SUNDAY
JANUARY 11
2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Fox, 1:00 p.m. ET

For the Dallas Cowboys, it’s the first postseason visit to Lambeau Field since the infamous Ice Bowl of 1967 (pictured), the NFC title game in which the weather at kickoff was minus 13 degrees, with a wind chill factor of 48 below. Today’s game, by contrast, is expected to begin at 20 degrees – a relatively balmy 12 degrees below freezing.

 
  
 
 

CBS, 4:30 p.m. ET

What a matchup: The Denver Broncos are led by QB Peyton Manning, and today they face his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, who are led by gifted young Andrew Luck.

 
  
 
 

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

Once this limited-run comedy series premiered last week, ABC began promoting it, proudly, as “The #1 New Comedy of the Year.” That sounds impressive, yes. But Galavant premiered on January 4, and in the days before and the week after, there have been no other comedies to premiere thus far in 2015. So basically, Galavant is, to date, the only new comedy of the year – so ABC’s promo, while technically accurate, is more than a little disingenuous. But tonight, here are two more fresh episodes of Galavant, however they’re ranked.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

These awards are, in a word, meaningless. But this live telecast is not, because the cohosts, once again, are Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler. You go, girls!

 
  
 
 

CBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tonight is the televised debate in the race for State’s Attorney – which pits Alicia (Julianna Margulies) against Frank (David Hyde Pierce). Expect some tough back and forth – and, as usual, some excellent acting, writing and directing.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s episode is a really good one, with various subplots percolating, including a resurfacing of the secret involving Bates, and new complications regarding the secret offspring of… well, just watch. And tonight, there’s some very funny business involving the possible introduction of a brand new visitor to Downton Abbey: the wireless radio. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: In tonight’s first new episode of 2015, Hannah (Lena Dunham) faces a new bunch of issues, and judgments, as she heads to the Iowa Writers Workshop. For a full review, see Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Fiona (Emmy Rossum) doesn’t exactly have a history of falling for the right man – but as this season begins, her taste may be improving. Problem is, he’s older. And her boss. And, apparently, not interested in making the interest reciprocal. Meanwhile, father Frank (William H. Macy) comes out of his near-death experience with a new liver, and, temporarily, a new outlook.
 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:30 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: The Duplass brothers, Jay and Mark, present their first TV series as a writing team. Mark stars, along with Melanie Lynskey, Steve Zissis and Amanda Peet, in an intimate comedy about life, and life changes, among the no-longer-very young. Nice performances, and an impressive sweep of emotions touched upon in each episode. For his full review, read Uncle Barky's Bytes.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Things between the core characters on this series couldn’t be rockier – either professionally or personally, or both, everything is set to explode. And even in this season opener, there are, indeed, some big detonations. Don Cheadle stars.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 10:30 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: This underrated Showtime series begins another season with a very strong, very funny episode indeed. For a full review, see Bianculli’s Blog. And to hear or read my review on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, visit the Fresh Air website.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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David Bianculli

Founder / Editor

David Bianculli has been a TV critic since 1975, including a 14-year stint at the New York Daily News, and sees no reason to stop now. Currently, he's TV critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and is an occasional substitute host for that show. He's also an author and teaches TV and film history at New Jersey's Rowan University. His 2009 Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', has been purchased for film rights. His latest, The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to the Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, is an effusive guidebook that plots the path from the 1950s’ Golden Age to today’s era of quality TV.