SUNDAY

JANUARY 18

2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

2015 NFC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: GREEN BAY PACKERS VS. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Fox, 3:00 p.m. ET

For football fans, it’s a great day for TV. Four teams, two games, fighting it out for the right to play in this year’s Super Bowl. And the wealth is bring spread, at least in terms of broadcasting: Fox presents today’s first game, CBS has the second, and NBC televises Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1. This first game, by the way, is going to be a dramatic one, with injured Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers trying to do what he did last week, and win despite his limited mobility – but this time he faces the Seattle Seahawks, the other top seed in the conference, with a smothering, confusing defense.

2015 AFC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

CBS, 6:30 p.m. ET

Another great matchup today: The New England Patriots, who won last week, in part, because of some controversially creative coaching, face the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots QB is Tom Brady, while the Colts have Andrew Luck, the talented young QB who replaced Peyton Manning.

GALAVANT

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s episodes are likely to be buried alongside the football game tonight – but for the record, the guest stars of this evening’s episodes include “Weird Al” Yankovic and Ricky Gervais.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

There’s an awful lot going on tonight on TV, but this 1962 movie must be mentioned, and should not be overlooked. It’s that good – and so is Gregory Peck, in this superbly tuned adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel. When it comes to cinematic adaptations of good literature, this one ranks among the best, and most satisfying. It also marks the cinematic debut of a young actor who had been bouncing around in small guest roles on various TV series: Robert Duvall.

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC: "DOWNTON ABBEY"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Lady Violet (Maggie Smith) gets a blast from her past tonight – one that sheds some light into a hidden corner of her past, when she was young, and smitten by what she considered a sort of forbidden love. Details to follow… and they’re delicious. Check local listings.

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3685 Comments

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

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Birger Samuelsson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Inga Henriksen

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Harald Almgren

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Sigrun Lindholm

Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on Brighton Towing Company (https://brightontowingcompany.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Karl Forsberg

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Solveig Johanson

Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lincoln Mobile Mechanic put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://lincolnmobilemechanic.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.

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

Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Citrus Heights Towing Company (http://www.towingcitrusheights.com/) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Viggo Lundqvist

TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Lafayette Auto Glass Repair at https://lafayetteautoglassrepair.com for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Tyra Stromberg

Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Lauderhill Towing Company (https://lauderhilltowing.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Olle Lindgren

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Einar Magnusson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Vilhelm Lindqvist

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Oskar Mattsson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Astrid Svensson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Gunhild Larsson

TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair at https://auroraautoglassrepair.net/ - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!

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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Fox, 3:00 p.m. ET

CBS, 6:30 p.m. ET

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

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