THURSDAY

NOVEMBER 17

2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

Given the mental acuity of most of the characters on this clever sitcom, it’s no surprise that one of them, in tonight’s episode, is awarded a MacArthur Genius Fellowship. What’s surprising, perhaps, is the identity of the recipient. Also surprising, and delightful: a guest star appearance by Stephen Hawking, again showing up on this sitcom to play himself.

UNDERCOVER

BBC America, 8:00 p.m. ET

MINISERIES CONCLUSION: Parts 4-6. Last night’s three episodes took us deep into the past of these characters, and deep into their respective rabbit holes. It’s clear, by now, that some of these people are less, or more, than what they seem – and tonight’s concluding episodes make the most of those realizations. I neglected to mention yesterday, by the way, that Undercover is written by Peter Moffat, who also wrote Criminal Justice, the original British miniseries on which HBO’s The Night Of was based. Sophie Okonedo of Hotel Rwanda stars. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower.

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

ABC, 10:00 p.m. ET

FALL FINALE: Just a note, not a recommendation: I’m not very impressed with the idea of a “fall finale,” which basically just serves to remind viewers that the show is going into hibernation for the holidays. Then again, I’m not very impressed with this show in general, which all season has teased a “mystery” out of the identity of the body under the sheet. Tonight – abra cadaver! – the body is revealed. But frankly, my dear, I don’t give a sheet.

SOUNDBREAKING: STORIES FROM THE CUTTING EDGE OF RECORDED MUSIC

PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

Part 4 of 5. Tonight’s installment on the evolution of recorded music pays attention to masters of the studio recording. Not masters as in master tapes – masters as in master musicians. So get ready for, among others, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix. For a full review, see David Hinckley’s All Along the Watchtower. Check local listings.

MARS

National Geographic, 10:00 p.m. ET

In tonight’s installment of this miniseries, which is part documentary and part scripted fictional elements, we get closer and closer to the planet of Mars itself. For a full review, see David Hinckley’s All Along the Watchtower.

<< 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Email (required) (will not be published)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 251 | Go to page:

5019 Comments

Jpbosku

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

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next pos

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

A superbly written article, if only all bloggers offered the same content as you, the internet would be a far better place

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

Jpbosku

Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

I am hoping the same best effort from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me.

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

Online Business

This web site really has all the information I wanted about this subject and didn't know who to ask

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

??????

" '??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ? ??? ? ???? ?? ?? ????. ??? ???? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?????. ?????! ??? ??, ??? ? ???,? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ? ????? ? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???. ????? ???? ???? ??? ??????.

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article. I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article.

Oct 15, 2026 | Reply

?????

Very good topic, similar texts are I do not know if they are as good as your work out. These you will then see the most important thing, the application provides you a website a powerful important internet page:

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

??????

Nice work i love your work keep it up.....

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

??? ??? ??

I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It's a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Superb work!

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

?????

Excellent post.I want to thank you for this informative read, I really appreciate sharing this great post.Keep up your work

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. Thanks..

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

Impressive work on the essayist's part.

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

??????

After research a couple of of the weblog posts in your website now, and I really like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website record and will probably be checking back soon.

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

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

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

Very useful info. Hope to see more posts soon!.

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

I really like the new design. It is a lot easier to use and visually attractive.

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

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

Oct 14, 2026 | Reply

Zonahoki28

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 14, 2026 | Reply

Page: 1 of 251 | 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

BBC America, 8:00 p.m. ET

ABC, 10:00 p.m. ET

PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

National Geographic, 10:00 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