SUNDAY
APRIL 24
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

Dropped on HBO last night as a mystery special, Lemonade turns out to be not only the title of this Beyoncé music special, but also her brand new album, which became available on husband Jay-Z’s Tidal music service the second the HBO special ended. Good to know the two still were working together, because much of HBO’s Lemonade, a series of songs presented as moody and sometimes menacing music videos, painted Beyoncé as a woman wronged by her man and infuriated by his infidelity (at one point, she throws her wedding ring at the camera). By the end of the song cycle, there is apparent reconciliation of sorts, but also a series of larger messages, especially about being a strong woman in lessons taught by her grandmother. The visuals here are superb and often powerful – during one song-cycle chapter, called “Resurrection,” the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Mike Brian sit silently, and emotionally, while holding portraits of their slain sons. The music and lyrics are powerful, too, with a range, and a ferocity, that deserve this “video album” treatment. And, as such, we’ve come a long way, baby, since the first one ever made, Blondie’s Eat to the Beat. Catch this next-day repeat, if you’re at all interested in watching what MTV has ceded to HBO, like broadcast networks with the miniseries and made-for-TV movies.

 
  
 
 

CBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

We’re into the final episodes of The Good Wife, so it makes sense that Alicia (Julianna Margulies) wants to throw a party – except a party is the last thing on her mind, given that her mother-in-law (Mary Beth Piel, pictured) is getting remarried just as Alicia herself has demanded a divorce from her own husband, the increasingly disgraced Peter (Chris Noth).

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: It’s the series return many, many people are waiting for, and HBO has pumped up the suspense by keeping the season premiere under wraps. But it is an HBO “free preview” weekend, so you can watch this and all other recommended HBO shows tonight free of charge. The charge will come afterward: As with many crack dealers, the first taste is free.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Another HBO series returns in a free preview weekend – with a revamped corporate structure, but the same oddly endearing tech-savvy characters.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:30 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: When the writers of Veep planned out last season’s cliffhanger, and the possibility that the presidential race would result in a deadlocked and brokered political convention, it was supposed to be satirical fantasy. So much of the real 2016 race appears to be just that, I guess, so why not? For a full review, see Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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3595 Comments
 
 
Carmichael Olsen
Great recommendations as always! TVWW is required reading in our break room. The team at Rancho Cordova Christmas Light Installation (https://ranchocordovachristmaslights.com) keeps our fleet going during maintenance. Your picks keep us entertained!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Virgil Patterson
Always trust Bianculli's taste. My brother-in-law drives commercially and swears by Elk Grove Christmas Light Installation (https://elkgrovechristmaslights.com) for his rig. Same confidence I have in TVWW for TV picks. Two reliable sources.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Clayton Meyers
Been following TVWW since my nephew showed me this site years ago. He drives for a freight company and uses El Dorado Hills Christmas Light Installation (https://eldoradohillschristmaslights.com) for repairs. Your recommendations are his off-hours staple.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Beverly Kauffman
Quality criticism is rare and Bianculli delivers every time. I run trucks for a living and Sacramento Christmas Light Installation (https://christmaslightssacramento.com) handles our maintenance. Your site handles my entertainment. Both essential.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Norman Westbrook
Quality criticism is rare and Bianculli delivers every time. I run trucks for a living and Oakland Pest Control Co (https://oaklandcapestcontrol.com/) handles our maintenance. Your site handles my entertainment. Both essential.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Harriet Saulding
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Law Offices of Durham and Ng put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://www.durhamng.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Barry Lindquist
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Mighty Men Pest Control (https://www.mightymenpestcontrol.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Tanya Brookfield
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lincoln Towing put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://towinglincoln.com/ - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Caroline Whitmore
TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Rocklin Fence Company at https://rocklinfence.com for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Wilma Thornton
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Anago Commercial Cleaning of Santa Clara (https://anagocleaning.com/nor-cal/santa-clara/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Gene Whitfield
This site is a treasure. Fleet maintenance is handled by Roanoke On-Site Truck Repair at https://truckrepairroanoke.com - when trucks are in the shop, your Best Bets is on the TV. Perfect combination.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Dolores Reyes
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Arlington Super Mobile Truck Repair (https://arlingtonsemitruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Chester Larkin
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Yakima Truck & Trailer Repair (https://yakimamobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Esther Nolan
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Charleston Mobile Truck & Trailer Repair (https://usamobiletruckrepair.com/wv/charleston/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Lloyd Griffin
Excellent TV recommendations as always! The mechanics at Anago Commercial Cleaning put me onto this site - they watch everything during overnight repairs. Find them at https://anagocleaning.com/nor-cal for serious truck work.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Helen MacIntyre
Bianculli's picks never let me down - been following TVWW for years! I run a commercial fleet and Abilene Mobile Truck Repair (http://abilenetruckrepair.com/) keeps our trucks rolling. Great taste in TV too - TVWW is our break-room staple.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Milton Grossman
Another great recommendation! The mechanics at Salt Lake City Mobile Truck Repair got me hooked on this site. They're at https://saltlakecitytruckrepair.com/ and your picks keep us entertained during service downtime.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Doris Mayer
Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and Orem Truck & Trailer Repair (https://oremmobiletruckrepair.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Herbert Saunders
Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Norfolk Mobile Truck Repair (https://virginiabeachmobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Mildred Cromwell
Another great recommendation! The mechanics at Magic Mobile Truck Repair got me hooked on this site. They're at https://chesapeakemobiletruckrepair.com/ and your picks keep us entertained during service downtime.
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.