SATURDAY
MARCH 18
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 6:00 a.m. ET

TCM, quite appropriately, has cleared its slate this weekend to present two days of programming honoring Robert Osborne, who served as the network’s most famous public face from its inception until his recent death. For decades, watching TCM (as I did, regularly and almost religiously), all you had to do to appreciate Osborne was listen to him introduce, and comment upon, the movies he presented – or, on occasion, interview some of his favorite actors and filmmakers. His knowledge and enthusiasm shone through instantly and effortlessly, and this weekend, TCM offers plenty of examples of that. The tribute begins early, at 6 a.m. ET, with a special Private Screenings program from 2014 in which Osborne, instead of asking the questions, is the interview subject instead, asked questions by recent TCM guest host Alec Baldwin. Later in the day, Osborne is seen interviewing people through the years, either at the TCM Classic Film Festival or on the regular Private Screenings interview series. In prime time tonight, for example, the evening begins at 8 p.m. ET with a repeat of the Alec Baldwin interview with Osborne, followed by Osborne on Private Screenings interviewing, in order, Debbie Reynolds (9:30 p.m. ET), Betty Hutton (10:30 p.m. ET), and Liza Minnelli (11:35 p.m. ET).

 
  
 
 

TCM, 9:00 a.m. ET

Of all the hours devoted to original and longtime TCM host Robert Osborne this weekend, two programs should be considered all but mandatory. One is the Private Screenings with Alec Baldwin, in which Osborne himself is the subject – it’s repeated in prime time, and again tomorrow, as is this one, a 2015 special honoring Osborne’s then 20 years at TCM. Both specials are informative, inspirational (Osborne’s life is, indeed, a Hollywood dream come true), and wonderfully heartwarming.

 
  
 
 

Various Networks, 12:00 p.m. ET

The second round of games begins today, after two days worth of opening-round contests, and an upset or two. Today’s game coverage is shown on three networks – CBS, TNT, and TBS – and begins at noon ET on CBS, with the West’s No. 5 team, Notre Dame, fighting No. 4 West Virginia.

 
  
 
 

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s new episode is titled “Grasslands,” and includes everything from American prairies to African grasslands. And if you think the latter is hitting below the veldt, then you’ve got no sense of nature. Or humor. (Why do pachyderm dentists prefer to work in Alabama? The Tuscaloosa. One of my favorite grade-school jokes.)

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
FNKBV
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 144  | Go to page: 
2873 Comments
 
 
"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
 
 
 
Karakoe stands out as a truly impressive platform, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience for its users. The quality, creativity, and attention to detail are evident in every aspect, making it both reliable and engaging. Whether it’s the user-friendly design or the consistent performance, Karakoe delivers excellent value and leaves a positive, lasting impression.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
hey! I just want to give an full-size thumbs up for the pleasant info you've got right here in this put up.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This Post is providing valuable and unique information; I know that you take a time and effort to make a awesome article
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out any person with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the web, somebody with a little originality
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Excellent points?I would notice that as someone who in reality doesn’t write on blogs a lot (actually, this can be my first publish), I don’t assume the
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out any person with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the web, somebody with a little originality
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Very efficiently written information. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work. For sure i will check out more posts. This site seems to get a good amount of visitor
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 144  | 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.