TUESDAY
DECEMBER 20
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

CW, 8:00 p.m. ET

SPECIAL: And not just tonight. Like that one line about old comics, he’s here all week. And he’s descending upon various families, and bringing with him an instant celebration. It’s part reality show and part Christmas special – and Crews is just likable enough, perhaps, to pull this off, and to not wear out his welcome as the days go on.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

This repeat telecast, from earlier this summer, features President Barack Obama offering remarks on the two-century history of the White House, from its inner workings to its many changes and renovations over the year. Watch it again now, before the next occupant arrives with all gilt and no guilt. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

Taped at Radio City Music Hall, this two-hour special features tributes from a long conga line of artists, including Lady Gaga, Elton John, Billy Joel, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, Stevie Wonder, Rufus Wainwright, Leslie Odom Jr., and more. It also features appearances by Robert De Niro, Kevin Spacey, John McEnroe – and Alec Baldwin, whose most famous Saturday Night Live impersonation of the moment is Donald Trump, but who for years did a wicked Tony Bennett on SNL. Here, he does his impersonation right next to the original article – a sly callback to the first season of SNL, when John Belushi became a breakout star by doing a phenomenal Joe Cocker impression, performing a duet with the actual, equally phenomenal Joe Cocker. And by the way, why shouldn’t Tony Bennett celebrate turning 90? The guy is continuing to make music and release albums, is singing duets with the likes of Lady Gaga, and, at age 90, is in remarkably good voice, as well as remarkably good health. At his advanced age, he hasn’t even had a heart transplant – but if he ever does, I hope he has the good sense, and the good sense of irony, to have the operation at Saint Francis Memorial, St. Mary’s Medical Center, or any of the other excellent hospitals in San Francisco. Just to make his signature song ring even truer.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

These end-of-year specials are excellent overviews of the year in sports, but, with host Bryant Gumbel debriefing his contributors on their favorite stories, also are that rarity in broadcast journalism: a chance to revisit old stories to receive updated information and new perspectives.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 11:30 p.m. ET

This 1985 CBS version of the Broadway stage revival of Arthur Miller’s classic drama is astoundingly good from start to finish. When I saw it on Broadway, it made me cry – and not just silent little weepy tears, either, but convulsive sobs. A lot of that was due to the dynamism and realism of the acting, and those same actors are on display here, being just as vital and visceral. Dustin Hoffman stars as Willy Loman, that delusional traveling salesman who both lives in and is betrayed by the past, and John Malkovich and Stephen Lang offer strong support as his sons Biff and Happy. Kate Reid, as Willy’s long-suffering wife, is the shuddering soul of this drama, which works powerfully in this TV version as well. Long ago, I had dreams and schemes of helping to keep the spirit of Death of a Salesman alive by starting a website in which people could write in and tell their personal tales of being discarded or disregarded by the companies for which they worked. But my proposed website name was too long: Amanisnotapieceoffruit.com…

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
QVMSV
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 175  | Go to page: 
3485 Comments
 
 
I am realy apreciate you finding the time and effort to write this best article together.
i once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and commenting and shring with friends.
Mar 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia yang menyedihkan, mencari uang dengan menipu orang jujur. Persetan dengan sampah ini.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Tidak ada yang nyata di sini. Hanya omong kosong penuh tipu daya dari orang-orang serakah.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Mar 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives in-depth information. Thanks for this nice article.
Mar 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"fantastic post, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of
this sector don’t notice this. You should proceed your writing.
I’m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!"
Mar 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post
Mar 17, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
"These are in fact fantastic ideas in concerning blogging.
You have touched some good factors here. Any way keep up wrinting."
Mar 17, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is one very interesting post. I like the way you write and I will bookmark your blog to my favorites
Mar 17, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Great info! I recently came across your blog and have been reading along.
Mar 17, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Welcome to Joingy, the ultimate destination to kickstart a random video chat with people from all around the globe. Instantly connect with complete strangers in a fun, anonymous, and spontaneous environment! Whether you’re looking to chat with random girls or boys, the possibilities are endless.
Mar 16, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Mar 16, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Mar 16, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu berkualitas rendah tanpa integritas dan penuh kebohongan.
Mar 16, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 175  | 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.