SATURDAY

MAY 17

2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Showtime, 8:00 p.m. ET

Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this 2012 costume drama, which is loaded with juicy roles and strong performances. Leading men Christoph Waltz and Jamie Foxx, and villain Leonardo DiCaprio, grab lots of attention deservedly, but watch, too, for Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins and especially Kerry Washington in supporting roles. Check out her portrayal of the slave woman named, improbably but with an explanation, Broomhilda von Shaft.

THE HAUNTING

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Tonight TCM presents a classic double feature of the two best haunted-house movies made in the pre-CGI era. First up: Robert Wise directs Julie Harris and Claire Bloom in 1963’s The Haunting, a movie that’s spooky, spooky, spooky. Then, at 10 p.m. ET, comes 1973’s The Legend of Hell House, starring Roddy McDowall and Gayle Hunnicutt, and written by Richard Matheson, based on his own novel. It’s a movie that’s spooky, sexy, spooky.

ORPHAN BLACK

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

In tonight’s episode, Tatiana Maslany takes center stage. Well, that’s always the case, as she plays so many roles on this show – but tonight she takes center stage as Rachel, the cold-hearted corporate executive who tonight threatens one clone’s life, and hires the former confidante of another as her personal security guard.

THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW

BBC America, 11:15 p.m. ET

Tonight’s new episode is another perfect representation of the eclectic entertainment offered by this imported talk show. Norton’s guests tonight include Stephen Mangan, whom U.S. audiences may know from Showtime’s Episodes, and also include Barry Manilow, actress Brenda Blethyn and fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

Andy Samberg returns, serving as guest host for SNL’s final show of the 2013-14 season. Musical guest: St. Vincent.

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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

Showtime, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

BBC America, 11:15 p.m. ET

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

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