THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 4
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Encore, 8:00 p.m. ET

Look at all the people who, way back in 1986, collaborated on this superb coming-of-age period drama. There’s Stephen King, who wrote the novel on which it’s based. And Rob Reiner, who directed it. And River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and Kiefer Sutherland, who starred in it. And don’t forget Richard Dreyfuss, who plays the adult writer looking back. Good look. Great movie.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET

This is complicated. Next week, CBS premieres Thursday Night Football, a midweek franchise it’s paid a lot – a lot – to televise this coming football season. Meanwhile, this week, NBC presents a special Thursday edition of its regular Sunday Night Football series, television’s most popular show. It’s the Seattle Seahawks, the defending Super Bowl champions led by QB Russell Wilson, against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. It’s bound to be a highly rated game – which means NBC is helping build a Thursday audience for CBS.

 
  
 
 

IFC, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s episode is called “Hair Swap,” and investigates the theory about men having different responses to different female hair colors by having Garfunkel and Oates (Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci) trading tresses – and becoming brunette and blonde, respectively, to see if anyone notices. And yes, attention is paid.

 
  
 
 

Sundance, 10:00 p.m. ET

The hostage ordeal survived by Nessa (Maggie Gyllenhaal) eight years ago continues to haunt her – and to have an impact on her current negotiations regarding her initiative to make cable TV and the Internet more available in the Middle East. And the dangers she confronted so long ago are not necessarily all behind her…

 
  
 
 

NBC, 11:35 p.m. ET

Larry David doesn’t do the talk-show rounds much at all – so his scheduled appearance on tonight’s Tonight Show is noteworthy. And even more so, since he’s sure to be discussing his just-announced Broadway debut.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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3694 Comments
 
 
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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
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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.
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
 
 
 
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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.