Soap Operas

Goldsberry played Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, and was also in the Broadway productions of Rent, The Color Purple and The Lion King. On TV, she's appeared on Ally McBeal, The Good Wife and One Life to Live.

On Sunday, the PBS anthology series Masterpiece Classic begins its third season of Downton Abbey, the British period drama that has taken England — and America — by storm.

James Franco doesn't just spend his time acting in the movies. The star of Milk, Howl and the forthcoming 127 Hours is also an accomplished writer and graduate student. He explains how he juggles his many roles — and why he continues to take on new challenges.

HBO's vampire series True Blood returns with its third season Sunday. TV critic David Bianculli says the series is different from other vampire dramas appearing on screen these days -- including the phenomenally popular Twilight movie series. For the most part, he says, it's not about denial and restraint. It's about giving in.

The economy may have hit the broadcast business hard, but TV critic David Bianculli says the future is looking bright — for cable, anyway. He joins Terry Gross to talk about the best and the worst television of '09 and what we can look forward to in '10.

T.V. critic David Bianculli reviews two new shows starring Ann Margaret and Tom Selleck.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews Aaron Spelling's newest Fox network show, "Models, Inc.," about a woman who runs a modeling agency. Spelling is the executive producer of the successful shows "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead switches art forms and has some thoughts on the TV soap opera -- specifically on the waning days of his soap opera obsession "Santa Barbara." The last episode airs tomorrow.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews Soapdish, a comedy about soap opera actors also starring Sally Field.

Television critic David Bianculli profiles "Wiseguy," the CBS crime series. The series' stars are Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova, an undercover organized-crime agent, and Ray Sharkey as Sonny Steelgrave, the impulsive and explosive head of a crime syndicate. The program is about to start its summer repeat run, a time when many shows that face stiff competition in the regular season find a new audience.

Rock star, teen throb and matinee idol Rick Springfield. Springfield, who starred in the popular daytime soap "General Hospital," has a new album, his first in three years.

Fresh Air's language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg.

Television Critic David Bianculli reviews "EastEnders," a contemporary drama about the working class in London's East End. "EastEnders" is the most popular serial drama in Britain, and will air in America on PBS.

Critic-at-Large Laurie Stone discusses soap operas, why she loves them, why she hates them.

Actress Mary Stuart has starred as "Joanne" on the television soap opera "Search For Tomorrow" since 1951. Stuart's autobiography is titled "Both of Me." Stuart joins the show to discuss her career and life.