WEDNESDAY
MAY 20
2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: If at first you succeed, try, try again. When ABC first launched Who Wants to be a Millionaire in 1999, it was as a special week-long “special event”: a quiz show, adapted from the British hit series of the same name, presented in prime time and spread over a single week to build momentum and interest. It was such a huge hit that ABC soon repeated the experiment, then began programming so many installments of Millionaire over so many time periods that it oversaturated the Regis Philbin-hosted quiz show – but not before its fortunes had helped raise ABC, temporarily, to Number 1. Now comes another week-long ABC quiz show, this one created by Survivor maven Mark Burnett, in which the seven-episode limited series is more like a marathon than a sprint, with contestants eliminated if they get three answers wrong in a row… on their way to try to accumulate a total of 500 correct answers and win. Tonight, it begins… and ABC will know, by tomorrow, whether success can strike twice in this arena, especially with a new show designed to look like an arena. CNN’s Richard Quest hosts.

 
  
 
 

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Speaking of Survivor creator Mark Burnett, here he is again, with another extended live finale of the franchise he launched in 2000, the year after Millionaire – and which helped CBS begin its climb to Number 1. For Survivor, this is cycle number 30, each one hosted by Jeff Probst. Talk about outlasting…

 
  
 
 

TNT, 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals begins tonight, with the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks. This is the phase of the tournament where, traditionally, LeBron James shines like few other players in the history of the game – and now that he’s back in Cleveland, he has even more motivation.

 
  
 
 

Sundance, 9:00 p.m. ET

Francis Ford Coppola made this war film in 1979, waging several wars of his own: with his studio, with the elements, even with some of his rebellious actors – most notably Marlon Brando. The result of all that tortured effort? A cinematic masterpiece. Martin Sheen stars.

 
  
 
 

CBS, 11:35 p.m. ET

SERIES FINALE: Late Show will continue, but Late Show with David Letterman will not. CBS is promoting this last installment of the Letterman era as Letterman: The Final Show. And there’s no way it won’t be memorable. I expect – and I hope – some unscripted speaking from the heart, with Letterman looking directly into the camera and talking honestly. Because that’s where Letterman always has been at his very best (as with his return after 9/11, or after his heart surgery, or the death of Johnny Carson), and it’d be fitting for him to take the time to do it again here. But thanks for everything, Dave. As TV runs go, a third of a century is impressive as hell. You’ll be missed.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
DBYOR
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | Go to page: 
3695 Comments
 
 
Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article. I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article.
Mar 26, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Victory Foods OEM
Bianculli’s curation effectively balances nostalgia with timely cultural markers, especially highlighting the ironic origins of Aquaman alongside the poignant Morrison tribute. https://victoryfoodscn.com
Mar 25, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This specific is generally clearly basic and in addition exceptional truth alongside without a doubt reasonable and besides in fact valuable My business is
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
With our trusted and highly trained shipping professionals ready to answer all of your shipping questions,
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Great survey, I'm sure you're getting a great response
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Even after using several ways to increase WordPress speed it was difficult to score high on Google Speed Test
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This specific is generally clearly basic and in addition exceptional truth alongside without a doubt reasonable and besides in fact valuable My business is
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
It is a good site post without fail. Not too many people would actually, the way you just did. I am impressed that there is so much information about this subject that has been uncovered and you’ve defeated yourself this time, with so much quality. Good Works!
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu berkualitas rendah tanpa integritas dan penuh kebohongan.
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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
 
 
 
 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.