MONDAY

DECEMBER 16

2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

This series’ final-season gimmick, basing the entire season around a single wedding weekend, may have been envisioned as the comedy equivalent of 24, but it’s managed to dissipate tension, not enhance it, by prolonging things. Tonight, at least, Marshall (Jason Segel) finally makes it to the same “destination wedding” destination as the rest of his best buddies – which is something. Now, kids, if only the “mother” would show up for good. Kids? Where’d you go, kids? I’m not finished with my story yet…

THE VOICE

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: The Season 5 cycle of this singing competition concludes this week with a two-parter: the final competition tonight, and the announcement of the winner tomorrow. If you’ve stayed away and want to peek back in at the finish line, here’s the last-minute lowdown. Three competitors remain, representing teens, twentysomethings and thirtysomethings, respectively: Jacquie Lee is 16, Tessanne Chin is 28, and Will Champlin is 30. Christina Aguilera’s team is represented by the young Lee, and Adam Levine’s team by the others. Three-time winning judge Blake Shelton has no stake in the finals this year, and neither does CeeLo Green.

RADIO DAYS

MGM HD, 8:00 p.m. ET

MGM HD’s month-long salute to Woody Allen continues tonight with two more prime-time Allen offerings. Both of tonight’s feature Mia Farrow, starting at 8 p.m. ET with Radio Days, Allen’s delightful reconstruction of the pre-television era. Watch (or listen) for perennial SNL announcer Don Pardo as the host of “Guess That Tune,” and Seth Green as Joe, a young stand-in for Allen himself. Then, at 10 p.m. ET, MGM presents 1990’s Alice, in which Farrow plays a Manhattan housewife who visits Chinatown and embarks on a bold voyage of self-discovery. Co-stars include Julie Kavner, also a co-star of Radio Days, and William Hurt and Joe Mantegna.

MOM

CBS, 9:30 p.m. ET

Just after seeing Allison Janney in her tender dramatic role in the season finale of Showtime’s Masters of Sex, now you can see her going for broad laughs, opposite French Stewart as her randy Bonnie dates his rude Chef Rudy. And by the way, tonight’s episode is directed by Jon Cryer, sliding over from another Chuck Lorre CBS sitcom, Two and a Half Men.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER TIME

Showtime, 9:40 p.m. ET

I haven’t yet seen the new Coen Brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis, that serves as the inspiration for this concert film (the subtitle of which is Celebrating the Music of ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’). But I have seen this special, and it’s fabulous. Oscar Isaac, who stars in the film, sings several numbers (including one, shown here, with Marcus Mumford), and other performers include Joan Baez and, a new treat for me, the Milk Carton Kids.

<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>

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)


Type in the verification word shown on the image.

Page: 1 of 255 | Go to page:

5084 Comments

Zonahoki28

Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us.

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

Great knowledge, do anyone mind merely reference back to it

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

Pretty good post. I have just stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed reading your blog posts very much. I am looking for new posts to get more precious info. Big thanks for the useful info.

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

This is my first time visit to your blog and I am very interested in the articles that you serve. Provide enough knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing useful and don't forget, keep sharing useful info:

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

I am glad to be a visitor of this unadulterated web site, thanks for this rare info!

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

It is somewhat fantastic, and yet check out the advice at this treat.

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

fantastic points altogether, you just gained emblem reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any certain?

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

fantastic points altogether, you just gained emblem reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any certain?

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

It is my first visit to your blog, and I am very impressed with the articles that you serve. Give adequate knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing useful material. I will be back for the more great post.

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

This is a fantastic website, thanks for sharing. There's no doubt i would fully rate it after i read what the idea about this article is. You did a nice

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

Your blog is too much amazing. I have found with ease what I was looking. Moreover, the content quality is awesome. Thanks for the nudge

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

Great knowledge, do anyone mind merely reference back to it

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

Sweet internet site , super pattern , real clean and employ genial .

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

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!

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post .

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

I am glad to be a visitor of this unadulterated web site, thanks for this rare info!

Oct 22, 2026 | Reply

Page: 1 of 255 | 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

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

MGM HD, 8:00 p.m. ET

CBS, 9:30 p.m. ET

Showtime, 9:40 p.m. ET

David Bianculli

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy