THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 25
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

Last night, the majority of the finalists for this final year of Idol were revealed. Tonight, the final two join the stage – and then the Top 10 immediately take the stage, one at a time, to compete for votes from viewers. From this point onward, it’s the audience, not the judges, who really are in charge.

 
  
 
 

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

There are two things to celebrate here. One, it’s episode number 200 for The Big Bang Theory, attesting to the show’s longevity and popularity. Two, it’s Sheldon’s birthday – an occasion he has decided, for once, to embrace rather than ignore, which gives his friends permission to go a little bazinga.

 
  
 
 

CNN, 8:30 p.m. ET

Wolf Blitzer moderates this final debate before Super Tuesday – and yes, Donald Trump is planning to attend. And after winning another primary earlier this week, he’s probably not going to be as shy and retiring this time. The debate is televised by CNN live from Texas – specifically, at the University of Houston.

 
  
 
 

BBC America, 10:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: This newest crime-series import from England opens with one of the most jolting, high-octane opening sequences since ABC’s Lost – tune in at the start, and you’re there for the entire hour. What Prey appears to be, based on the opening installment, is a modern update of The Fugitive – but that’s only the half of it. The other half is an intertwined story looking at the woman who takes charge of that and another investigation, so Prey, actually, is a cross between The Fugitive and Prime Suspect. And deserves to be talked about in the same breath. Watch the opening. For his take, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower. 

 
  
 
 

History, 11:00 p.m. ET

This is the third episode of this new Craig Ferguson talk and comedy show – and finally, I was able to catch up and see the first two episodes, which premiered last week in a double header. The premise is to choose a topic from history, present six “qualifiers” for that topic – worst medical advice or political blunder, for example – then winnow them down, one by one, until you have a weekly winner. This new show retains Shadoe Stevens from Ferguson’s Late Late Show, and Ferguson’s opening monologue and close-to-the-camera delivery – but then it switches to a format where Ferguson plays host to three guests, including at least one comic, who discuss the issues at hand. It’s like Real Time with Bill Maher, only instead of discussing current events, they discuss vintage events. And very humorously, and even instructively: The opening show, for example, taught me things I never knew before. Like the definition of a gold star… well, I’ll just end it there. You can find out what I’m referring to by watching an 8 p.m. ET repeat of the opener, which features Jimmy Kimmel, then staying for a repeat of the Chris Hardwick show at 8:30 p.m. ET – and returning at 11 p.m. ET for a new episode, featuring Courteney Cox.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
NQYHI
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | Go to page: 
3693 Comments
 
 
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
 
 
With our trusted and highly trained shipping professionals ready to answer all of your shipping questions,
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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
 
 
Penipu berkualitas rendah tanpa integritas dan penuh kebohongan.
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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
 
 
Inga Henriksen
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lakewood Fence Company put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://fencecompanylakewood.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Harald Almgren
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Boca Raton Auto Glass Repair put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://bocaratonautoglassrepair.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sigrun Lindholm
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on Brighton Towing Company (https://brightontowingcompany.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Karl Forsberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Sunrise Towing Company (https://sunrisetowingcompany.com) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Solveig Johanson
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lincoln Mobile Mechanic put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://lincolnmobilemechanic.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Arvid Berggren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Colorado Springs Mobile Mechanic (https://coloradospringcosmobilemechanic.com) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Frida Sundberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Citrus Heights Towing Company (http://www.towingcitrusheights.com/) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Viggo Lundqvist
TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Lafayette Auto Glass Repair at https://lafayetteautoglassrepair.com for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Tyra Stromberg
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Lauderhill Towing Company (https://lauderhilltowing.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | 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.