THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 24
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

NBC, 9:00 a.m. ET

Of the TV parade coverage today, this one, on NBC, is the most tenured and traditional – and today’s the day when those particular attributes should count for something. So watch as Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker work their way through the 90th edition of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and recount the history that goes all the way back to the first. And goes back, in fact, to a Felix the Cat balloon, which will be represented, in modernized form, in today’s parade. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
 
  
 
 

FXX, 12:00 p.m. ET

Back in 2014, FX’s sister network FXX put itself on the map by presenting a marathon of all 552 episodes then produced of Fox’s The Simpsons – a 12-day marathon that set records as the longest TV marathon in history. Well, history marches on, as does The Simpsons. Today at noon ET, FXX presents a new compilation of Simpsons episodes, a mega-marathon that now covers 600 episodes, presented over 300 hours, represents 27 seasons, and will take 13 days to complete, finishing up at midnight on Dec. 7. Be forewarned: the last marathon was addictive, and once you tune in, it’s hard not to settle in. I expect no less from this marathon. Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz, in their new book TV: The Book, rank The Smpsons among the best television series ever made – and it’s easy to agree with them. The slow but delightful Simpsons march down memory lane begins at noon.

 
  
 
 

Fox, 4:30 p.m. ET

Here’s another long-standing Thanksgiving Day tradition: the Dallas Cowboys, once called America’s Team, playing on Turkey Day. This time they face the Washington Redskins – and I wonder how much thought the NFL gave in putting together this particular holiday game schedule. On a day we’re supposed to be recalling and revering the first Thanksgiving and all it represents, are the Cowboys facing an appropriate opponent? It’s a somewhat uncomfortable thought, whether the Redskins win or lose today. Oh, well – at least the Redskins aren't playing the Rhode Island high school football team, the Pilgrim Patriots…
 
  
 
 

PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

TELEMOVIE PREMIERE: In 1985, PBS imported a fabulous Candian CBC miniseries version of the Lucy Maud Montgomery story, starring Megan Follows in the title role, and Richard Farnsworth and Colleen Dewhurst as the crusty siblings who reluctantly take in the bubbly young orphan girl. More than 30 years later, another delightful new version comes along, also on PBS – a taste, at least, dramatizing just the start of young Anne’s story – that’s perfectly positioned as a Thanksgiving night treat for the whole family. Ella Ballentine stars as this new incarnation of Anne, and Martin Sheen and Sara Botsford co-star. For a full review, see David Hinckley’s All Along the Watchtower. Check local listings.
 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 9:00 p.m. ET

And now for something completely different. If it’s full-family holiday entertainment you want, look elsewhere. But if, after Thanksgiving dinner, you’re eager to get on to the next big televised holiday fixation, and you’re decidedly irreverent and not easily shocked, then this South Park mini-marathon may be for you. It gathers all the episodes featuring the most improbable animated characters in the history of Christmas TV holiday specials: a talking piece of excrement called Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo. And yes, he’s featured in more than one South Park special. As Bette Davis once famously proclaimed, “What a dump!”

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
XKBYU
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 148  | Go to page: 
2947 Comments
 
 
Tamamen dolandiricilik yapiyor, insanlar buraya gelmesin, ben bu sitede 100k$ kaybettim:
Jan 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Jan 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Jan 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
We operate a customized system for each age group. We ensure a comfortable time by creating a luxurious and comfortable environment.
Jan 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu sejati, persetan denganmu, jalang!
Jan 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hei, dasar penis kecil, aku akan meniduri ibumu karena mengatakan itu!
Jan 19, 2026
 
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Jan 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Tamamen sahtekarlar ve masum insanlari dolandiriyorlar. Bu siteye girmeyin, onlar hirsiz.
Jan 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Jan 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Dave Bianculli
I hate to tell ya pardner, but if you're on the same wavelength as "Good Old Dave" as I like to be called, you're one lost buckaroo!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I’ve been meditating on the identical issue personally recently. Pleased to see another person on the same wavelength! Nice article
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very Interesting and wonderful information keep sharing this post
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Nice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Acknowledges for penmanship such a worthy column, I stumbled beside your blog besides predict a handful advise. I want your tone of manuscript…
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Acknowledges for penmanship such a worthy column, I stumbled beside your blog besides predict a handful advise. I want your tone of manuscript…
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. Thanks..
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I would like to thank for the effort you have made in writing this post and i am very impressed by your blog design and the your quality work Great job man keep it up.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Jan 14, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 148  | 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.