THURSDAY
DECEMBER 4
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

LIVE: Gather the family, make some snacks, tune the TV to NBC, and straight on till morning: These are the directions to experience Peter Pan, live on television, the way it was last experienced live, when I saw it as wide-eyed child in 1960. I did grow up – but I’m still excited by Peter Pan anyway. This new production stars Allison Williams and Christopher Walken. For a full preview, see Bianculli’s Blog, or go straight to my report on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross.
 
  
 
 

NFL Network, 8:25 p.m. ET

Two of “America’s Teams,” the Cowboys and Da Bears, do battle on a Thursday night game that ought to be very highly rated, even on the NFL Network. It’s Dallas vs. Chicago, with the Bears enjoying a frigid home advantage.

 
  
 
 

Fox, 9:00 p.m. ET

This is the penultimate episode of this Americianized remake of Broadchurch, and one of the episodes where it veers significantly from its original inspiration. One thing to worry about, at this juncture: Will its mystery conclude next week, with the season finale? Or will Gracepoint try to pull a Killing and stretch out its story over two seasons? Because that sure ended well…

 
  
 
 

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

Frank Capra directed this 1941 classic, about a man (Gary Cooper) whose personal philosophy sounds positively Buddhist: to protest certain conditions, he threatens to commit suicide publicly. Except this “John Doe” didn’t exist, until Cooper’s character was persuaded to embody him – and a media storm erupts around him. Also erupting around him: Barbara Stanwyck, at her most beautiful. And cynical.

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 11:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s interview segment may as well be an episode of Directors’ Showcase. The host is Jon Stewart, director of Rosewater. His guest is Angelina Jolie, director of Unbroken. Remember when neither of them was a hyphenate?

 
  
 
 
 
 
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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
 
 
 
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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.