WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 11
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

Taraji P. Henson, as Cookie, is all about the fashion – but Henson, as an actress, is all about the acting, too. That’s why she enjoys throwing herself to the other extreme, and revisiting, in flashbacks, Cookie’s anything but glamorous stint in prison – back when orange was the old orange.

 
  
 
 

CW, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: The Season 1 premiere of this series began with the discovery of a body, suggesting that this TV adaptation of the Archie comics franchise was going to go to darker places than Pop’s malt shop.  Season 2 of Riverdale, picking up tonight where last season’s cliffhanger ended, has Archie (KJ Apa) investigating the shooting of his own father (Luke Perry) – in, if memory serves, that very malt shop.

 
  
 
 

AT&T Audience Network, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: This could very well have been the series finale for this series, which heads tonight to a climax with killer Brady embarking on what may be a new murder spree – but AT&T has announced that this series has been renewed, meaning that Stephen King and producer David E. Kelley will continue to adapt his trilogy of tales next year.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

This new edition of Frontline details how the Environmental Protection Agency has shifted agendas, from protecting the environment to – as recently as this week – scaling back its mandated protections. And, as this documentary shows, solving this particular mystery isn’t that tough: This particular caper was an inside job. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

CW, 9:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: This is not a recommendation. Dynasty was a giant hit in the 1980s, ABC’s answer to CBS’s soap opera smash Dallas, that it’s not surprising that show was selected for a reboot. However, since this CW version is so squarely aimed at its young demographic, I’m not sure how much momentum will carry over. The new-generation, new-century approach is encapsulated by the fact that the character of Krystle, millionaire Blake Carrington’s young bride (played in the original by Linda Evans), is now spelled Cristal. Like the champagne. She’s played by Nathalie Kelley, seen here with Elizabeth Gillies from Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, who plays Blake’s daughter, Fallon. Blake is played by Grant Show from Melrose Place, but don’t look for the vixenish Sammy Jo, played in the original, in a star-making turn, by Heather Locklear. Sammy Jo is now a guy, played by Rafael de la Fuente. And Alexis, the scene-stealer played in the original by Joan Collins? That character showed up in Season 2 of the old Dynasty, and hasn’t been cast yet. I’d say I can hardly wait, but that’s not true. After seeing the premiere, I can wait just fine. While I’m watching other, much better shows.

 
  
 
 

USA, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Mr. Robot is back for Season 3. I’d remind you where it left off – but all these months later, I’m still not sure, and less sure of what is or isn’t real on this series. But I’ll be watching, to try and figure it out. Like Legion, this is a series told from the point of view of an entirely unreliable narrator. And it’s fascinating.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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3685 Comments
 
 
Gerda Lundgren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Hialeah Auto Glass Repair (https://autoglassrepairhialeah.com/) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Golly Gerda, you make me blush with your kind words, but maybe instead of giving me praise, how about giving me a discount on your service bills!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Dave
Mar 22, 2026
 
 
 
Rut Holmgren
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on West Palm Beach Auto Glass Repair (https://westpalmbeachautoglassrepair.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Birger Samuelsson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Macon Auto Glass Repair at https://autoglassrepairmacon.com/ is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Inga Henriksen
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lakewood Fence Company put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://fencecompanylakewood.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Harald Almgren
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Boca Raton Auto Glass Repair put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://bocaratonautoglassrepair.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sigrun Lindholm
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on Brighton Towing Company (https://brightontowingcompany.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Karl Forsberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Sunrise Towing Company (https://sunrisetowingcompany.com) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Solveig Johanson
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lincoln Mobile Mechanic put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://lincolnmobilemechanic.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Arvid Berggren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Colorado Springs Mobile Mechanic (https://coloradospringcosmobilemechanic.com) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Frida Sundberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Citrus Heights Towing Company (http://www.towingcitrusheights.com/) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Viggo Lundqvist
TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Lafayette Auto Glass Repair at https://lafayetteautoglassrepair.com for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Tyra Stromberg
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Lauderhill Towing Company (https://lauderhilltowing.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Olle Lindgren
Quality criticism is rare and Bianculli delivers every time. I run trucks for a living and Framingham Towing Company (https://towingframingham.com) handles our maintenance. Your site handles my entertainment. Both essential.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Einar Magnusson
Always trust Bianculli's taste. My brother-in-law drives commercially and swears by Oakland Park Towing Company (https://oaklandparktowing.com) for his rig. Same confidence I have in TVWW for TV picks. Two reliable sources.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Vilhelm Lindqvist
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Arlington Concrete Company (https://arlingtonconcretecompany.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Ingeborg Jacobsson
Been following TVWW since my nephew showed me this site years ago. He drives for a freight company and uses Opelika Towing Company (https://opelikatowing.com) for repairs. Your recommendations are his off-hours staple.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Oskar Mattsson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Auburn Concrete Company at https://auburnconcreteco.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Brita Hansson
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Chesapeake Concrete Driveway Company at https://chesapeakedriveway.com - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Astrid Svensson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Reno Pro Mobile Mechanic at https://renopromobilemechanic.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Gunhild Larsson
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair at https://auroraautoglassrepair.net/ - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
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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.