TUESDAY

FEBRUARY 25

2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

This series returns from its winter hiatus with the primary focus not on the New Directions glee club, but on two of its graduates, now employed by a Broadway show preparing to open. One is Lea Michele’s Rachel, who has scored the lead role, once played by Barbra Streisand, in a revival of Funny Girl. And the other is Naya Rivera’s Santana, who has just been hired as Rachel’s understudy. All About Eve, anyone?

ABOUT A BOY

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

After its sneak preview launch following Saturday night’s Olympic Games, About a Boy presents its second episode. It’s a warmer, better sitcom than most NBC efforts the past few years – but whether viewers will give NBC the benefit of the doubt, much less a half hour of their time, is at this point an open question. But series creator Jason Katims, with his TV versions of Parenthood and Friday Night Lights, has earned the right to some viewer loyalty. David Walton, Minnie Driver and Benjamin Stockham star.

FRONTLINE: "SECRETS OF THE VATICAN"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

This new edition of Frontline examines the almost unprecedented transfer of power that led to a living Pope stepping down and abdicating his power as head of the Catholic church. What were the issues behind the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and how is the inner circle at the Vatican reacting to the new trail being blazed by his successor, Pope Francis? The question, in this case, is this: Where there's white smoke, is there fire? Check local listings.

JUSTIFIED

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

Justified took last week off, after an episode in which there were so many showdowns and confrontations, it felt like watching a boxing match with several juicy undercards. And tonight, the various plots put several characters on the move: Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) on the trail of a con artist, and Boyd and the Crowes heading towards Florida, continuing their very unlikely, positively incendiary association by expedience.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

This 1946 David Lean movie is a classic film version of a classic Charles Dickens novel. It’s got something for everyone, with Tony Wager and John Mills splitting the role of Pip, and Jean Simmons and Valerie Hobson splitting the role of Estella, with Martita Hunt as an appropriately creepy Miss Havisham. For my dad, the most memorable part of Great Expectations, when he saw it as a young teen, was the sudden scare of the convict jumping out of the tree. For me, when I first saw the film at about the same age, it was Jean Simmons as the young Estella. So beautiful. So icy. So mercurial.

<< 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 186 | Go to page:

3702 Comments

??????????

Every Camruletka chat is private, fast, and designed for natural communication. You're always in control—switch to the next person at any time or stay and chat as long as you want.

Apr 2, 2026 | Reply

?????

I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!

Apr 1, 2026 | Reply

?????

I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.

Apr 1, 2026 | Reply

live casino online

I found this post very helpful as it made the topic approachable. Looking forward to reading more like this.

Mar 31, 2026 | Reply

lsm99dna

Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here.

Mar 30, 2026 | Reply

Grand Dunman

Grand Dunman is widely praised on property websites for its impressive large-scale design, prime city-fringe location in District 15, and excellent connectivity just steps from Dakota MRT. The development features over 1,000 thoughtfully designed units with modern layouts and premium facilities, catering to a wide range of homeowners and investors.

Mar 29, 2026 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

Hey Prick-ears,

Why don't you take a flying FU** in a rolling doughnut, you bozo! Get your own damn site to shill your SH**!

Sincerely,

Dave

Mar 30, 2026

login lsm99

I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to comebiobet back later. All the best.

Mar 29, 2026 | Reply

???????

Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article. I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article.

Mar 26, 2026 | Reply

Victory Foods OEM

Bianculli’s curation effectively balances nostalgia with timely cultural markers, especially highlighting the ironic origins of Aquaman alongside the poignant Morrison tribute. https://victoryfoodscn.com

Mar 25, 2026 | Reply

Nvidia DGX H100 Cost

This specific is generally clearly basic and in addition exceptional truth alongside without a doubt reasonable and besides in fact valuable My business is

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

Pad-mount transformer

With our trusted and highly trained shipping professionals ready to answer all of your shipping questions,

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

PBN murah

Great survey, I'm sure you're getting a great response

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

?????

Even after using several ways to increase WordPress speed it was difficult to score high on Google Speed Test

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

?? ????

This specific is generally clearly basic and in addition exceptional truth alongside without a doubt reasonable and besides in fact valuable My business is

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

??? ??

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!

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

Pornografi Pemerintah Indo

Penipu berkualitas rendah tanpa integritas dan penuh kebohongan.

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

Pornografi mesum

Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.

Mar 24, 2026 | Reply

Gerda Lundgren

Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Hialeah Auto Glass Repair (https://autoglassrepairhialeah.com/) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

Golly Gerda, you make me blush with your kind words, but maybe instead of giving me praise, how about giving me a discount on your service bills!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Dave

Mar 22, 2026

Rut Holmgren

Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on West Palm Beach Auto Glass Repair (https://westpalmbeachautoglassrepair.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Birger Samuelsson

Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Macon Auto Glass Repair at https://autoglassrepairmacon.com/ is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Page: 1 of 186 | 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

Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 10:00 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