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.

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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.

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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

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