FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 14
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

The well-known, and daunting, statistic relevant to this entrepreneurial series is that an estimated 90 percent of all new businesses fail in their first year. Perhaps an acute awareness of that is what’s behind tonight’s episode, a cheery celebration at having reached episode number 100 in the cutthroat world of network television. Tonight, for the first time on this series, all six sharks will be swimming in the same TV pool simultaneously. They will not, however, be equipped with laser beams.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1957 Ingmar Bergman drama is a bleak, ponderous, yet ultimately haunting and perceptive study of the human condition, told by focusing on a very limited set of characters in a narrative containing more thoughts than action. In other words, it’s a classic Ingmar Bergman film. And a classic, period.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is the opening guest on tonight’s show, and his take on the new makeup of Capitol Hill, and his own future political plans, should prove quite interesting – Maher is a much more pointed interviewer than many people presume. And the other guests on this installment are noteworthy, too, and include the always outspoken Andrew Sullivan and the always entertaining (Well, except on Fox’s Mulaney, but that’s not his fault) Martin Short.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

Jack Nicholson was an actor ablaze in this 1970 character study, playing his role of the talented but tormented pianist (hence the title) with the energy and ferocity of a caged tiger. The scene of him playing the piano in the back of a truck as it rolls down the highway is memorable – but no scene is more iconic than the one in which he rebels against the arbitrary rules at a highway diner by demonstrating a very novel way to place his food order the way he wants it. “I’ll have a chicken salad sandwich…”

 
  
 
 

HBO, 11:00 p.m. ET

Earlier this week, you saw Dave Grohl performing live on stage at HBO’s Concert for Valor. Tonight, he performs again – a new song, inspired by the things he heard and saw while tracing the history of modern music in Los Angeles. Stops along the way include The Doors, NWA, Joan Jett and the Runaways and The Eagles, so this installment of Grohl’s very personal music appreciation course is wide-ranging indeed.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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3810 Comments
 
 
Teaching English online has become a flexible, rewarding career path—and you don’t need a university degree to get started. By focusing on the right certifications, tools, and platforms, anyone with strong English skills can build a thriving online teaching business.
Apr 25, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Apr 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article is packed with insights! I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making it so engaging. Well done!
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Such an amazing read! Your ability to explain things in a simple yet detailed way is truly impressive.
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey sweetie,

It's not that complicated! It's TV!!! Do what I do!!!!! Grab a six pack of Miller Lite, crack the first one open and drink it. Rinse and repeat!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!!!

Just let the TV flow over you.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

Dave
Apr 21, 2026
 
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was well explained since it stayed concise and clear. Thanks for sharing this insight.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Practical stream
A thoughtful reflection on TV criticism’s evolution and legacy—blending nostalgia, personal memories, and appreciation for creators who shaped meaningful viewing experiences.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Situs web ini benar-benar penipuan, jangan percayai mereka.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.
Apr 20, 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.