FRIDAY

OCTOBER 11

2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

2013 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

TBS, 8:30 p.m. ET

We’re on to the Championship Series, beginning with tonight’s first game in the National League Championship battle. On one side, with home-field advantage for the starter, the St. Louis Cardinals, who just made it by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth and final game of its playoff series two days ago. On the other side: the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are more rested.

GREAT PERFORMANCES: "THE HOLLOW CROWN"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

For this production of Henry V, the finale in this kingly history cycle by William Shakespeare, Tom Hiddleston has inherited the crown, and gone from Prince Hal to King Henry V. And it’s a final play just as compelling as the others in this new TV version, which makes my viewing recommendation an easy one: once more unto the breach, dear friends… Check local listings.

HORROR OF DRACULA

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

One year after playing the Creature in a Hammer Studios version of Frankenstein, actor Christopher Lee hit the jackpot by playing a different monster from classic genre literature. This 1958 movie was the first time Lee donned the count’s cowl to play Dracula, marking the first of many such screen vehicles, and a significant shift in the way audiences perceived the undead character – from sinister to seductive. All I can say, after eating up all these movies as a kid, is: Fangs for the memories.

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Starz!, 9:00 p.m. ET

This 2013 movie disappointed in both its box-office receipts and its critical reception – but as a TV premiere on a Friday night, it’s an acceptable diversion, even if only for its beautiful set direction. James Franco stars as the Wizard (a role that earned him less than magical reviews), with a strong supporting cast of actresses: Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis.

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

Well, this week’s show won’t suffer from a lot of awkward silences, at least. The midshow guest is Oliver Stone, and one of the panelists is Chris Matthews. Imagine the average Words Per Minute count on one of their exchanges...

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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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

TBS, 8:30 p.m. ET

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Starz!, 9:00 p.m. ET

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

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