David Hiltbrand

A true child of television, David Hiltbrand spent his childhood in Brooklyn in front of the set watching Sky King and Roy Rogers. He wanted to grow up to be Peter Gunn or T. Hewitt Edward Cat, but instead became an entertainment writer. Hiltbrand is the author of the Jim McNamara mystery series.

His column "Dave on Demand" appears every week in Saturday ReViews.

Buy his latest novel in our online store.

Email David at dhiltbrand@phillynews.com

Will Forte channels "MacGyver" in the trailer for "Mac- Gruber," the latest "SNL" skit-turned-feeble-flick.

Dave on Demand: 'MacGruber' the movie: Oh, spare us

By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Columnist

Posted 02/06/2010

An article in the Hollywood Reporter this week revealed that the creator of the '80s action series MacGyver is pursuing legal action to prevent the April release of the spoof film MacGruber.

Michael Vick heading to court in Richmond, Va., with his lawyer, Billy Martin (right), to face dog-fighting charges in 2007. He eventually served 23 months in prison. In the BET pilot, he describes his behavior as "inhumane and barbaric."

BET series, though dull, illuminates Vick the man

By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted 02/02/2010

In this town, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has his detractors and his staunch defenders. McNabb's backup, Michael Vick, is an even more divisive figure - but on a national scale.

Frenzy over 'Lost' building to a finale - 01/29/2010: By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Staff Writer

President Obama has had a rocky first year in office. But he made at least one indisputably sagacious policy decision: When he found out his State of the Union address would preempt the season debut of Lost (9 p.m. Tuesday on 6ABC), the president rescheduled the speech.
Dave on Demand: Tube leaves him cold - 01/30/2010: Enough winter already. "24," "Idol" - whatever's on the screen just seems flat.

By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Columnist

You may want to take everything I say this week with a grain of artificial sweetener. I'm afraid I've come down with a bad case of SVD (Seasonal Viewing Disorder).
From 'Idol' to lunchroom troubadour - 01/28/2010: By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Staff Writer

Pop stars, particularly when they're on tour, follow a different schedule than the rest of us. It's 11 a.m., but for Jason Castro it feels like . . . well, it feels a lot like fourth period.
Dave on Demand: Conan exits with a vengeance - 01/23/2010: By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Columnist

It was a stupid idea right from the start. I don't mean moving Jay Leno to prime time, although that was idiotic, too.
The name's Bartowski - 'Chuck' Bartowski. - 01/19/2010: NBC's comedy/spy mash-up goes a little 007.

By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Staff Writer

NEW YORK - The sprawling NBC Experience Store in Rockefeller Center is the place to go if you're shopping for a Jim (Mad Money) Cramer bobblehead or a Biggest Loser refrigerator magnet.
A TV awards show that gets it right - 01/15/2010: Selections for Emmys often seem outmoded. The Golden Globes better reflect viewers' rapidly changing tastes.

By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Staff Writer

The TV awards at tonight's Golden Globes (8 p.m., NBC10) may lack the glamour of their movie counterparts. And perhaps the prestige of the Emmys.
Dave on Demand: Potential Simon shoe-fillers, some real - 01/16/2010: By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Columnist

O Captain! my Captain! Why have you torpedoed your own boat? I refer to Simon Cowell and the SS American Idol, TV's biggest cruise ship.
Dave on Demand: 3-D stands for big TV dollars - 01/09/2010: Duck! That bowling ball is coming right at you.

By David Hiltbrand, For the Inquirer

Avatar passes the $1 billion mark at the box office. Within hours, there is a flurry of announcements hailing the arrival of 3-D TV. Probably just a coincidence.
Josh Colon, big cheese on 'The Real World' - 01/05/2010: By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer Staff Writer

The view from behind the sizzling grill at Pat's King of Steaks isn't much to speak of. But it does provide a good sight line of the mural above the empty lot across South Ninth Street - the one with the likenesses of Fabian, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, and other native pop stars.
Dave on Demand: The highs reached dramatic heights; the lows kept it real (and scripted). - 01/02/2010: By David Hiltbrand, For the Inquirer

The last 10 years have brought out the best and worst in television. We enjoyed the finest writing and production values the medium has ever seen, particularly in dramas.