SATURDAY

DECEMBER 13

2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 2011 drama stars Bradley Cooper, now on Broadway as The Elephant Man, as an everyday person suddenly capable of accessing 100 percent of his brain power. This movie went nowhere at the box office – but earlier this year, a similar plot provided Scarlett Johannson with a major global hit as the star of Lucy. Compare and contrast.

PETER PAN LIVE!

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

I was really, really looking forward to this new NBC live production of Peter Pan – and then I saw it. NBC is repeating it anyway, but I can’t really recommend it with much enthusiasm, other than as a rare TV event. The direction didn’t help, and neither did Christopher Walken’s Captain Hook. Allison Williams, in the title role, was questioned in advance as the potential weak link, but ended up being one of the stronger elements. Still, here it is again.

MY FAIR LADY

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

No disrespect to her many onstage and offstage collaborators, but Audrey Hepburn, as cockney turned society darling Eliza Doolittle, makes this 1964 musical version of Pygmalion such a roaring, singing success. Even though NBC is countering tonight with a repeat of its Peter Pan Live! telecast, if you’re in the taste for musicals, this is the one to watch.

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW

BBC America, 10:00 p.m. ET

This week’s new show features another amazingly diverse celebrity couch: Birdman Michael Keaton, Sir Ian McKellen (a.k.a. Gandalf), chef Jamie Oliver, and One Direction.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

For me, watching Saturday Night Live is a force of habit – but tonight, it’s more like a force of Hobbit. Martin Freeman, star of that film series, as well as of BBC’s original The Office series and the FX remake of Fargo, is the guest host. And the musical artist this week is Charli XCX.

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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

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Birger Samuelsson

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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

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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

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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

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Ingeborg Jacobsson

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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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

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