FRIDAY

OCTOBER 6

2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

NPR, Check local listings

I know, it's radio, not TV. But where else can I proudly trumpet that today on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, the show is repeating her interview with me, from last year, tied to the new paperback publication of my latest book, The Platinum Age of Television: From 'I Love Lucy' to 'The Walking Dead,' How TV Became Terrific. Yes, it's blatant self-promotion. But if not here, where? And if not now, when? And besides -- as Terry interviews me today, she gets me to talk more personally than I ever have on radio. She's tricky that way. But please: Hear the show. Buy the book. And keep visiting TVWW. Thanks to all, for all.

ONCE UPON A TIME

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: At least give ABC credit for consistency, and for thematic scheduling. Tonight, for the first time, the network is pairing two of its projects that suffer from the same internal, infectious rot: too much access to franchise characters, with too little regard for coherent and compelling story lines. (See also: Marvel’s Inhumans. Except don’t see it.) Tonight, Once Upon a Time, a show that began strongly and cleverly when it premiered years ago, embarks on Season 7, with a premiere that jettisons most of its former regular stars and characters, and hits reboot in order to keep this ship afloat. With access to the Disney universe of characters, animated and live-action, the potential remains significant – but last year was such a hot mess (more of a lukewarm mess, really) that it’s dubious there’s an effective course correction in store. Optimists should watch, once, to taste the new flavor. Lana Parrilla (pictured) is one of the few cast members to make the transition to the new series – but not, at first, as her old character.

GREAT PERFORMANCES: "HAVANA TIME MACHINE"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Raul Malo, the Grammy-winning artist from the Mavericks, hosts this performance documentary celebrating the music and heritage of Cuban music. He also performs “Siboney” with the band led by Eliades Ochoa, one of the standout stars of the ensemble, and movie, Buena Vista Social Club. Other performers include Malo, Ivette Cepeda, Roberto Fonseca, and the Sweet Lizzy Project. Check local listings.

ACTIVE SHOOTER: AMERICA UNDER FIRE

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

Last week, this documentary series – with each installment dedicated to an analysis of recent mass shootings in the U.S. – premiered with the 2012 mass shooting at the suburban Colorado movie theater in Aurora, during the midnight Batman premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Seventy people were shot in 90 seconds – which sounded like a horrendous amount of carnage. Then, on Sunday, the mass shooting in Las Vegas occurred, with the apparently lone gunman claiming, at recent count, 58 deaths and nearly 500 wounded. This series is well-researched, thoughtfully presented, and focuses with care on the victims, family members and friends, and first responders. But the fact that this series exists at all – and has a brand-new sequel already waiting to be made – is a sad, sad thing to contemplate. Tonight’s topic: The 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, in which a man and his wife opened fire during an all-day holiday party and training seminar, that left 14 dead and 22 wounded. Showtime announced this second episode would be televised as scheduled, even though a Monday repeat of last week’s show was pulled out of respect for breaking events in Las Vegas.

MARVEL'S INHUMANS

ABC, 9:01 p.m. ET

This is not a recommendation. There’s reason to have comic-book fatigue when it comes to TV adaptations these days, but not all series, or mutants, are created equal. Earlier this week, another entry in the Marvel pantheon of programs, Fox’s The Gifted, premiered, and was surprisingly, refreshingly good. But Marvel’s Inhumans, which premiered last week, is an unwatchable mess. It’s had to believe these two series sprang from the same universe, much less the same (Marvel) Universe.

20/20

ABC, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s hour is dedicated to the first responders and other heroes in this week’s Las Vegas shooting massacre. Elizabeth Vargas and David Muir host.

MIKE JUDGE PRESENTS: TALES FROM THE TOUR BUS

Cinemax, 10:00 p.m. ET

Tales from the Tour Bus, by Mike Judge, is one of the sneakiest, most entertaining and original surprises of the current TV season. What he’s done here, basically, is a series of documentaries about country music and some of the stars’ reputed misadventures. And he’s done it with first-rate interviews, which are then animated and folded into the animated “action.” Tonight is part one of a two-part study about one-time country royal couple, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. She sang “Stand By Your Man” – then, for good reason, didn’t.

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

Among the scheduled guests on tonight’s lineup: Billy Crystal, Russell Brand, and political strategist Steve Schmidt – three extremely quotable fellows.

<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>

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)


Type in the verification word shown on the image.

Page: 1 of 144 | Go to page:

2869 Comments

??????

Karakoe stands out as a truly impressive platform, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience for its users. The quality, creativity, and attention to detail are evident in every aspect, making it both reliable and engaging. Whether it’s the user-friendly design or the consistent performance, Karakoe delivers excellent value and leaves a positive, lasting impression.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

Pad-mount transformer

Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

????????

hey! I just want to give an full-size thumbs up for the pleasant info you've got right here in this put up.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

???????

This Post is providing valuable and unique information; I know that you take a time and effort to make a awesome article

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

????????

Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

????? ????

When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

????

Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

???????

This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

???????

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

???????

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

????

Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out any person with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the web, somebody with a little originality

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

?????

Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

?? ????

Excellent points?I would notice that as someone who in reality doesn’t write on blogs a lot (actually, this can be my first publish), I don’t assume the

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

?? ????

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

?????

Very efficiently written information. It will be beneficial to anybody who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work. For sure i will check out more posts. This site seems to get a good amount of visitor

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

???????

Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

?????

Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

antminer s21

I truly enjoy studying on this site, it has fantastic blog posts.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

mlb??

You have performed a great job on this article.It’s very precise and highly qualitative. You have even managed to make it readable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you so much.

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

????? ??

Thanks for the wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading

Dec 14, 2025 | Reply

Page: 1 of 144 | 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.

New From TVWW

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

NPR, Check local listings

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

ABC, 9:01 p.m. ET

ABC, 10:00 p.m. ET

Cinemax, 10:00 p.m. ET

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

David Bianculli

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy