SATURDAY
MAY 13
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Cinemax, 8:00 p.m. ET

Jason Bourne may have a bad memory, but he should know he’s been dealing with his missing past, his dangerous present, and his uncertain future for quite a while now. The first time Matt Damon portrayed the amnesiac super-spy was in 2002’s The Bourne Identity. Following that, Damon has reprised the role, and the quest to learn about his past, his mission and his enemies, in 2004’s The Bourne Supremacy, 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum, and his latest cinematic run down memory lane, 2016’s Jason Bourne, which Cinemax presents tonight. At this rate, if Damon does one more entry in this particular movie franchise, I’d like to suggest an appropriate title: Bourne Again.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM is among the best places to see classic movies, as they’re shown original ratio, in their best available restored condition, and without edits or commercial interruption. That makes it an ideal place to watch tonight’s prime-time showing of Elia Kazan’s 1955 classic version of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, which stars James Dean, Julie Harris, Burl Ives and Jo Van Fleet.

 
  
 
 

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

In tonight’s new Doctor Who episode, the writers manage to combine two popular genres, in an episode that isn’t, but could be, called “Zombies in Space.” No kidding. Or, maybe, “Zombies on a Spaceship.” Either way…

 
  
 
 

Cinemax, 10:05 p.m. ET

Now more than ever. This 1976 Alan J. Pakula film, with screenplay by William Goldman based on the book and Washington Post reporting by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, has been one of my favorite movies ever since it was released. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, playing Woodward and Bernstein as they unravel the twisted but crucially important threads of the Richard Nixon White House scandal eventually deemed Watergate, are fabulous – as is virtually every actor, and every scene, in this perfect movie. And newspapers are, once again, as important a part of the fabric of democracy as they were in the Watergate era. Watch and remember. And reflect.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

Earlier this week in Manhattan, Melissa McCarthy – who’s the host of tonight’s SNL – was seen, and photographed, propelling herself through city streets, right around Trump Tower, on a “mobile podium” dressed as White House press spokesperson Sean Spicer. And after the week of events we’ve all dealt with, this week’s show had better be up to the occasion. McCarthy will be, that’s a given. But the writing, tonight, needs to be especially sharp. Our country desperately needs it, and deserves it.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
AUUNV
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 225  | Go to page: 
4483 Comments
 
 
Adams
Checking out classic television recommendations and archival TV reviews is always a great way to discover hidden gems and nostalgic shows to watch. Having dedicated guides makes finding quality entertainment so much easier. While discussing classic media and online entertainment options with friends recently, someone also recommended checking out platforms like [thorfortune](https://thorfortunes.it/) for a smooth and engaging user experience. Thanks for sharing this helpful update!
Aug 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Robin_B
Great breakdown! Having well-written television like this makes evening downtime so much more engaging. When I'm taking a break between episodes or just relaxing after a long day of screen time, I usually unwind for a bit with a few casual rounds on [chicken road](https://chickenroad.gr.com/) before starting the next season. Really appreciate the thoughtful recommendations on this site!
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini benar-benar bajingan, berbohong kepada orang-orang dan mencuri uang seperti penipu kotor yang sebenarnya.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para bajingan penipu ini benar-benar sampah, pembohong keji yang mencuri dari orang-orang yang tidak bersalah. Persetan dengan para penipu kotor ini dan permainan penipuan mereka yang menyedihkan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Layanan palsu, ulasan palsu, janji palsu—100% sampah penipuan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu sejati, persetan denganmu, jalang!
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu berkualitas rendah tanpa integritas dan penuh kebohongan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 225  | 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.