David Hiltbrand

A TV columnist and pop culture writer, Hiltbrand has worked as a critic at People and as a columnist and editor at TV Guide. Despite being romantically challenged, he has written for the soap operas All My Children and Guiding Light. Hiltbrand is the author of three mystery novels featuring Jim McNamara, the rock n’ roll detective. He has, God help him, seen every episode of American Idol. His column "Dave on Demand" appears every Saturday in The Inquirer.

Read David's blog Dave on Demand
Latest post: Sound familiar? ABC’s ‘Duets’debuts - 05/25/2012
Email David at dhiltbrand@phillynews.com

Pattinson leaves vampires behind in 'Cosmopolis'
‘The Intouchables’ is a top three film in France
Nicole Kidman praises her red carpet marriage
Sound familiar? ABC’s ‘Duets’debuts

More entertainment
Sound familiar? ABC’s ‘Duets’debuts

Author Craig Johnson lives his cowboy dream - 05/23/2012: By David Hiltbrand

Growing up, Craig Johnson had the kind of romantic aspirations we all do. He wanted to be a cowboy. And he wanted to be a writer. Most of us end up forfeiting these types of daydreams to life’s harsher demands. Johnson held onto his. Both of them. Even found a way to make them sustain each other.
Phillip Phillips wins American Idol - 05/23/2012: By David Hiltbrand

Phillip Phillips, the 21-year-old from Leesburg, Ga., was anointed the winner of the 11th season of American Idol on Wednesday night. A fan and judges’ favorite, the easy-going singer sailed through the competition, never landing among the weekly bottom three. By way of contrast, Jessica Sanchez, the 16-year-old from Chula Vista, Calif., whom Phillips prevailed over in the finals, was actually eliminated by viewer votes more than a month ago but was brought back by the judges.
Networks announce fall schedules — defensively - 05/17/2012: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV WRITER

In an annual rite known as Upfront Week, NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, and the CW just presented their lineups for the 2012-13 TV season to advertisers in New York. The ceremonies took place in some of the city’s most august concert Halls (Carnegie, Avery Fisher, Radio City Music) over four days. The broadcast companies introduced only 20 new series for the fall (down from 27 last season). NBC led the pack with six new shows. Fox and the CW had half that many. Like it or not, an awful lot of familiar faces will be returning in the fall.
CBS fall lineup: Subtle, savvy - 05/16/2012: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

CBS, or, as it likes to call itself, “America’s Most-Watched Network,” is already holding a strong hand as the 2012-13 TV season draws to a close.
Changing channel will be hard - 05/15/2012: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Looking at the fall schedules announced so far by the networks, you may well be wondering: Where have all the dramas gone? ABC has them, adding three strong ones in September, with three more waiting in the wings.
NBC schedule doesn’t really change much - 05/15/2012: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV WRITER

NBC can take a joke. That much is clear looking at the lineup it announced Monday morning for the 2012-13 season. The network’s new schedule is remarkably sitcom-saturated. And considering that NBC is mired in fourth place in the ratings, surprisingly static.
Fox fall schedule: A modest harvest, with a degree of Kevin Bacon - 05/15/2012: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV WRITER

Fox announced its fall lineup on Monday with great fanfare and minimal changes. The presentation at the Beacon Theater in New York began with a video of the cast from New Girl interviewing prospective additional roommates — everyone from Fringe’s Walter Bishop to the Rubber Man from FX’s American Horror Story.
‘Desperate Housewives’ ending its eight-year run - 05/10/2012: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV WRITER

It’s time for one last block party on Wisteria Lane. We’ve been through so much with our Desperate Housewives over eight madcap seasons. That turns out to be both a good and a bad thing as Sunday’s two-hour series finale approaches.
Jessica Paré a best actress nominee? Travesty! - 05/11/2012: David Hiltbrand

I’d be the first to admit that I watch and think entirely too much about television. But that doesn’t mean that I understand it. Case in point: AMC’s intention to put Mad Men’s Jessica Pare up for the outstanding-lead-actress category in a drama at this year’s Emmys.
Good acting saves 'Common Law' - 05/10/2012: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

USA's Common Law shifts the formula to the buddy cop genre. The result is distinctly forced, but a standout cast manages to put a breezy top spin on some leaden material.