TUESDAY
DECEMBER 17
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

IFC, 8:00 p.m. ET

Made 20 years ago, this movie version of the classic Sixties TV series flipped the central dynamic unintentionally, but very effectively, making this one of the better TV-to-film efforts ever produced. On TV, David Janssen’s Richard Kimble ran away with the show (in one sense, literally). But in this movie, though we root for Harrison Ford’s Kimble, it’s Tommy Lee Jones as his pursuing adversary who really keeps things moving. And moving. And moving even faster.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Made in 1949, this holiday romance is building, year by year, into one of the films considered part of the annual Christmas movie canon. It stars Robert Mitchum as a sales clerk at a department store, and Janet Leigh as a corporate spy who shops at his place to check out the competition – and they end up checking out each other instead. For both leads, the roles were substantial changes of pace. Mitchum, known as a hard-boiled film noir tough guy, plays it sweeter and meeker here – while Leigh, a full 11 years before Psycho, plays her young war widow, a mother, by going for real emotions rather than glamorous facades.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Last night, finalist Tessanne Chin and her coach, Adam Levine, pulled off something lots of prime-time shows, from The Voice and American Idol to Fame, have attempted but failed in recent years: providing a strong, original take on a Beatles song. The song was “Let It Be,” and it was solid throughout, though it was the final shift to a reggae beat that propelled it to a higher stratosphere. Will that performance be enough to earn her this year’s title? Listen, do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell?...
 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

The motivation for this two-hour PBS special is no mystery, and the only thing that’s afoot is a patently obvious exercise in cross-promotion. PBS presents Masterpiece Mystery!, which has a new season of Sherlock returning next year – so why not spend two hours celebrating Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous literary creation as the father of modern forensics? Well, because that’s far too much TV time to assert a simple point – and, besides, it’s arguable as a post hoc fallacy of the greatest order. There’s some interesting information on hand here, making this a more watchable, and less reprehensible, promotional exercise than NBC’s Dracula-pushing Why We Heart Vampires. But still…  Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

These year-end reviews by Bryant Gumbel, in which he gathers his correspondents to revisit their, and the year’s, best sports stories, always are entertaining. Included this year: a look back at Bernard Goldberg’s interview with Mike Tyson, who suddenly stopped their conversation, about the death of Tyson’s child, with a quietly spoken but firm, “You have to go.” Goldberg calls it “one of the most chilling” moments of his career, but it captured, on camera, the unpredictable volatility and emotional intensity that is Mike Tyson, inside or outside the ring.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
RDYIV
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 186  | Go to page: 
3718 Comments
 
 
This article was written by a real thinking writer.I agree many of the with the solid points made by the writer
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work.
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed...
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cool you write, the information is very good and interesting, I'll give you a link to my site
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am jovial you take pride in what you write. It makes you stand way out from many other writers that can not push high-quality content like you
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Jerkzy is a free random adult cam chat platform that connects users with live performers through instant webcam matching. We built Jerkzy to deliver the excitement of live adult entertainment without the friction of signups, payments, or complicated interfaces.
Apr 7, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Watches for Men
thanks for sharing the valuable information https://tornado.store
Apr 6, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cape Royale is widely praised on property websites for its exclusive waterfront living concept and prestigious location in Sentosa Cove, one of Singapore’s most luxurious residential enclaves. The development features 302 spacious units with panoramic views of the South China Sea and marina,
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
If you are searching for reliable medical equipment, Manarti Exports is a trusted manufacturer in India. We offer a wide range of products, including surgical instruments, hospital furniture, and disposable items at competitive prices. Our priority is quality, safety, and meeting international standards. With quick delivery and dependable support, we proudly serve hospitals, clinics, and distributors across the worldwide.
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was pleasant to read because it kept things clear and practical. Looking forward to reading more like this.
Apr 3, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Every Camruletka chat is private, fast, and designed for natural communication. You're always in control—switch to the next person at any time or stay and chat as long as you want.
Apr 2, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
Apr 1, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 1, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I found this post very helpful as it made the topic approachable. Looking forward to reading more like this.
Mar 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 186  | 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.