SATURDAY

DECEMBER 16

2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

BBC America, 9:00 a.m. ET

Whenever I travel to another country, I like to check out the local TV and watch what passes for entertainment there. In Germany, it’s very serious. In England, it’s much more bizarre and oddly comforting than you might suspect. I first watched a British baking show over there – and also watched a darts tournament, and was captivated. Now you can see why, as BBC America packages the current World Championship Darts contest for U.S. consumption. And don’t imagine grizzled old Brits in a darkened pub. This is more like a combination of a cage match with pointy projectiles, and a circus-atmosphere chicken wings eating contest.

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

AMC, 8:00 p.m. ET

This is one movie that’s appropriate to show any time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, because that’s when it takes place. The setting: New York City. The plot: a department-store Santa, played by Edmund Gwenn, claims to be the real deal – and a young girl, played in this 1947 holiday film by a sweet and tiny Natalie Wood, believes him. Maureen O’Hara and John Payne co-star. The store, by the way, is Macy’s, and this movie, over the decades, has generated more free publicity, and good will, for the store and its annual Thanksgiving parade and Christmas festivities that there’s probably no real way to calculate it.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1952 musical probably is the best movie musical ever made, and has the added bonus of telling the story of Hollywood’s transition from silent pictures to the sound era. I just showed it again in my film class, as I do every semester, after teaching all about silent movies. It’s such a fun transition, and Debbie Reynolds, who was 19 when she filmed it, is about the age of my students, so they tend to relate to that as well. And then, of course, there’s Gene Kelly and the spectacularly staged title number, which is nothing less than a song-and-dance ode to joy.

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW

BBC America, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s guests include Jessica Chastain, Jack Black, Rebel Wilson, Dawn French, Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. Now that’s a guest roster. And it’s one couch, no waiting…

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

Tonight’s guest host is Kevin Hart, who also can be seen earlier (and taped, from earlier this week) on tonight’s The Graham Norton Show. Musical guest: the Foo Fighters.

<< 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 145 | Go to page:

2883 Comments

lsm99bet

I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts.

Dec 24, 2025 | Reply

??????

Amazing post! Karaoke is a fantastic way to bond with friends and family.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi mesum

Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pemerintah Indo

Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pemerintah Indo

Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pelecehan Anak

Para penipu ini pantas untuk diungkap kebohongan dan kebusukan mereka.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Persetan denganmu

Tidak ada yang nyata di sini. Hanya omong kosong penuh tipu daya dari orang-orang serakah.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

lsm9999

Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign.

Dec 21, 2025 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

I don't know what you're smoking Ja-moke, but please pass that pipe over here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

SEriously, we're here to talk about TV, seriously. I am the Professor Emeritus of TV.

And that is all.

Dave

Dec 21, 2025

login lsm99

Your Site is very nice, and it's very helping us this post is unique and interesting, thank you for sharing this awesome information. and visit our blog site also.

Dec 19, 2025 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

your letter was perfectly fine until that last phrase.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

MY TV WEBSITE, THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD, IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOU TO SHILL YOUR SHITTY BLOG!!!!!

Please delete your post.

Merry Christmas,

Dave

Dec 20, 2025

Feedback

Korea’s online slot site rankings and slot machine game information
https://rcgormangallery.com/kr-33/

Dec 19, 2025 | Reply

jasa backlink judi

"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

Apk Nonton Bokep

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

Pad-mount transformer

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

Page: 1 of 145 | 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

BBC America, 9:00 a.m. ET

AMC, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

BBC America, 10:00 p.m. ET

NBC, 11:29 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