FRIDAY
DECEMBER 13
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Netflix, 2:00 a.m. ET

2013 was the year of Netflix, when it received an unavoidable amount of attention and acclaim by mounting its own original TV productions of House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and a revival of Arrested Development. (No, I’m not counting Hemlock Grove; neither should anyone else.)  But in 2012, before any of those series, Netflix launched what was its first original TV series: Lilyhammer, which returns today with a full complement of Season 2 episodes (all of which are available beginning at 2 a.m. ET). Steven Van Zandt stars as Frank, a mob fixer who enters the witness protection program and is transplanted from New York to Norway. In this new season, the new crime operation Frank has built in his new snow-covered home town attracts the attention of some greedy British mobsters. Oh, and in the pilot, there’s a high-speed run-in between a moose and a muscle car.

 
  
 
 

AMC, 7:00 p.m. ET

Bing Crosby already had made this title song a major radio and holiday hit – but that just meant the Irving Berlin song was ripe for even more commercialization, as he stars here again, with Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and George Clooney’s musical hit-making relative, Rosemary Clooney.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This movie musical is now 45 years old. It was released in 1968, earning Barbra Streisand an Oscar for reprising her Broadway role of Fanny Brice. This was one of the musicals my high school performing group staged a year or two later, when it was still “fresh” – showcasing the truly arresting vocal talents of a young Dara Norman. Fun times.

 
  
 
 

Fox, 9:00 p.m. ET

In tonight’s holiday episode, Burt is given some special responsibilities at work, and more than the usual amount of authority – which, during the holiday sales season, translates to the predictable abuse of power.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 10:00 p.m. ET

The subtitle of this new concert documentary is Celebrating the Music of ‘Inside Llewyn Davis.’ And while more people may be in a mood to celebrate after seeing the new Coen Brothers film, which opens later this month, recording tonight’s special about this tribute concert (taped in New York in September) is a smart move in advance. After all, T Bone Burnett, who oversaw all the music for this new movie, did the same for the unforgettably inspiring O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. The movie’s stars, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver, perform, but so do Jack White, Patti Smith, Gillian Welch and others.

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
WORWL
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 186  | Go to page: 
3718 Comments
 
 
This article was written by a real thinking writer.I agree many of the with the solid points made by the writer
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work.
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed...
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cool you write, the information is very good and interesting, I'll give you a link to my site
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am jovial you take pride in what you write. It makes you stand way out from many other writers that can not push high-quality content like you
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Jerkzy is a free random adult cam chat platform that connects users with live performers through instant webcam matching. We built Jerkzy to deliver the excitement of live adult entertainment without the friction of signups, payments, or complicated interfaces.
Apr 7, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Watches for Men
thanks for sharing the valuable information https://tornado.store
Apr 6, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cape Royale is widely praised on property websites for its exclusive waterfront living concept and prestigious location in Sentosa Cove, one of Singapore’s most luxurious residential enclaves. The development features 302 spacious units with panoramic views of the South China Sea and marina,
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
If you are searching for reliable medical equipment, Manarti Exports is a trusted manufacturer in India. We offer a wide range of products, including surgical instruments, hospital furniture, and disposable items at competitive prices. Our priority is quality, safety, and meeting international standards. With quick delivery and dependable support, we proudly serve hospitals, clinics, and distributors across the worldwide.
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was pleasant to read because it kept things clear and practical. Looking forward to reading more like this.
Apr 3, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Every Camruletka chat is private, fast, and designed for natural communication. You're always in control—switch to the next person at any time or stay and chat as long as you want.
Apr 2, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
Apr 1, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 1, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I found this post very helpful as it made the topic approachable. Looking forward to reading more like this.
Mar 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 186  | 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.