WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 8

2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CW, 9:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: This spinoff of Arrow actually was unveiled last night, but tonight, after the season premiere of Arrow, the DC Comics series that spawned it, it has a next-day repeat airing, and it’s worth a look. That’s especially true in this context, where The Flash shines by comparison: It’s lighter, more entertaining, and all-out better than Arrow – and more of a TV superhero bullseye. The special effects are quite good – but it’s Grant Gustin, formerly of Glee, who takes the title role and really runs with it. Really runs with it.

SOUTH PARK

Comedy Central, 10:00 p.m. ET

On tonight’s episode, Cartman is upset by Stan’s girlfriend, who, according to the grapevine, has expressed a recently discovered interest in the female sex. So, Cartman wants to know, what does that make Stan? A hint from the episode’s title: “The Cissy.”

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: Because of the season-long anthology approach of this series, tonight’s episode actually should count as a series premiere. It’s an all-new story, with some stellar returning stars – Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates – joined by some bold newcomers to the American Horror Story fold. Paulson is the amazing scene-stealer this week, Michael Chiklis and Angela Bassett show up next week, and other favorites are held back even longer, but there’s plenty of excitement for this expanded premiere episode, so much so that I consider Freak Show, based on the first two episodes, this series’ best outing yet. And TVWW contributor Ed Bark agrees: Read his full review in Uncle Barky’s Bytes.

BYE BYE BIRDIE

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

This 1963 movie musical, playing off the Elvis Presley craze and his headline-grabbing appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, stars Jesse Pearson as Conrad Birdie, a hip-swiveling, lip-sneering, guitar-playing pop star. Pau Lynde plays the protective father of a daughter who wins a fan contest to receive a personal visit from Birdie. The daughter is played by Ann-Margret, who steals the show from the start (literally: from the opening credits) – but Lynde does get to sing an ode to Ed Sullivan that I, as a TV historian, enjoy a lot. Though I must say that, when this movie was released, I enjoyed Ann-Margret a lot more.

THE COLBERT REPORT

Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. ET

Carol Burnett already has appeared on The Colbert Report this year, doing a droll comedy bit about sarcasm with host Stephen Colbert – but that was patched in via satellite. On tonight’s show, she shows up in person, which is more than reason enough to tune in.

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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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FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

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