TUESDAY
MARCH 14
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

The contestants continue, this season, to both surprise and impress with their song choices, and especially with their individual interpretations of those songs. From last week, one case in point whose originality lingers as a sterling example: Taylor Alexander, doing a very country, very male version of Cher’s “Believe.” It was good enough, and unusual enough, to land him on Adam Levine’s team. This is the final week of the audition round, and last night, once again, provided lots of entertainment, talent, and, yes, emotional moments.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Actually, they should have called this 1971 movie Bree – because Bree Daniels, the call girl played by Jane Fonda, is the real center of this Alan J. Pakula film. Fonda won the Oscar, and deserved to, as the prostitute who is among the targets of a killer of ladies of the night. Klute is the name of the detective, John Klute, assigned to solve the case and protect Bree – he’s played by Donald Sutherland, who’s excellent here, too, but Klute is Fonda’s movie all the way. Three years after playing the space-age vixen in Barbarella, she wowed everyone with her Klute role as a prostitute so jaded, she glances at her watch even as she fakes the sounds of pleasure.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: This series, the NBC spiritual predecessor to such heartwarming family dramas as Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, concludes its first season with an episode that manages to wrest emotion even out of its flashback scenes, though we know how they will, and won’t, turn out. Credit the writing… and the acting, including that of singer Mandy Moore.
 
  
 
 

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

FX sent out the first three episodes of this fifth season for preview – and they’re really, really good. Tonight’s episode explores more of the central couple’s new cover identities as an airline pilot and hostess, getting into some amazingly relevant discussions about Russian and American ideals. It also unveils what I suspect will be the year’s dominant story arc, and also greets a few familiar returning faces, while elevating the dramatic ante in personal stories set in both the U.S. and Russia. And by spending more time in Russia this season, The Americans gets to explore new territory, emotionally as well as geographically.

 
  
 
 

Spike, 10:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: On my book tour a few months ago, one of my stops in Los Angeles was Adam Carolla’s podcast. I wasn’t surprised by how much fun I had there, but I was surprised by two things. One, how many people I told afterward were fans of Carolla’s podcast, from the waiter at Rao’s to my own son. And two, how Carolla’s home-base headquarters looked as much like a carpentry warehouse as anything else. Now I know why. And Carolla is so comfortable and honest when performing live, the idea of a live show about construction – and has anyone attempted that before? – should really be in his wheelhouse. Maybe he’ll even build a wheelhouse. But whatever he builds live, I expect him to nail it…

 
  
 
 

NBC, 10:01 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: This is not a recommendation. I love John Lithgow, and the premise for this show, sight unseen, sounds like a home run: In this faux crime documentary, Lithgow plays a Robert Durst-type accused murderer, surrounded by a somewhat incompetent legal team. But that’s sight unseen. Once you’ve seen it, as I have, it’s no longer promising. It breaks that promise, by being way too obvious, and nowhere near funny enough. I blame the writing and direction much more than the cast – but if you’re planning to watch this, don’t bother. For full reviews, see Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes and David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower.
 
  
 
 

Showtime, 12:00 a.m. ET

As we ramp up to the return of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks this summer, I recommend soaking up many of his other, later efforts – including this haunting but baffling 1997 film, in which Patricia Arquette plays two roles – a femme fatale blonde, and, in another sort of reality, a femme fatale brunette. And Robert Blake plays… well, I don’t know who or what the hell he plays, but he sure does commit to 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)
 
JRJSC
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 144  | Go to page: 
2874 Comments
 
 
Feedback
Korea’s online slot site rankings and slot machine game information
https://rcgormangallery.com/kr-33/
Dec 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
"all the time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear their motive, and
that is also happening with this post which I
am reading now."
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
av19
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Pelayanan paling anjing yang pernah kami alami. Setelah uang masuk, sikap berubah total. Komplain diabaikan, solusi tidak ada, dan tanggung jawab nol besar.
Dec 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hei bajingan, pergilah dan tiduri kuda yang kau tunggangi itu, lalu tinggalkan komunitas cinta dan damai yang berfokus pada TV ini.

Hormat saya,

Dave
Dec 18, 2025
 
 
 
You made some decent points there. I looked on the net to the issue and found most people may go as well as using your site.
Dec 16, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
FRom your lips to GOD'S ears mother-fucka!!!!!!!

I want to see this little corner of the internet become THE go-to site for everything and anything that has to do with TV. Some of you may know that TV is my middle name. Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!

Marry Chritmas,

Dave
Dec 16, 2025
 
 
 
Karakoe stands out as a truly impressive platform, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience for its users. The quality, creativity, and attention to detail are evident in every aspect, making it both reliable and engaging. Whether it’s the user-friendly design or the consistent performance, Karakoe delivers excellent value and leaves a positive, lasting impression.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
hey! I just want to give an full-size thumbs up for the pleasant info you've got right here in this put up.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This Post is providing valuable and unique information; I know that you take a time and effort to make a awesome article
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out any person with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the web, somebody with a little originality
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Excellent points?I would notice that as someone who in reality doesn’t write on blogs a lot (actually, this can be my first publish), I don’t assume the
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out any person with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the web, somebody with a little originality
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Very efficiently written information. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work. For sure i will check out more posts. This site seems to get a good amount of visitor
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 144  | 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.