MONDAY
JANUARY 16
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

Returning for the new year, this series continues to move forward, giving power to some of its nascent villains and taking power from others. In the fall sequence of shows, we saw the rise of the woman who would become Poison Ivy and the increased derangement of the man who will become the Riddler. And starting with tonight’s episode, there are more tests, travails, and power grabs by the man some people already are calling the Penguin.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s episode takes place at the 1893 Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair. The promo ads trumpet an appearance by Harry Houdini, but there are other things from this particular fairground well worth celebrating. The world’s first Ferris wheel, for example, and a public exhibition by Eadweard Muybridge of his zoopraxiscope, showing some of his motion studies of animals, and naked women, in motion. And Helen Keller, who was taken to the Exposition by her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Oh, and a mayoral assassination to boot – how many will Timeless find time to include?

 
  
 
 

ABC, 10:01 p.m. ET

This is a warning, not a recommendation. I threatened this last week, and tonight it arrives: The first installment of tonight’s Big Fan doubleheader, in which celebrities are pitted against fans to see who knows more about that celebrity, features Kim Kardashian West. One of the rotating slogans of TV Worth Watching used to be “No Kardashians,” and that unofficial edict still holds, at least in spirit. But for Kim Kardashian West herself, Big Fan, in which the entire show is built around questions asked about her, just might be the apotheosis of her life to date. So long as no one asks her the definition of apotheosis. The Big Fan centerpiece during the second episode shown tonight: Frozen and The Good Place co-star Kristen Bell.

 
  
 
 

MSNBC, 11:00 p.m. ET

Tonight on MSNBC, we have an intimate interview special, spending time with a man who is striving to demonstrate how to maintain dignity while losing the power that once made him so prominent and influential. Oh, and President Barack Obama, in the last week of his presidency, is here, too – interviewed by former NBC News anchor, and now MSNBC mainstay, Brian Williams.

 
  
 
 
 
 
Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!
 
 
 
 
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3808 Comments
 
 
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
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan 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.