FRIDAY
OCTOBER 17
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Fox, 9:00 p.m. ET

In a same-week repeat of Monday’s episode, Jim Gordon gets closer to the truth about the seediness pervading Gotham – but farther away from his wife, after a tense argument. Meanwhile, the seductive and evil Mooney opens her nightclub to auditions, because she’s seeking a seductive and evil minion of her own. It was TV worth watching Monday, and the same goes for Friday.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

It’s no longer summertime, but tonight it’s time for “Summertime.” The PBS Fall Arts Festival presents the San Francisco Opera’s rendition of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, starring Eric Owens as Porgy and Laquita Mitchell as Bess. The musical with an all-black cast, based on the play by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, opened on Broadway in 1935 – and was performed there, most recently, in a Tony-winning 2012 revival starring Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald. Now we get to see how the West Coast performs it, in a TV production that can be considered very Off-Off-Broadway. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

Cinemax, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: This compelling, hit-the-ground-running series – the first genuine quality hit from Cinemax – completes its first season, with a momentum that ought to carry it easily into Season 2. For a full review of the series, see Eric Gould’s Cold Light Reader.
 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

Bill Maher’s guests tonight are of secondary importance. The real headline is how he’ll handle recent headlines in his monologue – not headlines about the Ebola virus, or the latest midterm election tactics, but headlines related to his most recent Real Time show. That’s the one in which Ben Affleck took umbrage to remarks by author Sam Harris and by Maher himself, leading to a very heated discussion about Muslims and bigotry. This is one live monologue that will have lots of people paying close attention – even executives at HBO.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 11:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: “Eight cities, eight episodes, eight songs.” Dave Grohl, formerly of Nirvana and now of Foo Fighters, concocted an absurdly ambitious concept for the group’s next album. Record each song in a different studio, in a different city – and don’t write the song until you get to that city, absorbing its culture while retelling the history of its local music scene. And he emerged not only with Sonic Highways the album, but Sonic Highways the HBO documentary series: eight episodes, each taking place in a different city as Grohl seeks out musicians, producers and musicologists, and ending with the song written in that city and performed by the Foo Fighters. Collect them all. Trade with friends.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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.