Television: A Biography

Prolific film critic and historian Thomson (How to Watch a Movie) ambitiously endeavors to map the history of television in this illustrated volume, but for those who don’t admire the author’s sauntering style, the results will be less than satisfying. Compiled into thematic chapters with catchy titles such as “The Sit and the Situation,” “The Loneliness of the Role Model,” and “Women, Wives, and Wonderers,” it promises a fresh and practical analysis of the medium but lacks depth. The book looks at a wide assortment of subjects, including stars Donna Reed, Lucille Ball, Bill Cosby, and Jon Stewart, as well as hit shows such as MASH, Law & Order, Seinfeld, and Breaking Bad. However, its operating principle seems to be “throw it at the wall and see what sticks.” The author has intriguing historical tidbits to share in this series of loosely organized essays, but his genuine insights are obscured by the slapdash narrative. This weightless study improves whenever the author’s dry humor comes to the fore. Casual readers should enjoy this brisk read, but anyone expecting a comprehensive consideration of the medium will have to look elsewhere. [em](Oct.) [/em]