MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 7
2015

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

ESPN 2, 11:00 a.m. ET

The highest-profile match today occurs at night, after 7 p.m. ET, when No. 2 seed Roger Federer plays in prime time. Watch to see if Federer unleashes his newly developed weapon, which he calls SABR. It stands for Sneak Attack By Roger, and it has him, rarely and very unexpectedly, rushing forward as his opponent serves, to meet the incoming serve about midcourt. Otherwise, it’s one day and counting before Serena and Venus Williams play in the next round – on opposite sides of the net.

 
  
 
 

FX, 12:00 p.m. ET

What yummier way to celebrate a holiday than with a bunch of Cookies? Beginning at noon ET today, FX is borrowing the first season of Empire from sister network Fox, and showing it in its entirety in one 10-part Labor Day marathon.
 
  
 
 

Buzzr, 8:00 p.m. ET

Apparently, there’s a game-show-obsessed network, other than the Game Show Network, called Buzzr. Also apparently, this week Buzzr, which is available in certain TV and cable markets (check the Buzzr website), is devoting prime time this week to “Lost Pilots Week.” First up: Amelia Earhart. (Just kidding. What? Too soon?) Actually, first up, at 8 p.m. ET, is the original 1962 pilot of The Match Game, followed by one of the few surviving episodes from the early Sixties, featuring Orson Bean and Jayne Mansfield. Other interesting rarities and oddities occupy prime time the rest of the week, including the 1963 Let’s Make a Deal pilot Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, and, somewhere along the way, pilots for such forgotten or never-were game shows as Star Words, Now You See It, Body Language and Child’s Play. You can sample the Match Game pilot on YouTube, if you can’t wait to hit the Buzzr – and all this information comes courtesy of a friendly TVWW reader, Jerzon Vargas, who worked harder on this entry than I have. Send me your mailing address, Jerzon, and you’ve earned a TVWW TV key chain!
 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Part 1. Between today and Friday, PBS is rebroadcasting this landmark Ken Burns documentary series – a newly remastered version, with both sound and images, in honor of this massive and superb historical miniseries’ silver anniversary. Tonight, we get the lead-up to the war, lots of the endearing commentary of Shelby Foote, the first Battle of Bull Run – and, as a capper, the Sullivan Ballou letter, one of the best moments of television in the past 25 years. For an in-depth interview with Ken Burns, see Noel Holston’s The Grassy Noel – and for my own remarks on The Civil War, and a few more comments from Ken Burns, see my own Bianculli’s Blog. Check local listings.
 
  
 
 

TCM, 12:00 a.m. ET

Here’s a rarely televised movie: From 1971, it’s a moody sci-fi parable, set centuries in the future, about a man who rebels against his regimented society. It’s the first movie by George Lucas, who wrote and directed it. It stars Robert Duvall, and is executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola, who must have liked what he saw of Duvall here. The following year, Coppola cast Duvall in The Godfather – and the year after that, in 1973, Coppola co-produced American Graffiti, the next film written and produced by Lucas. And then the next film Lucas wrote and directed was a little thing called Star Wars. It all started here, with his first, much darker futuristic fantasy. Co-stars include Donald Pleasance and, believe it or not, Marshall Efron.
 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
IITJA
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 145  | Go to page: 
2888 Comments
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Dec 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Dec 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Dec 27, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Zyon Grand is an outstanding residential project that truly reflects modern luxury and refined living. With its elegant design, premium construction quality, and thoughtfully planned spaces, it offers a comfortable and sophisticated lifestyle. The serene environment, excellent amenities, and prime location make Zyon Grand an ideal choice for families and investors seeking both value and elegance.
Dec 26, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day!
Dec 26, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts.
Dec 24, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Amazing post! Karaoke is a fantastic way to bond with friends and family.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu licik menjalankan operasi kotor yang dibangun di atas kebohongan dan penipuan.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini pantas untuk diungkap kebohongan dan kebusukan mereka.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Tidak ada yang nyata di sini. Hanya omong kosong penuh tipu daya dari orang-orang serakah.
Dec 23, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign.
Dec 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
I don't know what you're smoking Ja-moke, but please pass that pipe over here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

SEriously, we're here to talk about TV, seriously. I am the Professor Emeritus of TV.

And that is all.

Dave
Dec 21, 2025
 
 
 
Your Site is very nice, and it's very helping us this post is unique and interesting, thank you for sharing this awesome information. and visit our blog site also.
Dec 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
your letter was perfectly fine until that last phrase.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

MY TV WEBSITE, THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD, IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOU TO SHILL YOUR SHITTY BLOG!!!!!

Please delete your post.

Merry Christmas,

Dave
Dec 20, 2025
 
 
 
Feedback
Korea’s online slot site rankings and slot machine game information
https://rcgormangallery.com/kr-33/
Dec 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
"all the time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear their motive, and
that is also happening with this post which I
am reading now."
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
av19
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
Dec 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Pelayanan paling anjing yang pernah kami alami. Setelah uang masuk, sikap berubah total. Komplain diabaikan, solusi tidak ada, dan tanggung jawab nol besar.
Dec 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hei bajingan, pergilah dan tiduri kuda yang kau tunggangi itu, lalu tinggalkan komunitas cinta dan damai yang berfokus pada TV ini.

Hormat saya,

Dave
Dec 18, 2025
 
 
 
You made some decent points there. I looked on the net to the issue and found most people may go as well as using your site.
Dec 16, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
FRom your lips to GOD'S ears mother-fucka!!!!!!!

I want to see this little corner of the internet become THE go-to site for everything and anything that has to do with TV. Some of you may know that TV is my middle name. Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!

Marry Chritmas,

Dave
Dec 16, 2025
 
 
 
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
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 145  | 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.