SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 26
2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

getTV, 2:00 p.m. ET

If you just watched the premiere of NBC’s new Blindspot, a drama series about a woman who emerges from a giant duffel bag in Times Square with no memory of her identity or past, and thought: “Wow, that’s new!” – well, not really. In the 1965 Western series A Man Called Shenandoah, Robert Horton (from Wagon Train) played a man, shot and left for dead in the Wild West, who gives himself the name of Shenandoah and roams the territory searching for clues to his identity, and who may have wanted him dead. Okay, so he doesn’t have any tattoos, but you have to admit, it’s close. And it’s not the only TV series based on an amnesiac premise. I can think of two others – but ironically, and fittingly, I can’t recall their names. In any event, getTV presents 10 episodes of A Man Called Shenandoah, which to my knowledge has never before been televised since its original one-season run. To find out how and where to get getTV, visit the getTV website.
 
  
 
 

HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

The Laura Hillenbrand biography upon which this 2014 movie is based was a wonderful, well-researched read. The movie version, directed by Angelina Jolie and with a screenplay whose collaborators include Joel and Ethan Coen and Richard LaGravenese, is dramatic and earnest – though not, in some sections, as vividly wrenching as the original author’s powerful prose about Louis Zamperini, whose stories as a competitive runner, a WWII fighter plane crewman and a prisoner of war are individually gripping, and collectively amazing and inspiring. Jack O’Connell portrays Zamperini, with composer and actor Miyavi as Zamperini’s cruel Japanese captor.
 
  
 
 

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: This is part two of the opening episode of Season 9 in this show’s modern era. Last week’s episode started with a typically imaginative and creepy image: a “hand mine” field of human-like hands that emerge from the ground, grab the ankles of people walking in the field, and pull them below ground. What was even more unsettling, though, came later: the deaths of two familiar female characters at the hands of the Daleks. (Well, not the hands. Daleks have no hands, at least not externally. Hold your emails.)  The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) went back in time to try to correct this tragedy, and tonight we’ll find out whether he’s successful in that endeavor.
 
  
 
 

TCM, 10:15 p.m. ET

What a great movie: Jack Nicholson starred in this Milos Forman film version of the Ken Kesey novel, and his performance solidified his “Jack Nicholson” screen persona and charisma in the process. Louise Fletcher is fabulous as well, and there’s a particular joy in watching the then-unknown players who portray members of the mental institution in which Nicholson’s Randall McMurphy finds himself. Look! There’s Christopher Lloyd! And Danny DeVito! And Brad Dourif! And… Just watch. And try not to think that it’s been 40 years since this movie was released.
 
  
 
 

HBO, 12:00 a.m. ET

Speaking of movie anniversaries, another movie that came out 40 years ago, getting a special television telecast tonight, is the 1975 cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show – shown by HBO, quite appropriately, as a midnight movie. That’s how, in theaters, this musical movie comedy went from initial obscurity to major cult status, as young audiences gathered to sing along, dress along, and do the time warp again. Tim Curry stars, with support from such future stars as Susan Sarandon (pictured), Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf and others.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
XKNXJ
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 145  | Go to page: 
2884 Comments
 
 
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day!
Dec 26, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts.
Dec 24, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Amazing post! Karaoke is a fantastic way to bond with friends and family.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini pantas untuk diungkap kebohongan dan kebusukan mereka.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Tidak ada yang nyata di sini. Hanya omong kosong penuh tipu daya dari orang-orang serakah.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign.
Dec 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
I don't know what you're smoking Ja-moke, but please pass that pipe over here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

SEriously, we're here to talk about TV, seriously. I am the Professor Emeritus of TV.

And that is all.

Dave
Dec 21, 2025
 
 
 
Your Site is very nice, and it's very helping us this post is unique and interesting, thank you for sharing this awesome information. and visit our blog site also.
Dec 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
your letter was perfectly fine until that last phrase.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

MY TV WEBSITE, THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD, IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOU TO SHILL YOUR SHITTY BLOG!!!!!

Please delete your post.

Merry Christmas,

Dave
Dec 20, 2025
 
 
 
Feedback
Korea’s online slot site rankings and slot machine game information
https://rcgormangallery.com/kr-33/
Dec 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
"all the time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear their motive, and
that is also happening with this post which I
am reading now."
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
av19
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Pelayanan paling anjing yang pernah kami alami. Setelah uang masuk, sikap berubah total. Komplain diabaikan, solusi tidak ada, dan tanggung jawab nol besar.
Dec 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hei bajingan, pergilah dan tiduri kuda yang kau tunggangi itu, lalu tinggalkan komunitas cinta dan damai yang berfokus pada TV ini.

Hormat saya,

Dave
Dec 18, 2025
 
 
 
You made some decent points there. I looked on the net to the issue and found most people may go as well as using your site.
Dec 16, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
FRom your lips to GOD'S ears mother-fucka!!!!!!!

I want to see this little corner of the internet become THE go-to site for everything and anything that has to do with TV. Some of you may know that TV is my middle name. Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!

Marry Chritmas,

Dave
Dec 16, 2025
 
 
 
Karakoe stands out as a truly impressive platform, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience for its users. The quality, creativity, and attention to detail are evident in every aspect, making it both reliable and engaging. Whether it’s the user-friendly design or the consistent performance, Karakoe delivers excellent value and leaves a positive, lasting impression.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
hey! I just want to give an full-size thumbs up for the pleasant info you've got right here in this put up.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
This Post is providing valuable and unique information; I know that you take a time and effort to make a awesome article
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.
Dec 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 145  | 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.