WEDNESDAY
JUNE 20
2012

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1948 movie, an adaptation of a Broadway play that itself was adapted from a novel, is like a Norwegian turn-of-the-century version of The Wonder Years: an adult narrator, looking back fondly on the formative years of childhood. Irene Dunne and Barbara Bel Geddes (who later played Miss Ellie on the original Dallas) star – and this film inspired TV’s first spinoff from a movie, 1949’s popular Mama, starring Peggy Wood.

 
  
 
 

WE TV, 8:00 p.m. ET

Some days, I’m convinced this 2000 movie helped inspire my daughter to become a lawyer. (Other days, I suspect it was Legally Blonde – though, the weekend before she went to law school, I showed her The Paper Chase.)  Julia Roberts is feisty and inspirational in this fact-based story about a lawyer’s assistant who helps her boss (Albert Finney, who’s superb) investigate and take on a utility company suspected of flagrant and toxic environmental pollution.

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: A doubleheader of fresh episodes welcomes the Futurama folks back to the fold, including a new arrival to the family: Bender’s oily new offspring. Also appearing tonight: a recurring show favorite, the disembodied head of Richard Nixon.

 
  
 
 

TV Land, 10:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: This spinoff from the network’s most successful sitcom, Hot in Cleveland, takes Cedric the Entertainer’s character of Rev. Boyce Ballentine and gives him his own show, surrounded by family, flock and (with luck) funny situations. Niecy Nash from Reno 911! co-stars as the reverend’s wife. For a full review, and a link to see the pilot early, read Gerald Jordan’s Crossing Jordan column HERE. 

 
  
 
 

TBS, 11:00 p.m. ET

At first glance, it may sound like a boy band is visiting tonight, as Conan O’Brien’s guest list includes Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben and Craig. But these aren’t the heartthrobs from One Direction – they’re the five sons of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, appearing for their first joint interview on a late-night talk show. Who’s going to field the first question? My guess: Tagg, you’re it.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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4484 Comments
 
 
Such a well-researched and thoughtful post! I enjoyed reading every bit of it. Your expertise really shines through.
Aug 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Robin_B
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Aug 18, 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.