SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 2

2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

It’s a spectacular night for watching classic movies from the 1960s and 1970s on TV. Between TCM and Cinemax, viewers tonight can choose from among All the President’s Men, The French Connection, and this Stanley Kubrick masterpiece from 1968 – still perhaps the best, most influential, and most audacious and ambitious science-fiction movie ever made. Whether you haven’t seen it in decades, or haven’t seen it all, you should tune in, and sing along with HAL. “Daisy, Daisy…” One of TCM's "The Essentials"? Absolutely.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Cinemax, 8:35 p.m. ET

Any film director planning a chase sequence still does so with this 1971 William Friedkin movie in mind, because it remains, all these decades later, the gold standard for location chase films. Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider star as New York detectives whose persistence is as indefatigable as their abrasiveness – and yet, for all their dedication and stubbornness, there’s a lot of 70s-era bleakness in The French Connection as well. Great movie – and the chop-shop sequence was honored, and somewhat recreated, recently in an extended sequence in AMC’s Better Call Saul. Watch for it.

WILD WEST

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

This three-part series, from some of the makers of Planet Earth II, concludes its look at the American West tonight with a look at “Restless Shores” – the Western half of the “sea to shining sea” part of the U.S.

ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN

Cinemax, 10:20 p.m. ET

To say that this 1976 movie, based on the Watergate reporting by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein (who are played, respectively, by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman), has a level of added resonance today because of current events would be to overstate the obvious. So I’ll say, instead, that this movie always has been one of my favorites – and is so well-acted, beautiful paced (the screenplay adaptation is by William Goldman), and moodily directed (by Alan J. Pakula) that it works any time, in any circumstances.

WESTWORLD

TCM, 10:45 p.m. ET

In the lineup of tonight’s movies from the era, 1973’s Westworld is a minor entry – but given the subsequent pop-culture impact by writer-director Michael Crichton, both on such other resonant theme-parks-gone-awry works as Jurassic Park and HBO’s current Westworld reimagining, this film, starring Richard Benjamin, James Brolin and an iconic Yul Brynner, is especially enjoyable to reassess in modern times.

<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>

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)


Type in the verification word shown on the image.

Page: 1 of 145 | Go to page:

2891 Comments

Bolagila Toto

“Bolagila Toto offers a smooth and reliable experience with fast access and an easy-to-use platform.”

Dec 30, 2025 | Reply

Manual Chain Hoist

Yangzhou Yaxnova Industrial Co., Ltd. is a high-quality hydraulic equipment production enterprise, has been focusing on the production, manufacturing and service of high-end hydraulic equipment such as: hydraulic nuts, bolt tensioners, hydraulic wrenches, electric hydraulic jacks and PLC intelligent control synchronous lifting jacks for many years.

Dec 30, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pelecehan Anak

Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.

Dec 28, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pemerintah Indo

Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.

Dec 27, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pelecehan Anak

Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.

Dec 27, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pelecehan Anak

Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.

Dec 27, 2025 | Reply

Zyon Grand Showflat

Zyon Grand is an outstanding residential project that truly reflects modern luxury and refined living. With its elegant design, premium construction quality, and thoughtfully planned spaces, it offers a comfortable and sophisticated lifestyle. The serene environment, excellent amenities, and prime location make Zyon Grand an ideal choice for families and investors seeking both value and elegance.

Dec 26, 2025 | Reply

lsm99dna

I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day!

Dec 26, 2025 | Reply

lsm99bet

I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts.

Dec 24, 2025 | Reply

??????

Amazing post! Karaoke is a fantastic way to bond with friends and family.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi mesum

Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pemerintah Indo

Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pemerintah Indo

Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Pornografi Pelecehan Anak

Para penipu ini pantas untuk diungkap kebohongan dan kebusukan mereka.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

Persetan denganmu

Tidak ada yang nyata di sini. Hanya omong kosong penuh tipu daya dari orang-orang serakah.

Dec 23, 2025 | Reply

lsm9999

Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign.

Dec 21, 2025 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

I don't know what you're smoking Ja-moke, but please pass that pipe over here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

SEriously, we're here to talk about TV, seriously. I am the Professor Emeritus of TV.

And that is all.

Dave

Dec 21, 2025

login lsm99

Your Site is very nice, and it's very helping us this post is unique and interesting, thank you for sharing this awesome information. and visit our blog site also.

Dec 19, 2025 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

your letter was perfectly fine until that last phrase.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

MY TV WEBSITE, THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD, IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOU TO SHILL YOUR SHITTY BLOG!!!!!

Please delete your post.

Merry Christmas,

Dave

Dec 20, 2025

Feedback

Korea’s online slot site rankings and slot machine game information
https://rcgormangallery.com/kr-33/

Dec 19, 2025 | Reply

jasa backlink judi

"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

Page: 1 of 145 | 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.

New From TVWW

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Cinemax, 8:35 p.m. ET

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

Cinemax, 10:20 p.m. ET

TCM, 10:45 p.m. ET

David Bianculli

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy