SATURDAY
JULY 15
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1942 romantic comedy is a great newspaper movie, a great relationship movie, and a great movie, period. It stars Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn as reporters with very different specialties and interests – she’s an international public affairs reporter, and he’s a sportswriter – who feud, compete, and, of course, fall in love. When the movie was released, the hard-to-please critic Bosley Crowther raved about it, calling Woman of the Year “as warming as a Manhattan cocktail and as juicy as a porterhouse steak.” And tonight, as part of The Essentials canon, we’ll hear similar accolades from Alec Baldwin and his guest, Tina Fey – whose enthusiasm for this movie is both understandable and heartwarming.
 
  
 
 

BBC America, 10:00 p.m. ET

One of the clones most recently introduced on this series was Krystal, a caricature character – blonde, self-obsessed, hair-and-makeup-consumed – whom Tatiana Maslany somehow has made not only believable, but touching. Krystal has been absent for all but a few seconds this season, but tonight she resurfaces, in a story line that may provide a key piece of the puzzle for the other clone sisters.

 
  
 
 

CNN, 10:00 p.m. ET

This is a bit selfish to point out, but it’s also an exciting viewing opportunity I never thought CNN would provide. In every decade the network has decided to examine as a documentary miniseries, starting with The Sixties, CNN has opened each miniseries with an episode divided to that era’s television. Tonight, beginning with the “The One About TV” installment that opened The Nineties last Sunday, CNN presents them all, in reverse order, in a mini-marathon, presenting the TV-centered opening episodes from The Nineties, The Eighties, The Seventies, and The Sixties. The only reason it’s selfish to point out is that I’m in all of them – but I promise, the opportunity to see 40 years of TV history encapsulated so concisely, and so entertainingly, is worth having to put up with me every now and then.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

This is a repeat episode from February, but it’s well worth revisiting. The guest host is Alec Baldwin – and five months have elapsed in Trumpland since then, so Baldwin’s appearance, as his Trump impression, may seem almost like nostalgia for a simpler time. Musical guest: Ed Sheeran.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
GDSJQ
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 249  | Go to page: 
4978 Comments
 
 
You there, this is really good post here. Thanks for taking the time to post such valuable information. Quality content is what always gets the visitors coming
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You…are…my…hero!!! I cant believe something like this exists on the internet! Its so true, so honest, and more than that you dont sound like an idiot! Finally, someone who knows how to talk about a subject without sounding like a kid who didnt get that bike he wanted for Christmas.
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
thank you for your interesting infomation
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is also a very good post which I really enjoyed reading. It is not every day that I have the possibility to see something like this..
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You actually make it look so easy with your performance but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never comprehend. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am so pleased I situated your blog site, I actually situated you by mistake, while I was taking a look at on google for another point, Anyways I am below now in addition to additionally would certainly just like to insist give thanks to for an outstanding blog post along with an all-around entertaining internet site
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thankyou for taking the time to write this it was a great read. Good job!
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I recently found many useful information in your website especially this blog page. Among the lots of comments on your articles. Thanks for sharing
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I truly like you're composing style, incredible data, thankyou for posting
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
That is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching about that mather. Virtually any method many thanks in addition to i had endeavor to promote your own article in to delicius nevertheless it is apparently a dilemma using your information sites can you please recheck the idea. thanks once more
Oct 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is a great article, Given such a great amount of information in it, These kind of articles keeps the clients enthusiasm for the site, and continue sharing more ...
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the leisure here! Keep up the good work. I have been meaning to write something like this on my website and you have given me an idea.
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me. I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I truly like you're composing style, incredible data, thankyou for posting.
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Impressive web site, Distinguished feedback that I can tackle. Im moving forward and may apply to my current job as a  pet sitter, which is very enjoyable, but I need to additional  expand. Regards
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you for taking the time to share with us
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information..
Oct 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 249  | 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.