2021
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
2001
 
 
 
 
1998
 
 
 
 
1990
 
 
 
 
1989
 
 
 
 
1987
 
 
 
 
1985
 
 
 
 
1982
 
 
 
 
1980
 
 
 
SUNDAY
JANUARY 17
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 
NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VS. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Fox, 1:00 p.m. ET

We’ve already had one divisional game this weekend end in regulation with an astounding play, pushing the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals into overtime. It was a wild game, all around – and perhaps one of today’s two games will equal it. First up: The Seattle Seahawks, with its top defense, against the Carolina Panthers, with MVP frontrunner quarterback Cam Newton.

 
  
 
 
AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND: PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS. DENVER BRONCOS

CBS, 4:30 p.m. ET

The second game of the day, between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos, might be considered the Battle of the Beaten-Up QBs. On one side, the seriously hurt Ben Roethlisberger, with a newly injured throwing shoulder. On the other side, Peyton Manning, expected to make his first start in two months. Whether his counterpart in Pittsburgh will be able to start, or even play, will pretty much be determined after the coin toss.

 
  
 
 
THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH

Showtime, 8:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PEMIERE: This new documentary series takes to the presidential campaign trail to focus on candidates and issues, in ways that aren’t necessarily reflected in mainstream media – and which, in tonight’s premiere, is expected to explain why so many candidates are showing up on so many late-night talk shows. Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz are scheduled to be the focus of this opener, but that could change.

 
  
 
 
ANGIE TRIBECA MARATHON

TBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: This may be unorthodox, even crazy, but here it is. For the first time in TV history, so far as I know, a cable network is inaugurating a new series by presenting it the way streaming services have started to do: an entire season available all at once. Except that on cable TV, that means scheduling one episode after the other, all night long. Rashida Jones from Parks and Recreation stars as the title character in this crime-show spoof, a sort of distaff update of Police Squad! It’s created by Steve and Nancy Carell, and there are 10 episodes in Season 1, and TBS is showing them sequentially, then repeating them, in an overall 25-hour, commercial-free marathon. For a full story, see David Hinckley’s All Along the Watchtower.

 
  
 
 
2016 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

The latest debate among presidential hopefuls, this time on the Democratic side, is presented by NBC News, in association with YouTube. This means this debate will be moderated by Lester Holt and Andrea Mitchell, so expect good questions – if not necessarily good answers.

 
  
 
 
THE GOOD WIFE

CBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Eli (Alan Cumming) square off yet again. This week, Eli is offering a truce, because of new information connected to the campaign, but Alicia is having little of it.

 
  
 
 
MASTERPIECE: "DOWNTON ABBEY"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

The wedding is here. Or is it? It’s supposed to be. But with this family, predictability is a tricky thing to predict. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 
MERCY STREET

PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: It’s PBS’s first home-grown period drama series in quite a while, and tonight it arrives. Josh Radnor, formerly of How I Met Your Mother, plays a surgeon during the Civil War. Consider it The Knick: The Next Generation. For a full review, see Ed Bark’s Uncle Barky’s Bytes, and for a feature story, see David Hinckley’s All Along the Watchtower.

 
  
 
 
BILLIONS

Showtime, 10:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: Two terrific actors, Damien Lewis and Paul Giamatti, star in this new drama about New York power brokers. Lewis plays a hedge-fund billionaire who was lucky enough to evade the fate of his company colleagues during 9/11, and Giamatt plays the government prosecutor out to get him. Watch for Maggie Siff, formerly of Sons of Anarchy, as the woman whose life intersects theirs. For full reviews, see Ed Bark’s Uncle Barky’s Bytes and David Hinckley’s All Along the Watchtower.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
DCYRG
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 191  | Go to page: 
3803 Comments
 
 
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
 
 
Ini adalah halaman penipuan lain yang dijalankan oleh manusia-manusia serakah, pembohong, dan sampah masyarakat. Hindari dengan segala cara.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia yang menyedihkan, mencari uang dengan menipu orang jujur. Persetan dengan sampah ini.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Practical stream
I should say this is impressive. The blog shares valuable and clear information. Really enjoyed reading this and also found (music license for business)[https://practical.stream/] helpful for business music solutions.
Apr 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I truly like you're composing style, incredible data, thankyou for posting
Apr 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 191  | 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