The TV Zone

Diane would head instead to the viewer side of the tube/LCD screen. She’s been writing about TV for Newsday since 1990, and recently published the definitive book “Christmas on Television” (Praeger), assessing 60 years of holiday programs from “Amahl and the Night Visitors” to “Seinfeld,” from Bing Crosby’s clan to “The Sopranos.”

She has judged TV from Finland, Japan and South Africa for the international jury of the Banff Television Festival, and served twice on the American Film Institute’s annual panel choosing the year’s most memorable television. She’s also past president of the Television Critics Association.

Her all-time faves include “Lost in Space” (love that great vegetable rebellion!), “Barney Miller,” Anne Francis’ karate-chopping private eye “Honey West,” and such unsung short-runs as “Bakersfield P.D.” and “Nothing Sacred.”

Current must-sees include “Battlestar Galactica,” “Dexter,” “Slings & Arrows,” “Heroes,” “Ugly Betty” and the eternally savage “South Park.” Diane wishes both hockey season and “The Shield” ran year-round.