The Master-Servant Relationship Evolves In Downton Abbey

Sunday, 9 p.m., (PBS)

Masterpiece has worked hard to expand its range, but the success of Downton Abbey—rave reviews, Emmy awards, high ratings—proves that people really just want to see another variation on the old Upstairs Downstairs theme. And why not? Nobody…

HOT ROD TATTOO—Atlantic City, NJ
On a recent trip to Atlantic City for a holiday dinner party, I noticed a huge sign that read “Tattoo” as we drove down Atlantic Avenue. Since we were way early for the dinner, the love of my life, allowed me to pull over…

There are some men who will tell you flat-out as a blanket statement that women are not funny. I am not one of them. I think Wanda Sykes is one of the most hilarious people on the planet—every step on par with the likes of Chris Rock—and coming from me,…

READERS RESPONSES

One week to go before the Republican Primaries and the response for THE RON PAUL FACTOR – Issue: 12/21/11 challenges any this space has received in nearly 15 years. Here are the highlights:

The way the campaign carnivals have danced their way onto the media stage…

In 2012, the American protesters’ rally cry might have a bit of a different ring than it did in its incendiary first year. “We are the 94%” is unlikely to be a PR firebrand, but for the sake of respecting the online research capabilities of our Zuccotti Park brethren, let’s…

It’s the start of a new year, and a good time to see where we stand in the political landscape of the country. Where are we as a nation, and where are we headed? Are we doing what’s necessary to move forward and lead the world into the future?

Anyone…

Where It All Begins (Stax/Concord) is the sixth album from “The First Daughter Of Soul,” Lalah Hathaway, whose father, Donny Hathaway (1945-1979) recorded five ‘70s albums (two with Roberta Flack). Its 12 tracks bespeak a sly insinuating sensuality, perfect for her oh-so-soulful retro stance. If her dad was a…

After a four-day-long silent auction was held, it was eventually determined that the Texas Rangers would have the right to negotiate a contract with the young Japanese prodigy Yu Darvish. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, the right-handed pitcher appears to have it all—size, strength, a solid fastball, an above-average…

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Paramount Pictures

Rated PG-13 for violence and intense action sequences.

Cruise And Company Go Undercover For Dangerous Assignment In Russia

Before he could intercept a courier carrying the activation codes for Russia’s nuclear devices, an American spy (Josh Hollaway) is slain in Budapest, Hungary, by…

COLLISION COURSE — Another Earth straddles the line between indie think piece and cerebral science fiction. Aspiring college genius Rhoda tries to secretly make amends to a withering composer whose wife and child she killed in a drunken car accident. Meanwhile, a second Earth has been spotted in the…