WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 13
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

SERIES RETURN: For years, I watched every episode of Survivor. But my enthusiasm ran out a few years ago, about when this show’s novelty and imagination did the same. For a while, Survivor was able to keep things moving with inventive twists and inspired casting – but all of these “all-star” and “fan” retreads, and now re-retreads, just seem tired, and more than a little desperate. Survivor began 13 years ago, and has generated two cycles per season for most of its existence. Few TV series last that long, and there’s a reason. Hence, its inclusion here tonight isn’t so much a recommendation as a question: Isn’t it time Survivor gave up trying to “outlast” every other show on television?

 

 
  
 
 

Bravo, 8:00 p.m. ET

Consider this the Hugh Jackman sequel. The actor is returning to this series, and to the interviewee chair opposite James Lipton, to cover the most recent decade or so of his career. I have one question, however, before Lipton starts posing his: Since Jackman already has answered Lipton’s end-of-show stock questions about his favorite swear word and such, what will he be asked to do for an encore? Name his second-favorite obscenity?
 
  
 
 

ABC, 9:00 p.m. ET

Clive Bixby is back! Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day again on Modern Family, and Phil (Ty Burrell) once again trots out his role-playing alter ego to spice up things with his wife Claire (Julie Bowen). She, of course, has her own alter ego, Juliana – and tonight, once again, they try their hardest to go out in the real world, as Clive and Juliana, and “meet cute.” Good luck with that.
 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s new installment is called Earth From Space, and takes a long look (especially in terms of distance) at our planet, and its ecosystem, to show how closely everything is related. Also related: Since most TV signals these days are transmitted via satellite, it’s fair to say that if you tune in tonight, you’ll be watching Earth from Space… from space. Check local listings.
 
  
 
 

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

Not sure about whether to give this new series a third chance? Here’s one smart reason to do just that: Beginning tonight, Margo Martindale begins a recurring role as the new handler of Soviet sleeper agents Elizabeth and Phillip Jennings (Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys). Martindale, of course, won an Emmy for her riveting performance as Mags Bennett on Justified – so it’s worth checking in, for a while, just to see what kind of evil she can brew up with this new role.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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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.