THURSDAY
DECEMBER 27
2012

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

Mindy Kaling’s Fox sitcom didn’t really click with me – though I liked its sensibility, and its comic generosity with familiar guest stars. But for those who do like it, or for those who have yet to sample it, Fox is using the “dead week” between Christmas and New Year’s to showcase it prominently. Four repeat episodes occupy all of Fox’s prime time tonight – so the network hasn’t given up on its latest Project quite yet.
 
  
 
 

Encore, 8:00 p.m. ET

One of the most compelling examples of what I call “spider-web movies” is shown tonight – and if any of my film students from last term are watching, I hope they pay particular attention to, and get particular enjoyment from, the druggy dream sequence – or dreamy drug sequence – based on Busby Berkeley choreography from the 1930s. Jeff Bridges stars in this 1998 Coen Brothers comedy, a pop-culture touchstone for the new generation.
 
  
 
 

HBO2, 8:00 p.m. ET

With tonight’s broadcast and cable schedules dominated by reruns, here’s one repeat that stands out above the rest. It’s a replay of the recent Mel Brooks special, in which the true king of all media – most of them, anyway – is interviewed, with generous clips supplied. For my exclusive two-part TVWW Interview with Mel Brooks, see Bianculli’s Blog, Part 1 and Part 2.
 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

The resume of Ginger Rogers is loaded with movies about Broadway babes and hopeful stars and starlets – but though this 1954 film shares a similar plot, it’s not a comedy or a musical, but a drama. In this case, a future Broadway star has that future taken away, by murder. Van Heflin, George Raft, Gene Tierney co-star.
 
  
 
 

NBC, 10:00 p.m. ET

Perhaps because NBC has announced plans to shift this newsmagazine to a less popular Friday night time slot next year, Rock Center is filling tonight's show with a rerun. But it's a good one -- a recap of President Obama's successful targeting of Osama bin Laden. With the film Zero Dark Thirty about to hit theaters nationwide, it's a well-timed primer. And the Julian Fellows Downton Abbey feature I wrote about earlier is available on the Rock Center website.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
DAAEY
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 225  | Go to page: 
4483 Comments
 
 
Adams
Checking out classic television recommendations and archival TV reviews is always a great way to discover hidden gems and nostalgic shows to watch. Having dedicated guides makes finding quality entertainment so much easier. While discussing classic media and online entertainment options with friends recently, someone also recommended checking out platforms like [thorfortune](https://thorfortunes.it/) for a smooth and engaging user experience. Thanks for sharing this helpful update!
Aug 19, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Robin_B
Great breakdown! Having well-written television like this makes evening downtime so much more engaging. When I'm taking a break between episodes or just relaxing after a long day of screen time, I usually unwind for a bit with a few casual rounds on [chicken road](https://chickenroad.gr.com/) before starting the next season. Really appreciate the thoughtful recommendations on this site!
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini benar-benar bajingan, berbohong kepada orang-orang dan mencuri uang seperti penipu kotor yang sebenarnya.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para bajingan penipu ini benar-benar sampah, pembohong keji yang mencuri dari orang-orang yang tidak bersalah. Persetan dengan para penipu kotor ini dan permainan penipuan mereka yang menyedihkan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Layanan palsu, ulasan palsu, janji palsu—100% sampah penipuan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipuan murahan yang berpura-pura sah. Jangan sampai tertipu.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini mengira orang-orang itu bodoh. Modus penipuan yang sama, omong kosong yang sama.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu sejati, persetan denganmu, jalang!
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu berkualitas rendah tanpa integritas dan penuh kebohongan.
Aug 18, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 225  | 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.