MONDAY
JUNE 18
2012

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Fox Movie Channel, 7:00 p.m. ET

On a midsummer Monday night, almost all the watchable TV offerings are movies. (What, you expected support for tonight’s premiere of ABC’s The Glass House? I may not throw stones at it, but I’m sure not recommending it.) Here’s a chance to see, unedited, the brilliantly filmed and acted 2007 movie about the early oil business, starring Daniel Day-Lewis in a role that, like the black gold he seeks, is a bubbling crude.

 
  
 
 

The Movie Channel, 8:00 p.m. ET

I saw this 2009 vampire movie after its release – but before its star, Jessica Paré, was cast as Megan on Mad Men. Here, she plays the bass player in a low-rent rock band who is turned into a vampire – and uses that edge to propel herself, and her group, to fame. So she sings, and vamps, even more than with Jon Hamm’s Don Draper on Mad Men ­– just don’t expect a version of  “Zou Bisou Bisou.”

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Forty years ago, John Huston directed this taut character study about two stubborn brothers who are both boxers – and beginning to experience very different levels of success. But one of the brothers is played by an actor who’s still enjoying, and doing great things, with leading roles: Jeff Bridges. The other brother, by the way, is played by Stacy Keach.

 
  
 
 

ABC Family, 9:00 p.m. ET

Here’s one of the few Monday scripted series worth watching – and it’s only episode two, so you’re getting in early. Sutton Foster plays a showgirl who marries, and moves to a small town to help run a ballet school, along with her mother-in-law (Kelly Bishop). In tonight’s show, the two women watch as their troupe gives a small but meaningful public performance.
 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

The title of this new HBO documentary suggests a sort of heartwarming Puppy Bowl romp, with tales (and tails) of lovable pups and scampering, loyal dogs. The subtitle – Fear, Loss Betrayal – reveals otherwise. So be forewarned: This is a documentary about the more than 2 million dogs euthanized annually because of owner neglect and abandonment, about dogs that turn on their owners, and other less pleasant extreme stories from the often complex owner-pet dynamic.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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4484 Comments
 
 
Such a well-researched and thoughtful post! I enjoyed reading every bit of it. Your expertise really shines through.
Aug 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Adams
Checking out classic television recommendations and archival TV reviews is always a great way to discover hidden gems and nostalgic shows to watch. Having dedicated guides makes finding quality entertainment so much easier. While discussing classic media and online entertainment options with friends recently, someone also recommended checking out platforms like [thorfortune](https://thorfortunes.it/) for a smooth and engaging user experience. Thanks for sharing this helpful update!
Aug 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Robin_B
Great breakdown! Having well-written television like this makes evening downtime so much more engaging. When I'm taking a break between episodes or just relaxing after a long day of screen time, I usually unwind for a bit with a few casual rounds on [chicken road](https://chickenroad.gr.com/) before starting the next season. Really appreciate the thoughtful recommendations on this site!
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini benar-benar bajingan, berbohong kepada orang-orang dan mencuri uang seperti penipu kotor yang sebenarnya.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para bajingan penipu ini benar-benar sampah, pembohong keji yang mencuri dari orang-orang yang tidak bersalah. Persetan dengan para penipu kotor ini dan permainan penipuan mereka yang menyedihkan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Layanan palsu, ulasan palsu, janji palsu—100% sampah penipuan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu sejati, persetan denganmu, jalang!
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 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.