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MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 30
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 
STAGECOACH

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Immediately after TCM shows this 1939 John Ford Western, starring John Wayne, the documentary The Story of Film: An Odyssey will explain why it’s considered such a cinematic masterpiece. But by then, if you watched at all closely, you’ll know.

 
  
 
 
2013 IHEARTRADIO MUSIC FESTIVAL

CW, 8:00 p.m. ET

Part 1 of 2. Highlights from this music festival, taped Sept. 20-21 in Las Vegas, are shown tonight and tomorrow night on the CW. Among the artists shown tonight: Katy Perry (pictured, with jump rope), Queen with Adam Lambert, and Elton John.

 
  
 
 
THE STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

Part 5. I hope you’re watching this 2012 documentary series, because it’s as smart as it is inspirational. Tonight’s edition is 1939-1952 – The Devastation of War and a New Movie Language, a period that covers many movie masterworks. (Hell, just the films released in America in 1939 are enough to fill a Brilliant Film Festival.) Two movies shown tonight on TCM as companion pieces are highlighted elsewhere in today’s Best Bets: 1939’s Stagecoach, John Ford’s Western classic, at 8 p.m. ET, and 1941’s Citizen Kane, Orson Welles’ masterpiece, at 11:15 p.m. ET. And watch out for another one as well: 1946’s The Best Years of Our Lives (pictured), televised at 1:30 a.m. ET.

 
  
 
 
THE BLACKLIST

NBC, 10:01 p.m. ET

In tonight’s Episode 2, Red (James Spader) goes from orange prison jumpsuit to black tuxedo – and takes Liz (Megan Boone) along for the ride, as part of an undercover operation to protect an alleged target. Said target, by the way, is played by guest star Isabella Rossellini.

 
  
 
 
CITIZEN KANE

TCM, 11:15 p.m. ET

Orson Welles co-wrote this 1941 movie with Herman J. Mankiewicz. He directed it. He starred in it. And he changed cinema because of it. This movie is the culmination of my Film History and Appreciation course at Rowan University, and with good reason. Watch it – and try, these days, not to think about Rupert Murdoch.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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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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