FRIDAY
OCTOBER 4
2019

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Amazon Prime Video, 3:00 a.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: It’s not Chinatown, Jake, but it’s close. In the Season 3 premiere of this Billy Bob Thornton legal series, Thornton’s Billy McBride squares off against a tough new adversary: a corporate California farmer who’s profiting from his neighbors illegally by siphoning off their water rights. And the farmer is played by Dennis Quaid, who’s signed on as a season-long recurring player. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower
 
  
 
 

Netflix, 3:00 a.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Season 5 of this rough-and-tumble British series begins with its characters and focus spread far and wide, from native England to Monte Carlo and the United States. All the fast-moving initial action, though, takes place on the same day: the day in 1929 on which the American stock market crashed, plunging the country into the Great Depression. And because of their international financial investments, some of the Peaky characters become greatly depressed as well. For full reviews, see Kim Akass' Aerial View, and David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower.
 
  
 
 

Various Networks, 2:00 p.m. ET

All eight teams playing in the postseason take to the field today – well, to four fields, when all is said and done – in search of victory. The first of the day’s games is on Fox Sports 1 at 2 p.m,. ET, when FS1 televises Game 1 in the American League Division Series between Tampa Bay and Houston. At 4:30 p.m. ET, TBS presents Game 2 in the National League Division Series contest between St. Louis and Atlanta. (In last night’s Game 1, the Braves had a 3-1 lead going into the eighth inning, but the Cardinals surged late and won, 7-6.) At 7 p.m. ET, the Major League Baseball Network offers Game 1 of the ALDS matchup between Minnesota and the New York Yankees. And finally, at 9:30 p.m. ET, TBS presents Game 2 of the NLDS between the Washington and the L.A. Dodgers. (The Dodgers crushed their rivals in last night’s Game 1, 6-0.)
 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: If you’re still watching this series, it’s about to get very, very personal. Liz (Megan Boone, pictured) is still dealing with the abduction of her father, Red, played by James Spader – and the dealing doesn’t become easier now that it’s known that his kidnapper, and torturer, is none other than Liz’s other parent, her long-lost mom. The family that preys together… For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower
 
  
 
 

BBC America, 11:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: This is the Season 26 premiere for television’s most entertaining talk show, and the one where the talk, more than the clips or stunts, is front and center. Among tonight’s season-opening guests: Dame Helen Mirren, whose visits she always approaches with so much irreverence and honesty, she is nothing like a Dame…
 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 11:00 p.m. ET

Speaking of irreverent talk: Tonight, Jeselnik’s guest is the always outspoken Tig Notaro. This ought to be good… and raw.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
FVJRF
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.