MONDAY
JANUARY 2
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Syfy, 12:00 a.m. ET

The three-day Twilight Zone marathon continues, and continues to suck me in to its vortex. I look forward most to the episodes I’ve seen the least, or the installments that have a special resonance for me after all these years. That includes today’s showing, at 3:30 p.m. ET, of What’s in the Box, a seldom-shown 1964 story starring William Demarest and Joan Blondell as a long-married couple who find their everyday trials and tribulations reflected in their newly repaired television set. Yesterday, among the Twilight Zone episodes reflected in my own TV set was The Invaders, the classic episode starring a silent Agnes Moorehead – which I wrote about in a new Twilight Zone collection due next month from an old friend. It’s veteran TV critic Mark Dawidziak’s Everything I Need to Know I Learned in The Twilight Zone: A Fifth-Dimension Guide to Life, and is loaded with Zone-inspired observations, including those from scores of writers, actors, directors and others strongly influenced by Rod Serling’s seminal series. Consider, if you will, pre-ordering it now from Amazon…
 
  
 
 

PBS, 12:00 a.m. ET

Another marathon that has been continuing all year long (okay, so the year’s only into day two) continues and concludes today, with PBS’s Downton Abbey running through its later episodes, all day long until 10:30 p.m. ET tonight. Watch, in particular, for Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley, who drops her primness and lets loose a bit as the Roaring Twenties arrive – but it’s nothing compared to how Dockery has let loose as the wig-wearing, scene-stealing, everything-stealing kleptomaniac of TNT’s Good Behavior, the latest episode of which is televised tomorrow night at 9 ET. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SERIES RETURN: This is a warning, not a recommendation. This reboot of NBC’s The Apprentice was filmed early last year, when the chances of former host Donald Trump actually becoming President of the United States seemed absurdly slim. Now it arrives to launch the New Year, with Trump, as President-Elect, continuing to be associated with this show and reportedly maintaining his salaried credit as one of its executive producers. The new host is another show business personality turned politician, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who presides over a new gaggle of semi-celebrity contestants fawning for approval. This time out, they include Nicole Polizzi, better known (sadly) as Snooki on MTV’s Jersey Shore. There are others, including Jon Lovitz and Boy George and Carson Kressley, all of whom have long outlived their pop-culture use-by dates – but the threatened combo of Schwarzenegger and Snooki should be enough to make The New Celebrity Apprentice a critical mass to be avoided at all costs. Trump’s dismissive catch phrase was “You’re fired!”; I don’t know what Schwarzenegger’s will be, though “Hasta la vista, baby!” seems probable. Mine, though, I hope soon will be the following: “You’re canceled!”

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Films based on John Steinbeck stories are showcased this month on TCM, starting with tonight’s classic 1955 version of East of Eden, produced and directed by Elia Kazan and starring James Dean and Julie Harris. But watch also for 1943’s The Moon Is Down at 10:15 p.m. ET; 1982’s underrated Cannery Row, with Nick Note and Debra Winger, at midnight ET; and, following that, two stunning late-night cinematic classics. At 2:15 a.m. ET is 1940’s The Grapes of Wrath (pictured), starring Henry Fonda, one of those movies that simply has to be seen at least once. And at 4:30 a.m. ET is 1939’s Of Mice and Men, starring Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney Jr. – which has me wondering something. Did any author ever get better movies made of his or her works in two consecutive years? Just asking. If you can think of any contenders, let me know…

 
  
 
 
 
 
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3618 Comments
 
 
Chester Albright
Always trust Bianculli's taste. My brother-in-law drives commercially and swears by Newport News Concrete Company (https://newportnewsconcreteco.com) for his rig. Same confidence I have in TVWW for TV picks. Two reliable sources.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Irma Poulson
Been a subscriber for ages. Fleet coordinator here - Mobile Truck Repair of Toronto (https://mobiletruckrepairtoronto.com/) keeps our vehicles running, your picks keep us entertained. The perfect pairing during shop waits.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Bertha Nordstrom
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair - Commerce City at https://www.auroraautoglassrepair.net/commerce-city.html - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Merle Johanson
TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair Centennial at https://www.auroraautoglassrepair.net/centennial.html for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Percival Thornton
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on Broomfield Towing Company (https://www.broomfieldtowingservice.com/) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Gladys Whitaker
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Vancouver Mobile Truck Repair (https://vancouvermobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Horace Steinberg
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Aurora Auto Glass Repair - South put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://www.auroraautoglassrepair.net/aurora - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Harriet Gunderson
Always trust Bianculli's taste. My brother-in-law drives commercially and swears by Broomfield Fence Company (https://www.broomfieldfence.com/) for his rig. Same confidence I have in TVWW for TV picks. Two reliable sources.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Theodore Wilkins
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and San Jose Concrete Solutions at https://sanjoseconcretesolutions.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Opal Buchanan
Been a subscriber for ages. Fleet coordinator here - Oakland Concrete Solutions (https://www.oaklandconcretesolutions.com/) keeps our vehicles running, your picks keep us entertained. The perfect pairing during shop waits.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Vernon Pendleton
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Livermore Concrete Solutions (https://concretecontractorlivermore.com) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Millicent Draper
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Vacaville Concrete Solutions (https://vacavilleconcretesolutions.com) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Reginald Booth
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on RPM Parker Towing & Recovery (https://rpmparkertowing.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Adele Carmichael
Excellent as always! The shop guys at FRC Aurora Towing put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://frcauroratowing.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Herschel Paulson
Been following TVWW since my nephew showed me this site years ago. He drives for a freight company and uses Smiley Aurora Towing (https://smileyauroratowing.com) for repairs. Your recommendations are his off-hours staple.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Gordon Stanton
Been a subscriber for ages. Fleet coordinator here - Sac Mobile Truck Repair (https://sacmobiletruckrepair.com/) keeps our vehicles running, your picks keep us entertained. The perfect pairing during shop waits.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Mildred Clarkson
Been a subscriber for ages. Fleet coordinator here - Mighty Men Orinda Pest Control (https://pestcontrolorinda.com) keeps our vehicles running, your picks keep us entertained. The perfect pairing during shop waits.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Clifford Walsh
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on Dunkin Junk Removal (https://dunkinjunkremoval.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Rosemary Hawkins
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Sacramento Tent Rentals at https://sacramentotentrental.com - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Felix Drummond
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Sacramento Fencing Pros - Roseville (https://sacramentofencepros.com/roseville/) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
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.