SUNDAY

AUGUST 25

2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

AMC, 9:00 p.m. ET

In the first episode of its final lap, Breaking Bad included a snappingly tense scene in which Walter (Bryan Cranston) was confronted by his brother-in-law, DEA agent Hank (Dean Norris). In last week’s second returning episode, Hank confronted Walt’s wife, Skyler (Anna Gunn), in a scene that was just as astoundingly intense. This week, what’s next? (Hank confronting Aaron Paul's Jesse, for starters.) And when does Walt Jr. (RJ Mitte) enter the informed loop? Because that, more than anything else, is where Walter’s Achilles heel resides.

2013 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

MTV, 9:00 p.m. ET

The MTV Video Music Awards themselves are worthless – and these days, MTV giving out awards for videos is like the History Channel giving out awards for shows about actual history. But the live awards show, on the other hand, is well worth checking out. This year, the scheduled performers include Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke and Kanye West – most of whom, on this occasion, will be trying to outshine the others. Yikes.

DEXTER

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

The good news is, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) now has, at this point, what could almost be considered healthy relationships with his sister, his former girlfriend protégé, and even the therapist who shaped his particularly twisted moral code. But there’s a killer on the loose who’s striking closer and closer to Dexter himself, and it’s hard to believe one of the people around him will not be next.

THE NEWSROOM

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

This episode is a superlative example of Aaron Sorkin at his best – and by far the finest outing in this show’s two-year history. Simple as that. For a full review explaining why, see Bianculli’s Blog.

THIS IS SPINAL TAP

Sundance, 10:00 p.m. ET

Turn your TV dial to 11, and enjoy this 1984 mockumentary, which remains, almost 30 years later (!!!), astoundingly fresh and sassy. Rob Reiner directs, and also co-wrote the partly improvised screenplay, along with Spinal Tap band members Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and Michael McKean. Also, watch for the many familiar faces having fun here: not only Reiner and Fran Drescher, but Paul Shaffer, Patrick Macnee, Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, Ed Begley Jr., and Fred Willard.

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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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

AMC, 9:00 p.m. ET

MTV, 9:00 p.m. ET

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

Sundance, 10:00 p.m. ET

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