SUNDAY
AUGUST 24
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

SERIES FINALE: This is it: the end of the road for the True Blood story, and all its characters. I’ve liked how the producers have started to wrap things up and give certain characters their last moment in the sun. Which reminds me: With all these sudden suicidal mood swings by ailing vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), who has refused to drink the blood that could heal him, I can’t help wondering why, if he’s embracing the idea of the “true death,” he’s letting himself be consumed by the vampire-eradicating virus. Why doesn't he just walk outside one morning  – and have his own final, fatal moment in the sun?

 
  
 
 

MTV, 9:00 p.m. ET

This year’s VMAs will have no shortage of scene-stealing diva moments – the opening number alone features Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jessie J teaming up for a live rendition of their new collaboration, “Bang Bang.” Taylor Swift also will take the stage tonight, and Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora will team up, and Miley Cyrus will be featured prominently as an audience member. But the night will, or should, belong to Beyoncé, who receives the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and is set to perform to cap the tribute. The awards themselves, of course, mean next to nothing, especially since finding videos on MTV is like finding tofu at a pulled-pork cook-off. But for the record, the most inventive video of the year, Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” gyrations notwithstanding, was “Chandelier” by Sia, who doesn’t even appear in her own video. Instead, she’s represented by Maddie Ziegler, an 11-year-old dancer from the Dance Moms reality series who spends the video dancing around in a Sia-like white wig, and interpreting the song in a series of dance moves that are innovative and athletic without stooping to being at all provocative.

 
  
 
 

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

Right after True Blood ends tonight, you can flip from HBO to FX and compare the cable vampire drama of today to the one of tomorrow – because The Strain, indeed, represents the next generation. It may not be bloodier, and it’s certainly not sexier, but it sure is scarier.

 
  
 
 

WGN America, 10:00 p.m. ET

One show not to forget about tonight: This WGN America drama, which gets more intense and interesting every week as the show’s clock is ticking, like a bomb timer, while the scientists in this show battle internally to produce the best design for an atomic bomb.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 11:10 p.m. ET

Another show not to forget about tonight: Oliver’s show will conclude its summer run next month – and he’s really carved out his own territory and solidified his singularly intriguing approach. While most comic performers and writers adopt the “Less is more” attitude, going for a fast one-liner or two and moving to the next topic, Oliver has gone the less traveled “More is more” route – and probes his selected story of the week from so many angles, he provides viewers not only with many, many opportunities to laugh, but opportunities to learn as well. And he’s getting rewarded for his superb efforts: Last week, his 15-minute piece on the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO, was the second most viewed late-night video clip of the week on the Internet.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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2801 Comments
 
 
That was more than karaoke. it felt like a live concert! You totally owned the mic and won everyone’s hearts.
Oct 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Holy Lolapalooza! It's been a semi-secret in my life that I like to GLAM UP and belt out a few tunes at my local watering hole. I didn't ever think that one of my FANS would stumble in to one of my performances!!! ROTFLMBFAO!!!!

Which song did you like best: Girls Just Want to Have Fun, or Highway to Hell?

Next time, please introduce yourself!! I promise, I don't bite!!!! (unless we both mutually agree that we would like that!!!!!)

Fondly yours in TV,

Dave
Oct 28, 2025
 
 
 
Thanks for sharing this. Home buying can feel stressful, but posts like this make the process easier to understand and plan for.
Oct 24, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
What the fuc% are you talking about?

Warmly,

Dave
Oct 26, 2025
 
 
 
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Oct 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Oh wow, you just made my day! I almost wet my pants!!

Sincerely,

Dave
Oct 26, 2025
 
 
 
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Oct 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Buying a home can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand the process and get pre-approved, things start falling into place. I really appreciate how this post breaks down the steps clearly, super helpful for buyers!
Oct 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey homie,

I think you just took a wrong turn on the Information Highway!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!

Seriously, please remove your post. And if you decide to post again, please make it about the greatest Art that Man has ever Created: TELEBISION!!!!!

Warmly,

Dave
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Oct 15, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
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Oct 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Awesome blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Many thanks!
Oct 11, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
You made karaoke night the highlight of the evening, fantastic job!
Oct 11, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. We will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with quality content.
Oct 9, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
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Oct 8, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey Godfrey - what-the-ever-loving-fuc%-are-you-even-fuc%ing-talking about??!
I think you took a wrong turn after hitting that meth pipe to end up here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!

Dave
Oct 8, 2025
 
 
 
I do accept as true with all the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for starters. May you please extend them a little from next time? Thank you for the post
Oct 7, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
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You sing with so much heart, it makes karaoke extra special.
Oct 1, 2025   |  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.