TUESDAY
JUNE 3
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film was a genre masterpiece then, and it’s a genre masterpiece today – and, most likely, will remain a genre masterpiece tomorrow. The movie seems to be almost nothing but extended set pieces, each iconic movie sequence leading to another. Monoliths. Moon shuttles. Malevolent supercomputers. Star childs. Trips to the end of space and time. And speaking of trips – watch again, as paranoid shipboard computer HAL uses his photographic red “eye” lens to eavesdrop on his ship’s human astronauts by reading their lips. It’s the same series of shots replicated in a recent Mad Men, as Michael Ginsberg went crazy while watching Lou Avery and Jim Cutler having a private conversation in the new computer room.

 
  
 
 

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

This show just builds and builds, as its characters deepen along with the plot. And Billy Bob Thornton as Malvo – he may just be the most deadpan antihero, or villain, in TV history. Or at least since Miguel Ferrer popped up as super-droll FBI forensics specialist Albert in Twin Peaks.

 
  
 
 

Syfy, 10:00 p.m. ET

So now we know what Wil Wheaton’s new show is all about. It’s an overview of the week in sci fi – part recap, part preview, and part politely snarky observational humor. The humor needs a little work, but Wheaton, and Syfy, may be on to something here, especially with the proliferation of the Talking Dead-type TV shows popping up all of a sudden. And with Chris Hardwick, that show's host, popping up on Wheaton's first show as well...
 
  
 
 

TCM, 10:45 p.m. ET

2001: A Space Odyssey isn’t the only outer-space film classic shown tonight on TCM. Right after that 1968 movie ends, 1979’s Alien begins – and, before long, presents one of the scariest scenes in all of science fiction cinema. Sigourney Weaver stars.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 4:45 a.m. ET

Earlier this same evening, TCM presents a groundbreaking outer-space movie in terms of themes and special effects (2001: A Space Odyssey), followed by an equally groundbreaking one in terms of gender (Alien, presenting Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley as a take-no-prisoners heroine). Stay up long enough, though, and those films from the Sixties and Seventies, respectively, will be crushed in counterpoint by this movie from the Fifties. Queen of Outer Space, made in 1958, is as laughably horrible in terms of special effects (so laughabkle it’s enjoyable) as it is in terms of its portrayal of women – who, in this outrageous space fantasy, rule a planet! Zsa Zsa Gabor stars, but not in the titular role.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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3694 Comments
 
 
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Gerda Lundgren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Hialeah Auto Glass Repair (https://autoglassrepairhialeah.com/) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Golly Gerda, you make me blush with your kind words, but maybe instead of giving me praise, how about giving me a discount on your service bills!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Dave
Mar 22, 2026
 
 
 
Rut Holmgren
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on West Palm Beach Auto Glass Repair (https://westpalmbeachautoglassrepair.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Birger Samuelsson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Macon Auto Glass Repair at https://autoglassrepairmacon.com/ is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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Excellent as always! The shop guys at Boca Raton Auto Glass Repair put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://bocaratonautoglassrepair.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sigrun Lindholm
Another great set of picks! My trucking partners and I share your recommendations over coffee. We rely on Brighton Towing Company (https://brightontowingcompany.com) for vehicle service. TVWW makes the downtime worthwhile.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Karl Forsberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Sunrise Towing Company (https://sunrisetowingcompany.com) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
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Solveig Johanson
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Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Arvid Berggren
Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Colorado Springs Mobile Mechanic (https://coloradospringcosmobilemechanic.com) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Frida Sundberg
Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Citrus Heights Towing Company (http://www.towingcitrusheights.com/) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!
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Viggo Lundqvist
TV Worth Watching has guided my viewing habits for years. My dispatcher uses Lafayette Auto Glass Repair at https://lafayetteautoglassrepair.com for fleet repairs and turned me onto this site. Two great recommendations!
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.