MONDAY

AUGUST 20

2012

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

AMC, 8:00 p.m. ET

When I recently made a list of “spider-web” movies, of films that ensnare me each time they’re televised, how did I forget this one? When you’re talking about entertainingly repeatable films, this 1993 Bill Murray comedy may be the ultimate article. It’s all about repetition – up to a point. What a delightful movie, and, by Murray, what a confident, clever performance. Hard to believe, but next year, this movie will be 20 years old. Groundhogs usually don’t live past 10 years, but this Groundhog, I’m sure, will be around for many, many days to come.

BUNHEADS

ABC Family, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Dramas about performers and performances, whether they be about singers in Smash or ballet dancers here, usually make room for a major performance in their season finales. For this show’s first season-ender, it’s all building up to a performance of The Nutcracker. There’s a joke in there somewhere, but this is a family show, and a good one – so I’ll abstain.

ALPHAS

Syfy, 10:00 p.m. ET

I’ve been impressed by this show this season, even more than last year. It’s gotten a little darker, a little less predictable, and a lot less formulaic. Besides, the talented David Strathairn, as the mentor to a group of paranormally gifted misfits, takes his role and this show very seriously – so why should we do any less? This week’s guests include Lauren Holly, in a show that starts with a body in a drawer at the morgue. In case you’re worried: Lauren Holly does not play the body. Also shown earlier, in a new time slot, at 8 p.m. ET.

THE INBETWEENERS

MTV, 10:30 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: British series turned into shows for the U.S. market usually end up as dim shadows of their former selves, but this Americanized remake of the British comedy of the same name seems to translate well – with elements of everything from Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared to Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The “in-betweeners” in this comedy, set at a modern-day high school, are called that because they’re not the cool kids, and not the freaks and geeks – they’re in-between. And because it’s on MTV, it’s got an edge, especially with the dialogue. For a full review, see Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes.

WEB THERAPY

Showtime, 11:00 p.m. ET

In an episode of Episodes this season, Matt LeBlanc, playing an exaggerated version of himself, was shown reaching out via phone to his former Friends cast members, pleading with them to make a guest shot on Pucks!, his show-within-the-show on Episodes. Nobody said yes, and no one even took part in the “saying no” part, not even by literally phoning it in. But on tonight’s Web Therapy, Lisa Kudrow has better luck. One of her guest stars this week is David Schwimmer – and yes, he shows up. Only on webcam, but that’s the same way everyone shows up on this funny series, even Kudrow herself.

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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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

AMC, 8:00 p.m. ET

ABC Family, 9:00 p.m. ET

Syfy, 10:00 p.m. ET

MTV, 10:30 p.m. ET

Showtime, 11:00 p.m. ET

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