SUNDAY
AUGUST 20
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Showtime, 8:00 p.m. ET

Last week, one character looked to another and asked, “What happened?” And the other character answered, “I don’t know. Something.” Welcome to Twin Peaks: The Return, on the down slope. It’s as inscrutable as ever… but last week, I did find myself staring intently at the screen, either wondering what was happening, or waiting for something to. But it’s definitely got me watching again, with, among other things, Andy taking his trip to somewhere else...

 
  
 
 

CNN, 9:00 p.m. ET

This week’s installment is called Isn’t It Ironic?, and is all about the music of that decade – from the rise of hip hop to the ascendance of Alanis Morissette. Hence the episode’s title.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

Some battle lines were drawn last week, some alliances formed, and some knees bent – but the biggest move forward, as this series approaches its end game, was Jon Snow’s mission to head north, to the other side of the wall, to capture and bring back a member of the undead army. The plan, I guess, is to bring back living proof of the non-living – but it won’t be easy.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

Last week’s episode provided an extended flashback, showing us Ray and Abby’s 21st anniversary – an unexpected voyage that included not only a trip to a brothel, but other scenes that showed us Ray and Abby connecting as never before. It showed, more than at any other point on Ray Donovan, why these two were so connected to each other. We felt for them, and especially for her, at a whole new level – and then the show, right after it giveth, taketh away, in a sad, deeply emotional series of scenes and revelations.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: This is the return, for the final season, of one of TV’s most undervalued current series. Episodes has, over its run, provided a detailed spoof of Hollywood, with a selfish and vain character at its center, that at time has rivaled Curb Your Enthusiasm. Instead of Larry David playing a comically confrontational version of himself, Episodes has Matt LeBlanc playing a selfish, vain, and usually uncaring version of himself. He was the actor brought in by an all-talk, no-talent TV executive (played by John Pankow) to star in his company’s American adaptation of a tasteful British comedy hit. Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan play the British writing couple imported to Hollywood to adapt their British series for American TV – but saddled with or by mediocrity every step of the way, starting with LeBlanc. All these years later, and the four of them – the producer, the star, and the two writers – seem destined to work together one last time. Seems unlikely? How likely is it that the real LeBlanc is starring, right now, in a new U.S. version of a long-running British show about cars, Top Gear?

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 10:30 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Last season, Andrew Dice clay joined the ranks of comics playing comically exaggerated versions of themselves. One of the twists here, though, is that the TV Dice shows a nicer side of himself than the Dice of his familiar comic persona.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 11:00 p.m. ET

President Trump is still on vacation. Yet things keep happening, and John Oliver isn’t.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
VDXXD
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 191  | Go to page: 
3808 Comments
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article is packed with insights! I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making it so engaging. Well done!
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Such an amazing read! Your ability to explain things in a simple yet detailed way is truly impressive.
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey sweetie,

It's not that complicated! It's TV!!! Do what I do!!!!! Grab a six pack of Miller Lite, crack the first one open and drink it. Rinse and repeat!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!!!

Just let the TV flow over you.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

Dave
Apr 21, 2026
 
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was well explained since it stayed concise and clear. Thanks for sharing this insight.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Practical stream
A thoughtful reflection on TV criticism’s evolution and legacy—blending nostalgia, personal memories, and appreciation for creators who shaped meaningful viewing experiences.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Situs web ini benar-benar penipuan, jangan percayai mereka.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 191  | 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.