SATURDAY
APRIL 2
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TBS, 6:00 p.m. ET

The Final Four is here, or are here. Two games, both on TBS, deciding which two teams will play in Monday’s 2016 NCAA men’s basketball championship final – and they’re both exciting matchups. At 6 p.m. ET, it’s two No. 2 seeds, Oklahoma vs. Villanova. Oklahoma has exceptional player Buddy Hield, but Villanova, in getting to this point, toppled No. 1 seed Kansas. Next up, at 8:45 p.m. ET, is North Carolina vs. Syracuse. North Carolina is the only remaining No. 1 seed in the Final Four, while Syracuse is the first No. 10 seed to make it this far. And to make it this far, Syracuse had to mount at least one jaw-dropping comeback. So stay tuned, for both games…

 
  
 
 

Sundance, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1972 movie is another one that pulls me in every time – I call them spider-web films. A beautiful realization of the allegorical novel by James Dickey, this 1972 John Boorman movie is about a Deep South canoe trip that tests its four suburban friends more than they could imagine. Jon Voight stars, Ned Beatty steals scenes, and Burt Reynolds delivers the best role of his entire career. The photography is beautiful. The plot is ugly.
 
  
 
 

PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

Part 2. This is the episode containing a superb segment on Louis Armstrong. If you didn’t know how great, and important, he was to jazz, this installment will teach you – by isolating some of his best early improvisations. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 2015 comedy stars, and is written by, Amy Schumer, co-stars Bill Hader, and is directed by Judd Apatow – a triumvirate of clever comic minds. You expect funny from them – but from supporting player LeBron James? Yet he scores, repeatedly, playing a version of himself that’s unexpectedly amusing.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

After its spring break, SNL returns with a new episode. Peter Dinklage hosts, and Gwen Stefani is the musical guest. Is it too much to hope for a Game of Thrones sketch, with Stefani playing Daenerys Targaryen, the blonde-haired dragon lady?

 
  
 
 
 
 
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 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
UAMRG
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | Go to page: 
3685 Comments
 
 
Gerda Lundgren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Hialeah Auto Glass Repair (https://autoglassrepairhialeah.com/) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Golly Gerda, you make me blush with your kind words, but maybe instead of giving me praise, how about giving me a discount on your service bills!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Dave
Mar 22, 2026
 
 
 
Rut Holmgren
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on West Palm Beach Auto Glass Repair (https://westpalmbeachautoglassrepair.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Birger Samuelsson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Macon Auto Glass Repair at https://autoglassrepairmacon.com/ is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Inga Henriksen
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lakewood Fence Company put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://fencecompanylakewood.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Harald Almgren
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Boca Raton Auto Glass Repair put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://bocaratonautoglassrepair.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sigrun Lindholm
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on Brighton Towing Company (https://brightontowingcompany.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Karl Forsberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Sunrise Towing Company (https://sunrisetowingcompany.com) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Solveig Johanson
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lincoln Mobile Mechanic put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://lincolnmobilemechanic.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Arvid Berggren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Colorado Springs Mobile Mechanic (https://coloradospringcosmobilemechanic.com) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Frida Sundberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Citrus Heights Towing Company (http://www.towingcitrusheights.com/) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Viggo Lundqvist
TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Lafayette Auto Glass Repair at https://lafayetteautoglassrepair.com for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Tyra Stromberg
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Lauderhill Towing Company (https://lauderhilltowing.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Olle Lindgren
Quality criticism is rare and Bianculli delivers every time. I run trucks for a living and Framingham Towing Company (https://towingframingham.com) handles our maintenance. Your site handles my entertainment. Both essential.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Einar Magnusson
Always trust Bianculli's taste. My brother-in-law drives commercially and swears by Oakland Park Towing Company (https://oaklandparktowing.com) for his rig. Same confidence I have in TVWW for TV picks. Two reliable sources.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Vilhelm Lindqvist
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Arlington Concrete Company (https://arlingtonconcretecompany.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Ingeborg Jacobsson
Been following TVWW since my nephew showed me this site years ago. He drives for a freight company and uses Opelika Towing Company (https://opelikatowing.com) for repairs. Your recommendations are his off-hours staple.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Oskar Mattsson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Auburn Concrete Company at https://auburnconcreteco.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Brita Hansson
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Chesapeake Concrete Driveway Company at https://chesapeakedriveway.com - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Astrid Svensson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Reno Pro Mobile Mechanic at https://renopromobilemechanic.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Gunhild Larsson
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair at https://auroraautoglassrepair.net/ - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | 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.