SATURDAY

NOVEMBER 25

2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Cinemax, 8:00 p.m. ET

Tonight in prime time, Cinemax presents a double feature by writer-director John Hughes, presenting two of his most famous teen films. The opener is 1985’s The Breakfast Club, a character study about a Saturday in high school detention with various familiar stereotypes: Ally Sheedy the outcast, Judd Nelson the rebel, Anthony Michael Hall the nerd, Emilio Estevez the jock, and Molly Ringwald the popular girl. The Breakfast Club peeks behind the stereotypes to find angst in everyone, and made the film a touchstone of sorts for its generation. And at 9:40 p.m. ET, that film is followed by one Hughes wrote and directed the previous year: Sixteen Candles, which also stars Ringwald and Hall.

THE LADY EVE

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1941 film is a romantic, very funny movie by Preston Sturges, who directs and co-wrote this breezy story about card hustlers on a cruise ship who target an unsuspecting but wealthy herpetologist (that’s the study of snakes, not herpes). One of the hustlers is a fast-talking, faster-thinking woman who decides to target him more than once, and in more ways than by gambling. And the way she and this movie scores is by the casting: the hustler is played by Barbra Stanwyck, who’s perfect, and her intended victim by Henry Fonda, who turns flustered into an art form. No wonder this movie is one of TCM’s The Essentials. Watch, and enjoy. A lot.

THE LAST WALTZ

AXS TV, 9:00 p.m. ET

This is an especially appropriate movie to show on Thanksgiving weekend, because this farewell concert by Robbie Robertson and The Band was staged, and filmed, on Thanksgiving night in 1976. The venue was Bill Graham’s Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, and the occasion was the final appearance by the original Band roster of Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Richard Manuel. The director is Martin Scorsese, whose corps of brilliant cinematographers included Vilmos Zsigmond (The Deer Hunter, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Deliverance, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Images), Laszlo Kovacs (Paper Moon, Easy Rider, Ghostbusters), and Michael Chapman (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Fugitive). And, oh yeah, there are the guest performers appearing that night with The Band. Bob Dylan. Ringo Starr. Eric Clapton. Joni Mitchell. Neil Young. Van Morrison. Emmylou Harris. Dr. John. Paul Butterfield. Neil Diamond. Muddy Waters. Ron Wood. Ronnie Hawkins. The Staple Singers. And more…

DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

Dirk and Todd are lost somewhere – and, more to the point, somewhen – in Wendimoor, where they’re up against evil knights, bad days, and a episode so weird, its title is “This Is Not Miami.” Given the accompanying photograph, no kidding.

<< 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 141 | Go to page:

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

Chuan Park

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

lsm99

I simply want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogs and really enjoyed you’re web page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You really have fantastic posts. Thank you for sharing.

Oct 21, 2025 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

Oh wow, you just made my day! I almost wet my pants!!

Sincerely,

Dave

Oct 26, 2025

sport betting

When I read your article on this topic, the first thought seems profound and difficult. There is also a bulletin board for discussion of articles and photos similar to this topic on my site, but I would like to visit once when I have time to discuss this topic.

Oct 21, 2025 | Reply

Union Square Residences

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

Oct 17, 2025

one allsport

I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. I am writing on this topic, so I think it will help a lot. I leave my blog address below. Please visit once.!

Oct 15, 2025 | Reply

one allsport

Oct 15, 2025 | Reply

lsm99dna

You made such an interesting piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain knowledge. Thanks for sharing the such information with us to read this.

Oct 14, 2025 | Reply

one allsports

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

lsm9999

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

Godrej Thanisandra

Godrej Thanisandra in North Bangalore – a pre-launch residential project offering 2, 3 & 4 BHK luxury apartments across 20.33 acres. Enjoy premium amenities.

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

one allsport

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

coolgamingnews

We’re a small, passionate team based in Austin, Texas, whose love of the gaming hobby turned into a full-time mission

Oct 6, 2025 | Reply

lsm99 login

Good site you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

Oct 5, 2025 | Reply

lsm99dna

Good site you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

Oct 4, 2025 | Reply

Call girls jodhpur

Tottaa is a leading name for high-class call girls Jodhpur and reliable escort service Jodhpur. Whether you need an elegant Jodhpur call girl or premium Jodhpur escort service, Tottaa provides unmatched quality. Meet professional Jodhpur call girls and enjoy private, secure, and unforgettable companionship tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Visit us:-https://in.tottaa.com/call-girls/rajasthan/jodhpur

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

Call girls jodhpur

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

jodhpur call girl

Tottaa is a leading name for high-class call girls Jodhpur and reliable escort service Jodhpur. Whether you need an elegant Jodhpur call girl or premium Jodhpur escort service, Tottaa provides unmatched quality. Meet professional Jodhpur call girls and enjoy private, secure, and unforgettable companionship tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Visit now:-https://in.tottaa.com/call-girls/rajasthan/jodhpur

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

??????

You sing with so much heart, it makes karaoke extra special.

Oct 1, 2025 | Reply

Page: 1 of 141 | 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

Cinemax, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

AXS TV, 9:00 p.m. ET

BBC America, 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