WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 18
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s guest programmer is Damien Chazelle. If his name isn’t familiar, his high-energy movies should be: He’s the writer-director of both Whiplash and the musical La La Land. And that’s why his roster of favorite films, presented tonight on TCM, is so inspired and inspiring. His lineup includes a lesser-known MGM Gene Kelly movie, 1955’s It’s Always Fair Weather, at 8 p.m. ET, and showings of 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis at 11:45 p.m. ET and Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 masterpiece, City Lights, at 2 a.m. ET. But if there’s one film not to miss – and there is – it’s the 10 p.m. ET telecast of 1964’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg by director Jacques Demy, starring the incandescent Catherine Deneuve (pictured), and which Chazelle calls “the greatest movie ever made.” Whether or not his passions are misplaced, they’re precisely why guest programmers are such a valuable part of TCM. 

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Part 2 of 2. Last night, PBS began this new documentary about our ideologically and politically divided nation. Tonight, it presents the other side of that divide – or, at least, the other half of this four-hour study. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

History, 10:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: When James Gandolfini died unexpectedly, the producers of The Night Of recast his role by hiring John Turturro, who did a fantastic job with the role, but undoubtedly took it to a different place than Gandolfini would have. Six, this new scripted drama series from the History network, was to have starred Joe Mangianello – but health issues reportedly caused him to back out, and his part was filled by Walton Goggins, who’s done such amazing work on The Shield and Justified, and as a recurring guest star on Sons of Anarchy. He certainly deserves a starring role, but this drama, about a former Navy SEAL who is captured by Boko Haram (prompting his former fellow Team Six warriors to reunite and try to locate and rescue him), may or may not be it.

 
  
 
 

FXX, 10:30 p.m. ET

Lucy (Katie Findlay) has been such a strong addition to this cast, and this show, that it makes sense Josh (Jay Baruchel) would be happy to upend his single-guy existence to be with her as much as possible. But this week, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the feeling is mutual…

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m. ET

What kind of outrage and comedy will Samantha Bee and her cohorts present as they count down the days to the Donald Trump presidential inauguration? Tune in and see…

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
PEXFM
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 145  | Go to page: 
2889 Comments
 
 
Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.
Dec 28, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Dec 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Dec 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Dec 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Zyon Grand is an outstanding residential project that truly reflects modern luxury and refined living. With its elegant design, premium construction quality, and thoughtfully planned spaces, it offers a comfortable and sophisticated lifestyle. The serene environment, excellent amenities, and prime location make Zyon Grand an ideal choice for families and investors seeking both value and elegance.
Dec 26, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day!
Dec 26, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts.
Dec 24, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Amazing post! Karaoke is a fantastic way to bond with friends and family.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini pantas untuk diungkap kebohongan dan kebusukan mereka.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Tidak ada yang nyata di sini. Hanya omong kosong penuh tipu daya dari orang-orang serakah.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign.
Dec 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
I don't know what you're smoking Ja-moke, but please pass that pipe over here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

SEriously, we're here to talk about TV, seriously. I am the Professor Emeritus of TV.

And that is all.

Dave
Dec 21, 2025
 
 
 
Your Site is very nice, and it's very helping us this post is unique and interesting, thank you for sharing this awesome information. and visit our blog site also.
Dec 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
your letter was perfectly fine until that last phrase.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

MY TV WEBSITE, THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD, IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOU TO SHILL YOUR SHITTY BLOG!!!!!

Please delete your post.

Merry Christmas,

Dave
Dec 20, 2025
 
 
 
Feedback
Korea’s online slot site rankings and slot machine game information
https://rcgormangallery.com/kr-33/
Dec 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
"all the time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear their motive, and
that is also happening with this post which I
am reading now."
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
av19
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Pelayanan paling anjing yang pernah kami alami. Setelah uang masuk, sikap berubah total. Komplain diabaikan, solusi tidak ada, dan tanggung jawab nol besar.
Dec 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hei bajingan, pergilah dan tiduri kuda yang kau tunggangi itu, lalu tinggalkan komunitas cinta dan damai yang berfokus pada TV ini.

Hormat saya,

Dave
Dec 18, 2025
 
 
 
You made some decent points there. I looked on the net to the issue and found most people may go as well as using your site.
Dec 16, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
FRom your lips to GOD'S ears mother-fucka!!!!!!!

I want to see this little corner of the internet become THE go-to site for everything and anything that has to do with TV. Some of you may know that TV is my middle name. Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!

Marry Chritmas,

Dave
Dec 16, 2025
 
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 145  | 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.