TV critic's picks: Friday

TCM "Dracula" marathon; "Law & Order: UK"

September 30, 2010 at 7:50PM

Count on it Young punk vampires could learn a thing or two from the granddaddy of them all, Dracula. Sink your teeth into a bloody good festival featuring 1958's "Horror of Dracula" (7 p.m. Friday, TCM), 1960's "The Brides of Dracula" (8:30 p.m.), 1966's "Dracula, Prince of Darkness" (10 p.m.) and 1969's "Dracula Has Risen From the Grave" (11:45 p.m.).

The little wrassles If you think pro wrestling is from outer space, then you'll appreciate the fact that "Friday Night SmackDown" (7 p.m. Friday, Syfy) is moving from MyNetwork to the home of sci-fi series such as "Warehouse 13." Favorites including Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and Michelle McCool will still be mixing it up.

International law Take one of American TV's most famous brands, add a few funny wigs and you've got "Law & Order: UK" (9:30 p.m. Sunday, BBCA), an overseas spinoff that tweaks U.S. scripts until they have an English spin. In other words, instead of stopping for coffee and doughnuts, the detectives break for fish and chips. "Battlestar Galactica" veteran Jamie Bamber leads the war on the streets.

Cross roads I'm a major David Cross fan, but even I was blown away by the inventiveness of his new series, "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret" (9 p.m. Friday, IFC). Cross plays a walking accident who stumbles into a job selling energy drinks in London. The mishaps that ensue would make even Buster Keaton wince. If you like uncomfortable British comedy -- think "Fawlty Towers" and the original "The Office" -- then this is required viewing.

NEAL JUSTIN

about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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