SUNDAY
MAY 25
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Here’s a much lighter movie than most of this weekend’s Memorial Day-related fare. Andy Griffith stars as a simple farm boy who joins the Air Force, dons a uniform and wreaks simple havoc with his commanding officer. This 1958 movie basically inspired, with a change to the Marine Corps, that Jim Nabors sitcom of the Sixties, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. – which, it should be noted, was a spinoff of The Andy Griffith Show. Let the circle be unbroken…

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

Larry Kramer adapted his own 1985 play for this new HBO telemovie, which stars Mark Ruffalo as a gay activist at the start of the AIDS crisis, and Julia Roberts as a doctor who’s one of the first physicians to track and examine and warn about the spread of what was eventually identified as the HIV virus. It’s a movie that works very well in its strongest scenes, capturing some excellent performances, including standout ones by supporting player Jim Parsons and costar Matt Bomer (pictured here with Ruffalo). For a full review, see Bianculli’s Blog.
 
  
 
 

AMC, 10:00 p.m. ET

MIDSEASON FINALE: Last week’s episode ended with a rare moment of tenderness between Don (Jon Hamm) and Peggy (Elisabeth Moss). Tonight, even though it’s Memorial Day weekend, and many shows are taking the week off, Mad Men is continuing with a new episode as scheduled – basically because it’s going on an extended vacation anyway. After tonight’s seventh episode of the series’ final series, Mad Men is going on hiatus until next year, when it will present the last seven hours in the story of Don Draper. What to expect tonight? At the very least, some sort of a cliffhanger.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 10:00 p.m. ET

Last week: the séance. This week? Who knows? Showtime didn’t send out previews past this series’ first two episodes, so I’ll be watching tonight like a TV civilian. But I will be watching. Timothy Dalton, Eva Green star.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 3:50 a.m. ET

You have to set your recorders late, or early, to catch this 2007 HBO documentary, but you should. James Gandolfini, hot of The Sopranos, used his clout and followed his heart to make this intimate profile of men and women soldiers who had faced death in Iraq, and, against all odds, lived. The documentary explores their stories, their memories, their attempts at physical and emotional rehabilitation, and their post-deployment perspectives. And it’s all driven by Gandolfini, who, without calling attention to himself at all, uses his celebrity and personal charm to get deeply honest reactions from the veterans he interviews. Next to The Sopranos, it may be the best thing on Gandolfini’s resume, which is really saying something.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
KTEFN
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | Go to page: 
3695 Comments
 
 
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
 
 
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
 
 
 
 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.