MONDAY

SEPTEMBER 23

2019

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CBS, 8:30 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: Last night, the Emmys were televised live. Tonight, it’s the official start of the 2019 fall TV season – but rather than list all the new and returning shows, I’ll limit mentions on Bianculli’s Best Bets to the shows I’ve actually enjoyed, or expect to. That makes it a much shorter list, and eliminates some smaller pleasures: hoping to see Sean Spicer eliminated on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars (would an old tape clip from The Apprentice have Donald Trump seeing him off with a vintage “You’re fired”?), or welcoming Jimmy Smits back to yet another TV series, in NBC’s otherwise unremarkable Bluff City Law. Even Fox’s Prodigal Son, with the talented actor Michael Sheen, is a disappointment. So where, tonight, is the promise? Believe it or not, it’s with Chuck Lorre’s latest CBS sitcom. Billy Gardell from Mike & Molly stars as a heart patient who falls in love with his nurse, a Nigerian immigrant played by Folake Olowofoyeku. His interactions with her are sweet and funnier – and when he meets her friends and family, even more so. For a full review, see Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes.

THE VOICE

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: There’s no Adam Levine this time around, so Blake Shelton must make do with a different type of on-air chemistry: with returning judge Gwen Stefani, whom Shelton romanced after sitting next to her in his red judge’s chair. Also judging this cycle: John Legend and Kelly Clarkson. Oh, yes, and there are competing singers to watch, and hear, too…

COUNTRY MUSIC

PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s episode is titled “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?,” and covers the years 1968-72. That makes sense, because it includes the seminal 1972 multi-album release of the same name by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. I remember getting that album when it was released, and being, at the time, almost totally ignorant of the artists and music showcased in the album’s gathering of past giants of country music. But if you’ve been watching Ken Burns’ Country Music thus far, you certainly know them by now: the players on that record, jamming with the Dirt Band boys, included Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, and others. That remarkable album is recalled tonight – as is another truly groundbreaking album from that era, Bob Dylan’s 1969 embrace of country, Nashville Skyline. Check local listings.

THE DEUCE

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

The mid-Eighties are tough on the NYC neighborhood known as the Deuce: the spread of the disease identified as AIDS is decimating the gay community, the bath houses are attracting new interest from medical authorities as well as police, and the porn theaters are searching for ways to survive despite the rise of X-rated home-video releases. Two of the main characters in The Deuce have their own porn-related survival tactics: Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is pushing to direct and produce “femme erotica,” while Frankie (James Franco) is betting on amateur porn videos as being the next big thing.

<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>

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)


Type in the verification word shown on the image.

Page: 1 of 203 | Go to page:

4047 Comments

??????

Yes i am completely concurred with this article and i simply need say this article is extremely decent and exceptionally useful article.I will make a point to be perusing your blog more. You made a decent point yet I can"t resist the urge to ponder, shouldn"t something be said about the other side?

Jun 30, 2026 | Reply

??????

This is very fascinating, You’re a very professional blogger. Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues. I’ve joined your feed and stay up for in quest of extra of your magnificent post. It was definitely informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

Jun 29, 2026 | Reply

??????

You're making it enjoyable and you still care for to preserve it wise. I cannot wait to read a long way extra from you. That is certainly a

Jun 29, 2026 | Reply

??????

You're making it enjoyable and you still care for to preserve it wise. I cannot wait to read a long way extra from you. That is certainly a

Jun 29, 2026 | Reply

fundingpips review

Fantastic FundingPips review! It provides a clear and balanced overview of the platform, highlighting its key features, trading conditions, and overall experience. A helpful resource for traders deciding whether it's the right prop firm for their trading goals.

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

PESGSLOT

I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

PESGSLOT

I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

PSGSLOT

This particular papers fabulous, and My spouse and i enjoy each of the perform that you have placed into this. I’m sure that you will be making a really useful place. I has been additionally pleased. Good perform!

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

PSGSLOT

It is a good site post without fail. Not too many people would actually, the way you just did. I am impressed that there is so much information about this subject that has been uncovered and you’ve defeated yourself this time, with so much quality. Good Works!

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

PSGSLOT

I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

SLOT6000

There is definately a great deal to know about this subject. I like all of the points you've made

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

PSGSLOT

Thanks for picking out the time to discuss this, I feel great about it and love studying more on this topic. It is extremely helpful for me. Thanks for such a valuable help again.

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

TST4D

Thank you so much as you have been willing to share information with us. We will forever admire all you have done here because you have made my work as easy as ABC.

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

??? ????

Very informative post ! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

????? ?? ??

Great Information sharing .. I am very happy to read this article .. thanks for giving us go through info.Fantastic nice. I appreciate this post

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

???? ????? ??

Truly, this article is really one of the very best in the history of articles. I am a antique ’Article’ collector and I sometimes read some new articles if I find them interesting. And I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection. Very good work!

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

????? ???????

Great Information sharing .. I am very happy to read this article .. thanks for giving us go through info.Fantastic nice. I appreciate this post

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

CQ9 ?? ?? ? ?? ??

I’ve found every article I’ve read very helpful. Good one, and keep it going.

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

???? ?????

Thank you for such a great article

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

???? ?????

Great Information sharing .. I am very happy to read this article .. thanks for giving us go through info.Fantastic nice. I appreciate this post

Jun 28, 2026 | Reply

Page: 1 of 203 | 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.

New From TVWW

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CBS, 8:30 p.m. ET

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

David Bianculli

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy