TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 3
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

I woke up in the middle of the night this morning to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation, one of the overnight silent-movie treats on Turner Classic Movies. I switched channels before the racist second half of the movie, which I show in film class, but that’s plenty, thanks. Tonight in prime time, TCM presents another early Griffith cinematic epic that’s a lot more palatable: a movie that actually decries bigotry rather than champions it. Lillian Gish stars in this multi-story 1916 drama, which occupies all of prime time.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

This evocative, instructive documentary series from Ken Burns and company (in this case, the primary voice being that of writer-producer Dayton Duncan, who even appears on camera) is repeated tonight through Friday on PBS. And it arrives at a time when Yosemite National Park is in the headlines because firefighters are battling major blazes there – so this series is as timely as it is timeless. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

BBC America, 10:00 p.m. ET

MINISERIES RETURN: Tonight through Friday, this BBC detective series, starring Idris Elba as the emotionally stressed investigator, presents its third – and final – season. Sienna Guillory plays Mary, his new girlfriend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Luther is mellowing. Or that the deadly, unhinged Alice (Ruth Wilson, pictured) isn’t still lurking in the shadows.

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 11:00 p.m. ET

John Oliver did a first-rate, really impressive job sitting in for Jon Stewart this summer, so kudos to him. But a hearty welcome back to Jon Stewart, who takes over the reins again beginning tonight.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 11:00 p.m. ET

Once again, tonight’s new episode of Web Therapy makes room for some new clients. And tonight, Fiona (Lisa Kudrow) meets one you won’t want to miss: Nick, a potential online gambling addict played by former Friends co-star Matt Le Blanc, who’s already done such great post-NBC cable work on Showtime’s Episodes. As expected, he and Kudrow are effortlessly successful, and funny, here as well.

 
  
 
 
 
 
Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!
 
 
 
 
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3808 Comments
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article is packed with insights! I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making it so engaging. Well done!
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Such an amazing read! Your ability to explain things in a simple yet detailed way is truly impressive.
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey sweetie,

It's not that complicated! It's TV!!! Do what I do!!!!! Grab a six pack of Miller Lite, crack the first one open and drink it. Rinse and repeat!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!!!

Just let the TV flow over you.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

Dave
Apr 21, 2026
 
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was well explained since it stayed concise and clear. Thanks for sharing this insight.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Practical stream
A thoughtful reflection on TV criticism’s evolution and legacy—blending nostalgia, personal memories, and appreciation for creators who shaped meaningful viewing experiences.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Situs web ini benar-benar penipuan, jangan percayai mereka.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 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.