MONDAY
FEBRUARY 27
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

SiriusXM, 6:00 p.m. ET

PROGRAM PREMIERE: When my book on the Smothers Brothers came out in 2009, Craig Ferguson had me on as a guest on his CBS late-night TV venue, The Late Late Show. I appreciated that gracious gesture a lot – years before, when I was writing for The New York Daily News, I had identified Ferguson, one of the dozen or so personalities given on-air tryouts as possible replacements for Tom Snyder on The Late Late Show, as the person who should be given the job, based on his tryout performances on CBS. He got the job – and though the two events, my recommendation and his hiring, may not have been even marginally connected, Ferguson always was very nice to me. So even though this is a TV column and website, here’s a shot at giving back: Starting today at 6 p.m. ET, Ferguson launches a new show. It’s an East Coast drive-time satellite radio show on SiriusXM, presented on the service’s Comedy Greats channel, found on SiriusXM Channel 94. I don’t know what he’s going to do, or which guests he’s going to feature – but for this new hosting job, I suspect quite strongly, he’ll be very comfortably dressed.
 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: In the most recent cycle of this musical competition series, Miley Cyrus did a very good job sliding into one of the judges’ chairs for the first time. She’s established herself as someone who deserves a return invitation – but for this cycle, her chair is being filled by returning judge Gwen Stefani. Stefani has appeared two previous times as a judge on The Voice, and now, of course, is the girlfriend of Blake Shelton, who has been a judge every cycle since The Voice began. So has Adam Levine, but contestants coached by Shelton have won five times, including Sundance Head in a surprise victory the last time around. Levine, as Voice coach, has scored three victories. Stefani and Alicia Keys, who is returning from the most recent cycle after her first time as coach, will be looking for a first victory with the new round of competition, which begins tonight. And since the Blind Audition rounds routinely deliver some of this series’ best moments, so does the fun.

 
  
 
 

ABC, 9:00 p.m. ET

MINISERIES PREMIERE: This scripted miniseries about the rise of LGBTQ rights is the sort of miniseries, and meaningful drama, broadcast network television used to present almost routinely, in such vintage made-for-TV movies as 1972’s That Certain Summer (starring Hal Holbrook and Martin Sheen in a story of a family man who divorces his wife and informs her, and their teenage son, that he’s gay) and 1985’s An Early Frost (starring Aidan Quinn as a young lawyer who comes out to his parents after learning he has this new disease called AIDS). In 2017, both a miniseries, and something topical and meaningful, are relative rarities on broadcast prime-time television. But here is When We Rise, broadcast every weeknight this week – except for tomorrow night, when President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress. For a full review, see Ed Bark’s Uncle Barky’s Bytes.
 
  
 
 

A&E, 10:00 p.m. ET

Last week, Bates Motel inaugurated its final season by introducing some delicious new twists. Chief among them is that Norma Bates, played by Vera Farmiga, is dead – but that doesn’t mean she’s not still hanging around the house, and in the disturbed imagination of Freddie Highmore’s Norman Bates. This has made Bates Motel even more fascinating, unhinged and entertaining: Farmiga gets to act not as the old “living” Norma, but as various shades of Norma as concocted by her unduly attached son. Norman, meanwhile, is such a victim of his own imagination that in last week’s episode, when he used the infamous motel peephole to spy on a couple getting amorous in the adjacent room, Norman’s, uh, enjoyment while watching them was interrupted by a phone call. From his mother. Who asked what he was doing. And she’s dead. TV doesn’t get more twisted, or more unpredictable, than this.
 
  
 
 

ABC, 11:35 p.m. ET

After what happened last night at the Oscars (for details and a reaction, see Bianculli's Blog), tonight’s show, with first-time Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel returning to his home base, has got to be considered must-see TV. Don’t be surprised if there’s lots of laughs based on a comedy of errors – and don’t be surprised, somehow, if Matt Damon’s around to participate…
 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
CENRD
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 141  | Go to page: 
2820 Comments
 
 
You may comment on the demand plan of the blog. You should visit it's mind boggling. Your blog audit would swell up your visitors. I was to a great degree fulfilled to find this site.I expected to thank you for this unimaginable read!
Nov 5, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
The only thing that swells up when thinking about all of my loyal fan visitors is my EGO. Oh wait a minute, there's something else that SWELLS UP too!

ROTFLMBFAO!!!!!

haha, thanks for following my merry TV adventures!!

Dave
Nov 9, 2025
 
 
 
Our batteries are exported worldwide, earning a stellar reputation through long-term cooperation with many renowned lithium battery companies.
Nov 4, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Nov 4, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
To ensure a smooth and successful partnership, we offer comprehensive pre-sales support, including
Nov 3, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
If you want to play slots that are easy to break and make a profit quickly, we recommend you to get to know the slots website that is easy to break. Direct entrance to play on the website.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Invite players to experience the fun of playing online slot games, direct website slots, with all pg slot games to choose from. Including famous camps leading worldwide
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Come in first, play first, get rich first. Traveling players can try playing slots for free, receive pg slot promotions, and get a chance to win free credit.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Direct web slots, online slots website that can be verified There is no history of cheating at all. Plus there are promotions for members.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Choose to play slots with a direct website. Play online slots, fun and fun, easy to make profits with the rhythm of winning. Get the big prize.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
New system slots Choose to play every slot game camp Choose to bet for fun with a direct website.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Easy to crack slot website 2025, big promotion for all members. Ready to provide service via website 24 hours a day.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
https://casinoactiononline.com/
https://casinoactiononline.com/ Discover the special features of playing slot games. Ready for you to experience the ultimate fun. Direct web slots are open to interested players.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Enter to play online slots directly, online slots, easy to break slots, many players
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Discover the special features of playing slot games. Ready for you to experience the ultimate fun. Direct web slots are open to interested players.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
https://mirzslot.com/
Including the most popular slots, new game slots, easy-to-break slots, and many slot games. PG Slot, pg slots, full of broken slots. Let every gambler choose from many forms of fun
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Including the most popular slots, new game slots, easy-to-break slots, and many slot games. PG Slot, pg slots, full of broken slots. Let every gambler choose from many forms of fun
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
https://casino2win.net/
https://casino2win.net/ Enter to play online slots directly, online slots, easy to break slots, many players have achieved their goals in gambling.
Nov 2, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
“I think commenting is the best part of my blogging – especially here at Pro Blogger. You see I’m not that profound or wise, but many of my readers are. Comments add value to my blog. They take my posts to the next level and often take my ideas in rewarding new directions.”
Nov 1, 2025   |  Reply
 
Including the most popular slots, new game slots, easy-to-break slots, and many slot games. PG Slot, pg slots, full of broken slots. Let every gambler choose from many forms of fun
Nov 2, 2025
 
 
 
Amazing post from this website. Post from this website are very useful for me. Thanks for providing this types of article.
Nov 1, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Natch brother - all I do is spout pearls of wisdom all day long!! LMBFAOAROTF!@!!!

But thanks for noticing.

Dave
Nov 1, 2025
 
 
 
That was more than karaoke. it felt like a live concert! You totally owned the mic and won everyone’s hearts.
Oct 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Holy Lolapalooza! It's been a semi-secret in my life that I like to GLAM UP and belt out a few tunes at my local watering hole. I didn't ever think that one of my FANS would stumble in to one of my performances!!! ROTFLMBFAO!!!!

Which song did you like best: Girls Just Want to Have Fun, or Highway to Hell?

Next time, please introduce yourself!! I promise, I don't bite!!!! (unless we both mutually agree that we would like that!!!!!)

Fondly yours in TV,

Dave
Oct 28, 2025
 
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 141  | 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.