2021
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
2001
 
 
 
 
1998
 
 
 
 
1990
 
 
 
 
1989
 
 
 
 
1987
 
 
 
 
1985
 
 
 
 
1982
 
 
 
 
1980
 
 
 
SATURDAY
JULY 14
2018

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 
HARRY POTTER MARATHON

Syfy, USA, 7:30 a.m. ET

Syfy and USA present four of the Happy Potter films today, in chronological order, with more to come tomorrow night. The retrospective begins at 7:30 a.m. ET, simulcast on Syfy and USA, with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, from 2001. That’s followed at 10:50 a.m. ET by 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, then at 2:23 p.m. ET by 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, at 5 p.m. ET by 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, finishing at 8 p.m. ET with 2007’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (pictured).

 
  
 
 
2018 WIMBLEDON WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

ESPN, 9:00 a.m. ET

Two years ago, Serena Williams faced Angelique Kerber in the 2016 Wimbledon women’s championship, and won (pictured). Today they have a rematch – but in the meantime, Serena Williams has won the Australian Open while about two months pregnant, then retired temporarily, returning at this year’s French Open but dropping out with an injury. But now Serena is back at Wimbledon, and back in the final. If she wins, she’ll equal Margaret Court’s long-standing record of 24 career major titles, so history may be made, or at least duplicated, today. And if this match doesn’t start on time, it’s only because the men’s semifinal between long-time rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was stopped after three grueling sets, with Djokovic ahead two sets to one, and is schedule this morning. Tennis, anyone?

 
  
 
 
2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

Fox, 10:00 a.m. ET

Today is the third-place game of the 2018 World Cup, featuring the two teams that just missed the chance to play in tomorrow’s final. So it’s a game played for national and individual pride, and both teams have many reasons to be proud. Belgium started the tournament with a dominant 3-0 rout of Panama, and an equally muscular 5-2 win over Tunisia. Belgium then beat England 1-0, after which it embarked on a series of ultra-dramatic matches. It came from behind to beat Japan 3-2, then stunned the world by beating Brazil 2-1 before succumbing to France 1-0 in the semifinals. Now, in hopes of claiming third place, Belgium has a rematch with England, which had a thrilling run of its own. It beat Tunisia 2-1and trounced Panama 6-1 before losing to Belgium, then righted itself with a heart-stopping penalty kick win over Colombia. Next came a 2-0 victory over Sweden, followed by Wednesday’s dream-crushing 1-2 loss to Croatia. Both teams will be strategizing and playing to win here, with aggressive game plans – and players. Then, tomorrow, it’s France vs. Croatia. One last weekend of astoundingly entertaining World Cup soccer. Or football, depending upon the color of your passport.
 
  
 
 
BATTLE OF THE SEXES

HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

After all those real sports on TV today, how about some fake ones? This 2017 movie is a somewhat faithful, totally enjoyable recreation of the tennis match, and the media and social circus surrounding it, between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King in 1973. She was a woman’s tennis champion, he was a loudmouth middle-aged chauvinist tennis player from a previous era – and their match was, indeed, promoted by both sides as “the battle of the sexes.” Emma Stone plays King, Steve Carell plays Riggs, and King and Riggs, in the climax of this movie, play each other. Co-stars include Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming, Bill Pullman, and Elisabeth Shue.

 
  
 
 
THE 2000S: "THE PLATINUM AGE OF TELEVISION"

CNN, 9:00 p.m. ET

The next new episode of CNN’s The 2000s documentary miniseries arrives tomorrow. This is a repeat of last Sunday’s two-hour opener, covering TV in general, and such brilliant shows as Mad Men, The Sopranos, The West Wing, The Wire and Breaking Bad in particular. The installment’s title is The Platinum Age of Television, which  also is the title of my most recent book. And I’m in this documentary somewhere, too, so consider this a vanity Bianculli’s Best Bet if you must. But if not now, when? If not here, where? And if not me, who? (Or, alternatively: if not I, whom?)

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
QLTGK
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 186  | Go to page: 
3718 Comments
 
 
This article was written by a real thinking writer.I agree many of the with the solid points made by the writer
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work.
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed...
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cool you write, the information is very good and interesting, I'll give you a link to my site
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am jovial you take pride in what you write. It makes you stand way out from many other writers that can not push high-quality content like you
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Jerkzy is a free random adult cam chat platform that connects users with live performers through instant webcam matching. We built Jerkzy to deliver the excitement of live adult entertainment without the friction of signups, payments, or complicated interfaces.
Apr 7, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Watches for Men
thanks for sharing the valuable information https://tornado.store
Apr 6, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cape Royale is widely praised on property websites for its exclusive waterfront living concept and prestigious location in Sentosa Cove, one of Singapore’s most luxurious residential enclaves. The development features 302 spacious units with panoramic views of the South China Sea and marina,
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
If you are searching for reliable medical equipment, Manarti Exports is a trusted manufacturer in India. We offer a wide range of products, including surgical instruments, hospital furniture, and disposable items at competitive prices. Our priority is quality, safety, and meeting international standards. With quick delivery and dependable support, we proudly serve hospitals, clinics, and distributors across the worldwide.
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was pleasant to read because it kept things clear and practical. Looking forward to reading more like this.
Apr 3, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Every Camruletka chat is private, fast, and designed for natural communication. You're always in control—switch to the next person at any time or stay and chat as long as you want.
Apr 2, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
Apr 1, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 1, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I found this post very helpful as it made the topic approachable. Looking forward to reading more like this.
Mar 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 186  | 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.
 
 
New From TVWW

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up
By Alex Strachan
 
 
 
 
The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation
By David Hinckley
 
 
 
 
Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'
By Ed Bark
 
 
 
 
Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver
By Christy Slewinski
 
 
 
 
'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy
By Noel Holston