FRIDAY
JANUARY 30
2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

What a behind-the-scenes comedy powerhouse was at work here, for this 1972 dark comedy character study. Bruce Jay Friedman wrote the story, Neil Simon wrote the screenplay, and Elaine May directed it. That’s about as potent as it gets, comedy-wise – and on screen, everything works, too. It’s the story of a young Jewish man who becomes smitten with a beautiful young blonde from the Midwest – but it’s poor timing, because he meets her while on his honeymoon to someone else. Jeannie Berlin plays the someone else, Charles Grodin plays the conflicted newlywed, and the object of his fantasies is played by – wait for it – Cybill Shepherd.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: This marvelous arts documentary series returns for a second season, serving up double doses of installments devoted to a celebration and analysis of the plays of William Shakespeare. For this Season 2 opener, examining A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the host and guide is Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, whose first acting job was in a 1986 stage production of Dream. This hour includes glimpses of the first film version (from 1909, a silent Shakespeare!), and of the infamous 1935 Hollywood version (James Cagney as Bottom! Mickey Rooney as Puck!). But there’s not nearly enough of the superb version, featuring Helen Mirren as a luminous Titania (pictured), made in 1981 for the BBC-PBS co-production of The Shakespeare Plays – and no glimpse of Diana Rigg in director Peter Hall’s 1968 movie version. But what is here is delightful, and valuable: historical perspective, poetic insights, and samples from recent stage productions by Julie Taymor in the U.S. and the Globe Theatre in London.  A great installment of a great series, and a worthy companion to the work of our greatest playwright. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

The second of this season’s new examinations of Shakespeare plays, this hour looks at one of his darkest tragedies, King Lear. Christopher Plummer, one of the play’s veteran stars (pictured), is the guide, and one of the best elements here is how Plummer reflects on the various Lear performances captured on screen. Also, we hear from one of them, Ian McKellen, who was so impressive decades ago, on stage and later on TV, in his 1984 one-man theatrical production, Acting Shakespeare. He certainly deserves to be here – as does Jonathan Miller, one of the directors and stewards of the mammoth, ambitious Shakespeare Plays TV production of that same era, Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 10:00 p.m. ET

One of this comedy duo’s funniest and most famous sketches is the East-West Bowl lineup of college football players – a seemingly endless roster of increasingly ridiculously named players. The first sketch went on forever, which was part of its comic genius, and momentum carried on easily to a second installment. Now, as part of this one-hour special, we get Part 3 – and the more college bowls you watched this year, the funnier you’ll find this particular sketch. But watch regardless. These guys are good.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

There’s another strong lineup on this week’s show, including Laura Poitras, whose documentary about Edward Snowden, CitizenFour, has been nominated for an Oscar. But the biggest draw is someone who’s already won an Oscar – and at least one Tony, Grammy and Emmy as well. It’s Mel Brooks – showing up to publicize his HBO special, Mel Brooks at the Geffen, which premieres tomorrow night.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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3685 Comments
 
 
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
 
 
Inga Henriksen
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lakewood Fence Company put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://fencecompanylakewood.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Harald Almgren
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!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Solveig Johanson
Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lincoln Mobile Mechanic put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://lincolnmobilemechanic.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.
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!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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
 
 
Tyra Stromberg
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Lauderhill Towing Company (https://lauderhilltowing.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Olle Lindgren
Quality criticism is rare and Bianculli delivers every time. I run trucks for a living and Framingham Towing Company (https://towingframingham.com) handles our maintenance. Your site handles my entertainment. Both essential.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Einar Magnusson
Always trust Bianculli's taste. My brother-in-law drives commercially and swears by Oakland Park Towing Company (https://oaklandparktowing.com) for his rig. Same confidence I have in TVWW for TV picks. Two reliable sources.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Vilhelm Lindqvist
Loyal reader checking in! I'm in freight logistics and Arlington Concrete Company (https://arlingtonconcretecompany.com) keeps our trucks roadworthy. Your Best Bets column keeps our break room lively. Much appreciated.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Ingeborg Jacobsson
Been following TVWW since my nephew showed me this site years ago. He drives for a freight company and uses Opelika Towing Company (https://opelikatowing.com) for repairs. Your recommendations are his off-hours staple.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Oskar Mattsson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Auburn Concrete Company at https://auburnconcreteco.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Brita Hansson
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Chesapeake Concrete Driveway Company at https://chesapeakedriveway.com - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Astrid Svensson
Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Reno Pro Mobile Mechanic at https://renopromobilemechanic.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.
Mar 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Gunhild Larsson
TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair at https://auroraautoglassrepair.net/ - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!
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.