WEDNESDAY

JANUARY 21

2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

If you’re a loyal viewer of TCM (and if not, why not?), you’ll care about tonight’s prime-time lineup. It’s comprised of movies selected by Robert Osborne, who’s been the host of TCM since its inception. And the first movie on his list is this 1951 drama, directed by George Stevens and starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. That’s followed at 10:15 p.m. ET by another Osborne pick: 1940’s All This, and Heaven Too, starring Bette Davis and Charles Boyer.

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

Mariska Hargitay directed tonight’s episode, which guest stars Armand Assante as the estranged father of Danny Pino’s Nick Amaro.

THE CELL

Starz!, 9:00 p.m. ET

This movie is 15 years old now – and that’s how long ago Jennifer Lopez was primed to cross over from pop music to movie stardom. Now, with her new movie hitting theaters, and with her back on American Idol, she’s riding higher than ever. This neglected 2000 movie, though, is a visual stunner, and not just because of what happens when Lopez, as a social worker aiding in a kidnapping investigation, is pulled into the twisted mind of a comatose serial killer. The killer is played by Vincent D’Onofrio, and the FBI agent, playing it completely straight, by Vince Vaughn.

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Tonight’s episode is the culmination of the Freak Show story. But don’t freak, because American Horror Story, and many of the Freak Show cast members, will return next season with an all-new story.

MAN SEEKING WOMAN

FXX, 10:30 p.m. ET

Jay Baruchel continues his quest for happiness, and a new girlfriend, in this slyly surreal new comedy series. In tonight’s episode, he sets his sights on a total stranger, after a chance meeting with her on a train. She’s played by Vanessa Bayer – the latest Saturday Night Live player to pop in, courtesy of the fact that this series comes from Broadway Video, the compay run by SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels.

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3685 Comments

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

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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

Viggo Lundqvist

TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Lafayette Auto Glass Repair at https://lafayetteautoglassrepair.com for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Tyra Stromberg

Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Lauderhill Towing Company (https://lauderhilltowing.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Olle Lindgren

Quality criticism is rare and Bianculli delivers every time. I run trucks for a living and Framingham Towing Company (https://towingframingham.com) handles our maintenance. Your site handles my entertainment. Both essential.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Einar Magnusson

Always trust Bianculli's taste. My brother-in-law drives commercially and swears by Oakland Park Towing Company (https://oaklandparktowing.com) for his rig. Same confidence I have in TVWW for TV picks. Two reliable sources.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Vilhelm Lindqvist

Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Arlington Concrete Company (https://arlingtonconcretecompany.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Ingeborg Jacobsson

Been following TVWW since my nephew showed me this site years ago. He drives for a freight company and uses Opelika Towing Company (https://opelikatowing.com) for repairs. Your recommendations are his off-hours staple.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Oskar Mattsson

Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Auburn Concrete Company at https://auburnconcreteco.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Brita Hansson

TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Chesapeake Concrete Driveway Company at https://chesapeakedriveway.com - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Astrid Svensson

Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Reno Pro Mobile Mechanic at https://renopromobilemechanic.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Gunhild Larsson

TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair at https://auroraautoglassrepair.net/ - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!

Mar 21, 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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

Starz!, 9:00 p.m. ET

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

FXX, 10:30 p.m. ET

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