your placenta after giving birth is standard practice. However, I was struck by a problem that afflicts way too many pregnant women: We are growing gross-tasting placentas.

In praise of clean comedy

Apr. 11, 2012
As cable TV pushes content that’s ever more profane, my advice to the networks is this: Dump the potty talk.

Watching alone: The isolating impact of media gadgets

Mar. 8, 2012
New statistics show that America now contains more cell phones than it does actual people.Maybe I’m just feeling nostalgic, but I think there’s something peculiar about the fact that we, as a nation, are outnumbered by our electronic gagets:Al Gini is a professor of business ethics and chair of

In 'Playboy Club,' nostalgia TV gets it wrong

Sep. 19, 2011
Two of this week's most talked-about TV premieres have very similar settings: Pan Am, first airing on Sunday, is about attractive young women working as Pan Am flight attendants in the 1960s.

Big storms are big business for the weather channel

Jul. 27, 2011
It's a little strange hearing a rundown of a television network's big and successful year that talks not only about audience growth, but also about deadly hurricanes, crippling drought, and a major heat wave.

Behind the scenes of MythBusters

Dec. 3, 2010
Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman are special effects guys, not scientists, but the kind of curiosity and rigor they bring to their TV series MythBusters certainly befits men of science.Whether they’re blowing up radiators or probing the reality behind everyday myths and urban legends, Savage and