THURSDAY
APRIL 17
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE:  This could be the series finale for Community – with this show, its fate is so tenuous, and its treatment by NBC so uncommitted, there’s really no telling at this point. If Community is continuing, it’s going out with a plot twist to set up a Season 6. And if it’s ending, it’s going out with a bang, and with a tongue-in-cheek product-placement nod to Subway that stays true to the irreverent spirit of series creator (and recently returned show-runner) Dan Harmon. Joel McHale stars.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:30 p.m. ET

Arthur Penn directed this 1967 period bank-robbing film, one of the most influential movies of the Sixties. Warren Beatty plays Clyde Barrow, a small-time crook who hits the big time after teaming up with bored and bold Bonnie Parker, played in a star-making turn by Faye Dunaway. Bonnie wrote letters to newspapers about the duo’s bank-robbing exploits, and had pictures taken of them to commemorate their crime spree. Had there been reality TV in the Depression era, she would have starred in one.

 
  
 
 

CBS, 9:01 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: In this one-hour season finale, we’re introduced to a woman from Simon’s past. She’s the ex-wife of Robin Williams’ Simon, and the mother of  Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Sydney. So who has series creator David E. Kelley cast in that role, which could be recurring if this show returns for a Season 2? None other than former Taxi star Marilu Henner.

 
  
 
 

ABC, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: The Season 3 finale for this series sounds so intentionally and almost absurdly overloaded with plot twists and climaxes, it deserves mention. Most of the show’s characters are gathered at a senator’s funeral – while underneath them, a bomb ticks off the minutes until its preset explosion. And that’s only one of the life-threatening, game-changing plots in tonight’s season finale. Kerry Washington stars.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: It’s the last episode of the season for Parenthood, and NBC has yet to decide whether to renew the series for a Season 6. That hints at a failure of leadership, or at least nerve, in the NBC executive suites, because Parenthood, by far, is the best show the network has on the air right now. Its renewal should be a matter of pride and certainty, not a tough call. Watch tonight, and while you’re wiping away tears and wondering what will happen next to these characters, ask yourself: How could this outstanding family drama series not be renewed?

 
  
 
 
 
 
Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!
 
 
 
 
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3695 Comments
 
 
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Mar 26, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Gerda Lundgren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Hialeah Auto Glass Repair (https://autoglassrepairhialeah.com/) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Golly Gerda, you make me blush with your kind words, but maybe instead of giving me praise, how about giving me a discount on your service bills!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Dave
Mar 22, 2026
 
 
 
Rut Holmgren
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on West Palm Beach Auto Glass Repair (https://westpalmbeachautoglassrepair.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Birger Samuelsson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Macon Auto Glass Repair at https://autoglassrepairmacon.com/ is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Excellent as always! The shop guys at Boca Raton Auto Glass Repair put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://bocaratonautoglassrepair.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Solveig Johanson
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Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Arvid Berggren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Colorado Springs Mobile Mechanic (https://coloradospringcosmobilemechanic.com) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Frida Sundberg
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Mar 21, 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.