David Hiltbrand

A true child of TV, David Hiltbrand has worked as a critic at People and as a columnist and editor at TV Guide. He also has written for the soap operas All My Children and Guiding Light. His column "Dave on Demand" appears every Saturday in The Inquirer.

Read David's blog Dave on Demand
Latest post: 'Criminal Minds' finale: The Replicator is … - 05/23/2013

Anne Heche sparkles in the comedy as a drunken, self-centered suburbanite touched by God.

From booze to blessings: Heche as heavenly herald

By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

05/23/2013

God works in wacky ways. At least in the Hollywood version of the universe. That daffy deity is at it again in NBC's new sitcom Save Me (8 p.m. Thursday on NBC10), choosing a soused, self-centered Ohio suburbanite as a heavenly herald on Earth.

"Reign," on The CW, is a 16th-century costume production about the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. JOSS BARRATT / The CW

Network offerings for fall have the ring of the familiar

By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

05/16/2013

Any way you look at it, it was a tough year for the networks. Broadcast ratings dropped by an average of 7.5 percent, the steepest decline in six years.

There go the 'Idol' judges 05/17/2013: By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer TV Critic

With viewers abandoning American Idol in flash mobs, the future of the former ratings juggernaut is wrapped in turmoil and scotch-taped in uncertainty.
Two leftover series show promise 05/17/2013: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

Shows that debut on broadcast this time of year, just as the season is ending, are generally remainders. They're series the networks bought and paid for, and then, for one reason or another, had second thoughts about.
New CW shows feature vampires, werewolves, royalty 05/16/2013: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

The last of this week's broadcast upfronts was by The CW, whose brand is young, fresh, and hip. Fittingly, The CW's presentation at New York's City Center on Thursday opened with Icona Pop performing the infectious "I Love It."
CBS Fall Lineup 05/15/2013: New programs in bold. Monday 8:00 How I Met Your Mother 8:30 We Are Men 9:00 2 Broke Girls
CBS' five new fall shows - four of them sitcoms 05/15/2013: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

In the high-stakes game of draw poker that is network programming, CBS has a habit of holding onto its cards.
ABC to launch eight new prime-time shows in fall 05/14/2013: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

While the other networks are splashing around in the kiddie pool, ABC jumped into the shark tank at its upfront presentation Tuesday at New York's Avery Fisher Hall.
Fox and NBC roll out new shows 05/13/2013: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

Sports fans have draft day. TV lovers have up-front presentations, when the networks reveal the rookies that have earned starting spots on their fall lineups.
Genealogical absurdity in Christopher Guest's 'Family Tree' 05/10/2013: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

You have to give Christopher Guest credit: When he finds a comedy style that works for him, he sticks with it.
TV moms, then and now 05/11/2013: By David Hiltbrand, Inquirer TV Critic

For years, TV sitcoms perpetuated the stereotype of the bumbling, clueless dad. It's only recently that moms are getting the same rank treatment. From Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) in Malcolm in the Middle to Jules (Courteney Cox) in Cougar Town to Frankie Heck (
Local stand-up comedian gets TV showcase Friday 05/08/2013: By David Hiltbrand, INQUIRER TV CRITIC

Sometimes opportunity is three sheets to the wind when she knocks. That's how it was for comic Joe DeRosa, who has his second stand-up special on Comedy Central late Friday night.