THURSDAY
JULY 18
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Encore, 8:00 p.m. ET

Every once in a while, a movie comes out that catches the zeitgeist and becomes a pop-culture phenomenon that both reflects and affects its times. Basic Instinct, igniting national conversations about infidelity and spurned-lover revenge, was such a movie – 21 years ago. And revisiting it is an opportunity to recapture that moment – and, of course, to once again sit through Sharon Stone’s leg-crossing police interrogation.

 
  
 
 

Lifetime, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Even though this series is beginning its 12th cycle of competitions tonight, there are a couple of reasons to tune in. One is that, this season, the structure has been revamped to give Tim Gunn even more prominent a role. The other is that a controversial billboard promoting the new season, featuring Gunn and host Heidi Klum lording it over a gaggle of naked models, has gotten people talking about the show even before its season premiere. Nice move.

 
  
 
 

USA, 9:00 p.m. ET

Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan), after about a year apart from Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), finally gets to work with her again. Happy reunion? If you think that, you don’t know this show, or these two volatile characters, very well.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 9:45 p.m. ET

This 1962 thriller, directed by John Frankenheimer, is as gripping, perplexing, surprising and ultimately unsettling as any modern conspiracy-theory drama. Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey play two former POWs who suffer from a severe case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for a very good reason. And Angela Lansbury, as one of the women in their lives, deserves very special mention for her very memorable performance. It’s one of four films tonight selected by the evening’s guest programmer, the excellent writer and critic Frank Rich. Others: 1942’s The Palm Beach Story (at 8 p.m. ET), 1939’s The Rules of the Game (midnight ET) and 1968’s Petulia (2 a.m. ET).

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 11:31 p.m. ET

Stephen Colbert, since returning from vacation, has been on quite a streak. Last night, his conversation with Jerry Seinfeld was charming (and yes, as I predicted, Colbert served his guest some coffee). Tonight, I expect no less – well, no less charm. (Forget about the coffee.) Colbert’s guest tonight is Jeff Bridges (seen here from a previous visit), who, like Seinfeld, has worked very hard to make what he does seem effortlessly natural.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
JUYDV
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 147  | Go to page: 
2931 Comments
 
 
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. Thanks..
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I would like to thank for the effort you have made in writing this post and i am very impressed by your blog design and the your quality work Great job man keep it up.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Jan 14, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Jan 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Jan 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you for your post. I sincerely thank you for your post. If you are interested in purchasing our products, you can contact us through this website
Jan 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
After reading your article I was amazed. I know that you explain it very well. And I hope that other readers will also experience how I feel after reading your article
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Thank you!!! Did you feel a little tingling sensation in your pants after reading my article?? ROTFLMBFFAO!!!

Sincerely,

Dave
Jan 12, 2026
 
 
 
After reading your article I was amazed. I know that you explain it very well. And I hope that other readers will also experience how I feel after reading your article
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
The information from the blog above is very good, thank you for the information, if you want to know more information, please visit our website
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Nice post. I learn some thing more difficult on various blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating you just read content using their company writers and use a little something from their site. I'd prefer to use some with all the content in my small weblog no matter whether you don't mind. Natually I'll provide you with a link on the internet weblog. Many thanks sharing
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thanks Nonetheless I am experiencing subject with ur rss
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
That is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching about that mather. Virtually any method many thanks in addition to i had endeavor to promote your own article in to delicius nevertheless it is apparently a dilemma using your information sites can you please recheck the idea. thanks once more
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I as well believe thence , perfectly pent post! Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something such as this before. So nice to seek out somebody by incorporating authentic ideas on this subject. realy i appreciate you for starting this up. this excellent website are some things that’s needed online, somebody after a little bit originality. helpful work for bringing something new to the web! You really should take part in a tournament for starters of the best blogs on-line. I am going to recommend this great site! Nice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post.
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini benar-benar bajingan, berbohong kepada orang-orang dan mencuri uang seperti penipu kotor yang sebenarnya.
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I got what you mean , thanks for posting .Woh I am happy to find this website through google.
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
We are manufacturers and exporters of high quality Sportswear & Textile products. Our company produces custom designs and sizes as per our customer’s requirements. For biker jacket visit!
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every part of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new information in your site.
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Wow i can say that this is another great article as expected of this blog.Bookmarked this site..
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 147  | 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.