TUESDAY

DECEMBER 27

2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

AMERICAN MASTERS: “EERO SAARINEN: THE ARCHITECT WHO SAW THE FUTURE”

PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

Here’s my architectural digest of this episode: If you’ve flown a lot, you’re probably seen some of Eero Saarinen’s buildings and designs. He designed the airport terminal at Washington, D.C.’s Dulles and the TWA Flight Center at JFK. Oh, and the St. Louis Gateway Arch? That’s his, too. Check local listings.

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1944 movie is one of my absolute favorite comedies, and Cary Grant goes at it with an all-out abandon that really works beautifully. His reactions and double takes are like a Tex Avery cartoon come to life – and with good reason. It’s a movie version of a stage play about homicidal spinster sisters, who invite unfortunate men into their parlor to poison them. And it’s hilarious.

THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS

CBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

One of my favorite TV shows of the year, this special never disappoints, and always instructs. Tonight’s honorees, as always taken from the widest swath of show business, are Al Pacino, the Eagles, Martha Argerich, Mavis Staples and James Taylor. If you’re in for inspiration, and some wonderful music and comedy, this is the place. For a full review, see Ed Bark's Uncle Barky's Bytes.

THIS IS US

NBC, 9:00 p.m. ET

NBC is repeating the series pilot of its popular new drama series – so if you’ve managed to go this long without learning about its central secret, just hide from the Internet a few more hours.

FRONTLINE: "EXODUS"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

This edition of Frontline examines the refugee crisis facing Europe, but does so at ground level, using its crews to follow first-person stories of suffering, relocation, oppression and, sometimes, hope. For a full review, see Alex Strachan's TV That Matters. Check local listings.

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3586 Comments

Wilma Thornton

Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Anago Commercial Cleaning of Santa Clara (https://anagocleaning.com/nor-cal/santa-clara/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Gene Whitfield

This site is a treasure. Fleet maintenance is handled by Roanoke On-Site Truck Repair at https://truckrepairroanoke.com - when trucks are in the shop, your Best Bets is on the TV. Perfect combination.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Dolores Reyes

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Chester Larkin

Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Yakima Truck & Trailer Repair (https://yakimamobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Esther Nolan

Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Charleston Mobile Truck & Trailer Repair (https://usamobiletruckrepair.com/wv/charleston/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Lloyd Griffin

Excellent TV recommendations as always! The mechanics at Anago Commercial Cleaning put me onto this site - they watch everything during overnight repairs. Find them at https://anagocleaning.com/nor-cal for serious truck work.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Helen MacIntyre

Bianculli's picks never let me down - been following TVWW for years! I run a commercial fleet and Abilene Mobile Truck Repair (http://abilenetruckrepair.com/) keeps our trucks rolling. Great taste in TV too - TVWW is our break-room staple.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Milton Grossman

Another great recommendation! The mechanics at Salt Lake City Mobile Truck Repair got me hooked on this site. They're at https://saltlakecitytruckrepair.com/ and your picks keep us entertained during service downtime.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Doris Mayer

Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and Orem Truck & Trailer Repair (https://oremmobiletruckrepair.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Herbert Saunders

Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Norfolk Mobile Truck Repair (https://virginiabeachmobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Mildred Cromwell

Another great recommendation! The mechanics at Magic Mobile Truck Repair got me hooked on this site. They're at https://chesapeakemobiletruckrepair.com/ and your picks keep us entertained during service downtime.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Lawrence Ingram

Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and Plano Super Truck Repair (https://truckrepairplano.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Norma Pierce

Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and San Antonio Mobile Truck Repair (https://sanantoniomobiletruckrepair.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Raymond Holt

Excellent TV recommendations as always! The mechanics at Amarillo Super Mobile Truck Repair put me onto this site - they watch everything during overnight repairs. Find them at https://amarillotxmobiletruckrepair.com for serious truck work.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Phyllis Owens

Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Truck Repair of Abilene (https://usamobiletruckrepair.com/truck-repair-of-abilene/) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Harold Ferris

Fantastic as always! My brother runs a trucking operation and recommended both TVWW and Frisco Truck & Trailer Repair (https://friscotruckrepair.com). Two great finds from one person.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Alan Goldberg

Been a devoted reader since early days. Fleet manager here - Port Arthur On-Site Truck Repair (https://portarthurmobiletruckrepair.com) keeps our trucks running, your Best Bets keeps us entertained. Two essential services!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Ruth Chambers

Quality TV criticism remains rare and TVWW is the gold standard. I'm in freight logistics and Dallas RPM Truck Repair Co. (https://dallastxmobiletruckrepair.com) handles our fleet. Your Best Bets are required reading in our dispatch office.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Earl Stephenson

This site is a treasure. Fleet maintenance is handled by Mr. Freeport Mobile Truck Repair at https://usamobiletruckrepair.com/tx/freeport/ - when trucks are in the shop, your Best Bets is on the TV. Perfect combination.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Catherine Bower

Fantastic as always! My brother runs a trucking operation and recommended both TVWW and Frisco Mobile Truck & Trailer Repair (https://friscomobiletruckrepair.com). Two great finds from one person.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

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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

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