MONDAY
MAY 21
2018

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Acorn TV, 3:00 a.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: After stepping forth earlier this month with an original production imported from Wales, the Acorn streaming service now presents another new series that scored well when shown in its home country. This time the place of origin is Australia, the program is called Sando, and it’s a comedy. Sacha Horler stars as Victoria Sandringham, known widely as “Sando.” She’s a wealthy, abrasive woman who made her fortune as a buy-in-bulk furniture salesperson, and her aggressive sales ads and public persona have made her a plain-talking media heroine – to everyone but her own disapproving family. The 2018 comedy series launches today on Acorn. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower

 
  
 
 

ABC, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Last night, in the first part of this first ABC Idol competition finale, the three remaining contestants sang three songs apiece – including, to end their respective sets, Caleb Lee Hutchinson singing Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” Gabby Barrett singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and Maddie Poppe (pictured) singing Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” After Poppe closed the show with that number, judge Katy Perry pulled out her smartphone and announced, “I’m voting for you!” If America follows suit, tonight will see Poppe crowned as the first American Idol of the new ABC era. But Idol has fallen for deep-voiced country singers before, so don’t count out Hutchinson quite yet…

 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Part 1 of 2.  Tonight the finales of Idol and The Voice go head to head, which ought to be interesting, at least in terms of after-the-fact network boasting. But for now, in this first half of a two-part finale, The Voice presents its four finalists, who sing one last time to fight their way to tomorrow night’s winner’s circle. First-time judge Kelly Clarkson has one representative, Brynn Cartelli, still standing, while the show’s most victorious judge, Blake Shelton, has two: Kyla Jade and Spensha Baker. The fourth finalist, voted in after a win-or-go-home performance, is Britton Buchanan, representing judge Alicia Keys. Which means, for this cycle of The Voice, one person who has no chance at all of winning is… judge Adam Levine.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

“Wherever there’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop beatin’ up on a guy, I’ll be there…” John Steinbeck wrote those words in his classic novel about American farmers buffeted by the Dust Bowl, and Henry Fonda brought them to searing, unforgettable life in this 1940 John Ford movie. Sadly, the message still fits, and still resonates…

 
  
 
 

ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Boston Celtics bullied the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first two games of this East series, winning both contests by scores of double-digit margins (the first game by a whopping 25 points). Yet for Game 3, LeBron James and his Cavs team, playing before its home crowd in Cleveland, beat the Celtics 116-86 – an even more whopping margin of 30 points. And tonight is Game 4, played, once again, in Cleveland…

 
  
 
 

AMC, 10:15 p.m. ET

Episode 4 of James Cameron’s very personal look at science fiction is devoted to the topic of “Dark Futures.” And if you don’t like dystopian visions, stay tuned, and perhaps you’ll prefer dat one… And look who’s in tonight’s episode, as one of the talking heads: Twilight Zone historian and analyst (and good TV critic friend) Mark Dawidziak!

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
FKTEF
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 187  | Go to page: 
3724 Comments
 
 
This is a great article and great read for me. It's my first visit to your blog, and I have found it so useful and informative especially this
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts.
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information..
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
If you've been tackling all of your academic assignments on your own, know that you may always ask for help by saying "take my online exam for me". If you're undergoing pressure for a long time because of difficult work or tight deadlines, don't let it bother you. You can ask experienced professionals for help.They will complete the difficult assignments for you.
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information..
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article was written by a real thinking writer.I agree many of the with the solid points made by the writer
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work.
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed...
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cool you write, the information is very good and interesting, I'll give you a link to my site
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am jovial you take pride in what you write. It makes you stand way out from many other writers that can not push high-quality content like you
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Jerkzy is a free random adult cam chat platform that connects users with live performers through instant webcam matching. We built Jerkzy to deliver the excitement of live adult entertainment without the friction of signups, payments, or complicated interfaces.
Apr 7, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Watches for Men
thanks for sharing the valuable information https://tornado.store
Apr 6, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cape Royale is widely praised on property websites for its exclusive waterfront living concept and prestigious location in Sentosa Cove, one of Singapore’s most luxurious residential enclaves. The development features 302 spacious units with panoramic views of the South China Sea and marina,
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 187  | 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.