MONDAY
APRIL 17
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

MGM HD, 7:45 p.m. ET

One of the all-time great concert films, Martin Scorsese captured his love of music, and the farewell appearance by The Band, in this bursting-with-energy, captured-in-amber 1978 movie about the group’s last performance, on Thanksgiving 1976, featuring a lineup loaded with very special guests. Yes, Bob Dylan is here to party with, and say aloha to, his former backing band. But also saying goodbye to Band members Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko are Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Dr. John, Paul Butterfield, Ringo Starr, Emmylou Harris, Ronnie Hawkins, The Staple Singers, Ronnie Wood, and Neil Diamond. Like I said… up there with concert movies about Woodstock and George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh, one of the best all-time great concert films.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

The Voice, in truth, is several shows in one, each entertaining in its own right. First was the “blind auditions” phase, a beautiful introduction in which, for a while at least, sound conquers image. Then come the battle and knockout rounds, where the singers compete to advance the initial competitions. And now, starting tonight, comes the next round, which is different because everything is live – showing new sides not only of the singers, but of the judges.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1972 version of the musical about the Continental Congress and its political battles to declare independence from England was made 196 years after the events it was dramatizing in music. Somehow, though, the verbal battles and back-room events, and especially the jockeying for position and political posturing, are as current as ever. And if you approach 1776 as a precursor and spiritual ancestor of the musical Hamilton, then you can enjoy this musical on that basis as well, because most of it is set in what is now known as Philadelphia’s Independence Hall – the room where it happens. And though there’s no Alexander Hamilton in 1776, other familiar names are well represented, with the best of them being William Daniels as John Adams, Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin, and Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson. Watch for Blythe Danner, Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother, as Martha Jefferson.

 
  
 
 

A&E, 10:00 p.m. ET

A&E is promoting this series as reaching the point where there are only “two episodes until check-out.” And last week, with Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) in police custody, charged with several murders, and with the spirit of Norman’s dead mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) occupying his split-personality consciousness, things look bleak. Last week we saw her dressed as Norman, in the witness interrogation room, but we know, before long, we’ll also see him dressed as Norma, to align, finally, with the climactic plot of the 1960 Psycho movie. Which means, somehow, Norman will get out of his present dilemma, so he can return to the Bates Motel and check in, and check out, one final motel guest…

 
  
 
 

AMC, 10:00 p.m. ET

Man, I loved last week’s Season 3 premiere of Better Call Saul. And I love tonight’s episode even more, because the trail Mike is following leads him, ultimately, to a fast-food chicken joint – which, in turn, leads him to one of the most memorable supporting characters from Breaking Bad, this show’s parent series. That would be Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring, and, as always, he’s so polite, he’s scary. To hear or read my review on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, visit the Fresh Air website.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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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.