THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER 12

2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Encore, 8:00 p.m. ET

One of my favorite lines of dialogue in all of movie history, uttered by the villainous Goldfinger after aiming a laser northward towards a helplessly spread-eagled 007’s private parts: “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.” Everything you want in a Bond film, this 1964 classic action movie has, and more: Sean Connery as James Bond, automotive gadgetry, menacing underlings, thrilling climaxes (some even at the end of the movie), and, as embodied by Honor Blackman, Pussy Galore.

PICNIC

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Thursdays in September are devoted to Kim Novak, and tonight offers another generous sampling of her work. The action begins with 1955’s Picnic, a version of the William Inge play that gives the actress, as co-stars, both William Holden and Cliff Robertson. Also on tap this evening, at 10 p.m. ET: 1957’s Pal Joey with Frank Sinatra.

THE PRESIDENTS' GATEKEEPERS

Discovery, 9:00 p.m. ET

Part 2 of 2. Gedeon and Jules Gaudet, the filmmaking brothers who made the remarkable CBS film 9/11, reteam for this new documentary, which focuses on the White House chiefs of staff and assistants, and manages to interview a score of them about their dealings with their respective presidential bosses.

BURN NOTICE

USA, 9:00 p.m. ET

SERIES FINALE: While AMC’s Breaking Bad has been burning it up of late, producing one TV masterpiece after another as it heads to its series finale, both Showtime’s Dexter and this USA series seem to have lost their way while nearing the finish line. But tonight, for Jeffrey Donovan’s Michael Weston and company, it’s the end of the Burn Notice line, so fans should make a special effort to tune in. And hope for closure. If it ends with Michael and Fiona sharing a cup of yogurt, I wouldn’t be too surprised. Or impressed.

ELEMENTARY

CBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

Part 1 of 2. This is a repeat of last season’s two-part finale, but it’s one that certainly added yet another new wrinkle to the Holmes-Watson-Moriarty relationships. And it’s a wrinkle clever enough to watch, whether you know the twist or not.

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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

Encore, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Discovery, 9:00 p.m. ET

USA, 9:00 p.m. ET

CBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

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