WEDNESDAY

FEBRUARY 4

2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

IFC, 8:00 p.m. ET

This Quentin Tarantino movie officially is an adult film now: This influential 1994 drama is now 21 years old. Fans of this film have their own favorite story lines – and while there are lots from which to choose, it’s tough not to love the scenes pairing John Travolta with Uma Thurman, especially when they’re ordering food, or dancing, at a strange theme restaurant and dance hall.

SWING TIME

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers star in this 1936 romantic comedy, which has the duo paired on the dance floor much more than off it – at least for a while.

FRESH OFF THE BOAT

ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: Twenty years after ABC’s All-American Girl, starring Margaret Cho, became the first broadcast network sitcom focusing on Asian-Americans, the network tries, tries again. Two episodes are shown tonight – one before, and one after, Modern Family – and while ABC’s focus on diversity is commendable, these first installments of Fresh Off the Boat aren’t nearly as funny as they need to be. Right now, this period comedy doesn’t measure up to The Goldbergs, much less to The Wonder Years. But it has a voice, and a spark, that may ignite in future weeks, so stay tuned.

EMPIRE

Fox, 9:01 p.m. ET

So if you’re a powerful music mogul, and you want to make a romantic move, what’s better than romancing her to a recording by Anthony Hamilton? How about romancing her to a performance by the real Anthony Hamilton? Tonight, he’s one of this show’s special guest stars, in a series that continues to gain both viewers and dramatic momentum.

THE AMERICANS

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

Don’t miss tonight’s episode. It has a surprise in it, and a few subsequent scenes, that anyone who cares about this series will be discussing tomorrow morning. Some of these scenes must have been fun to play – but boy, they’re wincingly tough to watch, in a good way.

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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

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Birger Samuelsson

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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

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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

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Einar Magnusson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Vilhelm Lindqvist

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Ingeborg Jacobsson

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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

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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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

IFC, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

Fox, 9:01 p.m. ET

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

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