THURSDAY
OCTOBER 4
2012

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

Last week’s series premiere set up the unusual, high-concept premise of this new action drama series: a U.S. submarine, commanded by Andre Braugher, goes against a direct order to fire missiles upon Pakistan, and ends up being counter-attacked by its own American military. That was last week. So what happens this week, and how does this mutinous standoff translate to a weekly series? Stay tuned – and, as our critics agree in this year’s TVWW Fall TV Preview, it’s one of the new few series worth a second look.
 
  
 
 

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

This sitcom has managed to stay fresh over the years, due more than a little by giving more screen time, and story weight, to the female cast members and focusing on the geeks’ significant others. This week, Penny is considering severing ties with Leonard – again – and Sheldon learns about it before his roommate does.
 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: This show’s seventh and last season begins as Tina Fey and company present the final round of zany stories involving their core crazy characters. As the season begins, it’s a time of changes: Jack (Alec Baldwin) is single, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) is getting married, and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) and Liz (Fey) are in solid relationships – though not to each other.
 
  
 
 

AMC, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1996 Coen Brothers murder mystery comedy is where Frances McDormand broke into the starring ranks, where William H. Macy reached a more recognizable level of stardom, and where Steve Buscemi absolutely stole his scenes and cemented his character-actor favored status. All that, and it’s a wild, entertaining movie, based on a grisly murder case that actually happened.
 
  
 
 

CBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Finch is still missing, and Reese is still looking for him – and tonight, he gets help from a source who may look very familiar. She’s played by Margo Martindale, who won an Emmy as the mountain matriarch on Justified two seasons ago.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
CBHOT
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | Go to page: 
3695 Comments
 
 
Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article. I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article.
Mar 26, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Victory Foods OEM
Bianculli’s curation effectively balances nostalgia with timely cultural markers, especially highlighting the ironic origins of Aquaman alongside the poignant Morrison tribute. https://victoryfoodscn.com
Mar 25, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This specific is generally clearly basic and in addition exceptional truth alongside without a doubt reasonable and besides in fact valuable My business is
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
With our trusted and highly trained shipping professionals ready to answer all of your shipping questions,
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Great survey, I'm sure you're getting a great response
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Even after using several ways to increase WordPress speed it was difficult to score high on Google Speed Test
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This specific is generally clearly basic and in addition exceptional truth alongside without a doubt reasonable and besides in fact valuable My business is
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
It is a good site post without fail. Not too many people would actually, the way you just did. I am impressed that there is so much information about this subject that has been uncovered and you’ve defeated yourself this time, with so much quality. Good Works!
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Penipu berkualitas rendah tanpa integritas dan penuh kebohongan.
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Mar 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
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
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 185  | 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.