MONDAY
AUGUST 11
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Acorn TV, Check local listings

SERIES RELAUNCH: Ever since 1989, every episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, starring David Suchet as the persistent and persnickety Belgian detective, has been available on PBS’s Mystery! But for this 13th and final season, the last three installments in the series, beginning today, are available only on the streaming network Acorn.TV – though, this fall, they’ll be made available to local public TV stations for rebroadcast. But for now, beginning with this episode – which features the last guest appearance by Zoe Wanamaker as Christie’s mystery-writing alter ego – you have to act like a squirrel, and hunt for Acorn. For my full review, visit NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross later this afternoon.

 
  
 
 

TV Land, 8:00 p.m. ET

SERIES RETURN: Peter Funt, son of original Candid Camera host Allen Funt, co-hosts this latest revival series with Mayim Bialik of The Big Bang Theory, bringing back a TV show so old, it predates television. (It began on radio as Candid Microphone in 1947, and became TV’s Candid Camera a year later.) And those viewers old enough to remember some of this show’s original good-natured pranks will recognize one of them tonight, as Megan Hilty from Smash recreates the old hidden-camera classic about bringing her car in for repairs because there’s something wrong with the engine – an engine the mechanics can’t find.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Ten Marlon Brando movies are shown today and tonight, as TCM devotes the day to one of the most influential actors in cinema history. Watch him explode, and change all the rules, as Stanley Kowalski in this 1951 film version of his stunning Broadway debut. Then stay tuned, and strap in, because Brando isn’t through yet. At 10:15 p.m. ET, he stars in 1953’s The Wild One, playing the rebel in a biker gang movie that provided one of the inspirations for the name of The Beatles. Then, at 11:45 p.m. ET, comes 1954’s On the Waterfront, which was as important and impressive, in its way, as A Streetcar Named Desire three years earlier.

 
  
 
 

Discovery, 9:00 p.m. ET

Shark Week continues on Discovery with two more prime-time premieres with bite. At 10 p.m. ET, the network presents Monster Hammerhead, which brings to mind that soothing old folk tune (“If I had a hammerhead…”). And before that, at 9 p.m. ET, Discovery presents Jaws Strikes Back, a new documentary showcasing the technology of and images from a new robotic underwater vehicle called, of course, the SharkCam. For those who remember David Letterman’s MonkeyCam, this hardly seems like a major advancement. But to at least one great white that encounters the SharkCam, it looks more like a SnackCam.

 
  
 
 

TNT, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Fans of any show want to catch a season finale, but there’s extra incentive for watching this one. This Steven Bochco series has spent the entire season on a single story line and murder case – and tonight, the story concludes, and the verdict will be rendered. By viewers, at least.

 
  
 
 

Sundance, 11:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: I’ve subscribed to New York magazine for decades, and its back-page feature of late, “The Approval Matrix,” is a weekly, witty attempt to pin all things pop cultural on a mathematical-type graph – on a range from “highbrow” to “lowbrow” on one line, and “brilliant” to “despicable” on the other. It’s a different way to steer the talk, and select subjects, during a talk show – and though making this live, or taping it closer to air, would allow for a more topical exchange, there are moments of freewheeling fun here – as when TV Guide critic Matt Roush singlehandedly, and very properly, reaches out to give more credit to The Honeymooners than the other panelists, who include Whitney Cummings. Neil Brennan hosts.

 
  
 
 
 
 
Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
RCCUX
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 210  | Go to page: 
4198 Comments
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Jul 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This farewell page feels unusually personal for a recommendations site. What I appreciate most is the attention to habit: returning to shows, voices, and small details over time. That same kind of close listening matters in music practice too, where separating a full mix into parts can make hidden details easier to notice.
Jul 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This closing note has a nice sense of memory and gratitude. I especially liked the way it treats television criticism as something personal rather than just a list of recommendations. It made me think about how much of media work is really about listening closely, saving small details, and returning to them later. I often do that with music practice as well, using simple tools like https://tunestems.com/ to separate parts and hear what is happening underneath the full mix.
Jul 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Situs web ini benar-benar penipuan, jangan percayai mereka.
Jul 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini pantas untuk diungkap kebohongan dan kebusukan mereka.
Jul 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Jul 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I can set up my new idea from this post. It gives in depth information. Thanks for this valuable information for all
Jul 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative .
Jul 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
The article you have shared is very interesting. I am really happy that I visit your webpage, and I am agree with what you said. Please keep sharing more
Jul 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
???
You there, this is really good post here. Thanks for taking the time to post such valuable information. Quality content is what always gets the visitors coming
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
That is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching about that mather. Virtually any method many thanks in addition to i had endeavor to promote your own article in to delicius nevertheless it is apparently a dilemma using your information sites can you please recheck the idea. thanks once more
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
???
I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
???
I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Interesting post. I Have Been wondering about this issue. so thanks for posting. Pretty cool post.It 's really very nice and Useful post.Thanks
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Interesting post. I Have Been wondering about this issue. so thanks for posting. Pretty cool post.It 's really very nice and Useful post.Thanks
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Interesting post. I Have Been wondering about this issue. so thanks for posting. Pretty cool post.It 's really very nice and Useful post.Thanks
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
???? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ??????. ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ? ???? ?????.
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ????. ?? ???? ??? ????" "??? ??? ??? ?????" "?? ???? ???? ?? ?????. ?????.
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ????. ?? ???? ??? ????" "??? ??? ??? ?????" "?? ???? ???? ?? ?????. ?????.
Jul 11, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 210  | Go to page: 
 
 

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.