TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 8
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

Various Networks, 7:00 p.m. ET

Once upon a time, broadcast TV news coverage of election returns was the only game in town. Now it’s just one game among many, but there are times when Monopoly and Sorry are fun to play, if only for old time’s sake. (And this year, without getting too political, Monopoly and Sorry seem like particularly appropriate pastimes.)  After evening newscasts, special political coverage by the respective broadcast networks begins at 7 p.m. ET, under their individual banners and names. At CBS, it’s Campaign 2016: CBS News. At NBC, it’s NBC News Special: 2016 Election. At ABC, it’s ABC News: Your Voice, Your Vote. And on noncommercial TV, there’s PBS NewsHour Election coverage. Which one to watch? My advice, as with the cable news networks listed individually below, is to flip around and keep in on them all. After a few minutes, each network operation will reveal just what it knows, and thinks, at that moment. Take it in, then jump around, and compare and contrast. Unlike in the voting booth, you have more than one choice you can make.

 
  
 
 

MSNBC, 5:00 p.m. ET

MSNBC’s packaged umbrella coverage of Election Day 2016 gets an hour jump on its competition at CNN and Fox News – though over on those networks, news, by any other name, will be delivered simultaneously. Just in slightly different flavors. Please sample them all. Think of Election Night coverage as a buffet, not a binge. Hop around. Nibble. And save room for dessert, with Stephen Colbert on Showtime...

 
  
 
 

CNN, 6:00 p.m. ET

On Morning Joe this morning on MSNBC, the hosts and pundits agreed about the places on which to focus tonight – not the cable or broadcast networks, but the states, Florida and North Carolina. If one or both goes for Hillary Clinton, especially Florida, the night’s an early one. If they both go for Donald Trump, then it’s going to be a long night. We no longer have NBC’s Tim Russert and his “Florida! Florida! Florida!” mini-whiteboard – but in 2016, the medium has the same message. And on CNN, that message will be delivered with lots and lots of high-tech gimmicks.

 
  
 
 

Fox News Channel, 6:00 p.m. ET

One reason to check in on Fox News tonight is to watch the network news figure who, in this 2016 election, has been drawn into the fray, and the headlines, more than any other: Megyn Kelly.

 
  
 
 

BBC World News, 6:15 p.m. ET

I don’t know if it’s possible to fully separate the political from the equation, at least when it comes to coverage of presidential politics. Were I to look at all the cable news networks and sources, for example, and declare Fox News the best overall presenter of results and opinions, I might be branded as a conservative. Conversely, if I recommended MSNBC, I’d be more likely to be pegged as a liberal. I usually deflect such questions with the honest answer that my favorite source for TV news is the BBC World News, which tonight will provide U.S election coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. ET. Katty Kay and Andrew Neil host from New York – and theirs is a post-Brexit perspective well worth hearing, whatever the trends and outcome of the U.S. vote.

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 11:00 p.m. ET

When Jon Stewart was at the helm of The Daily Show, a live edition of this show would have been an unmissable highlight. This year, because of Noah’s unexpectedly tepid run to date as Stewart’s successor, this seems more like a third-party candidate viewing choice. I’ll be watching, or at least recording, to see how he and his team does on this most important of political-satire nights – but if he doesn’t do something really memorable, he’s not likely to be memorable, period, in this particular anchor desk.

 
  
 
 

Showtime, 11:00 p.m. ET

Stephen Colbert’s live show, on the other hand – competing directly against his old Daily Show haunt – absolutely is Must-See TV. It’s not only televised live, as was Colbert’s Late Show on CBS last night (and will be, again, tomorrow night) – but it’s unedited, and Colbert, in Showtime promos, has made it clear he intends to be much freer with his language, if not his comedy, than his broadcast network employers can allow. Hence, for starters, this special’s title…

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
PKRPO
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 192  | Go to page: 
3828 Comments
 
 
Thanks for such a valuable post. I am waiting for your next post, I have enjoyed a lot reading this post keep it up.Thank you so much for coming.Your energy and worldview never cease to inspire me, and I’m so happy we found the time to see my website.
May 3, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.
May 3, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Feedback
https://??????1.isweb.co.kr/
May 3, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I read your Article very carefully it is really very good
May 2, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very useful info. Hope to see more posts soon!.
May 2, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
fantastic points altogether, you just gained emblem reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any certain?
May 2, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
??? ??? ???? ? ?? ??? ???? ?? ? ?? ? ??? ?? ? ????. ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????.
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very good points you wrote here..Great stuff...I think you've made some truly interesting points.Keep up the good work.
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
??
?? ??? ???? ?? ? ??? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?????. ? ??? ??? ?? ?????
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Truly, this article is really one of the very best in the history of articles. I am a antique ’Article’ collector and I sometimes read some new articles if I find them interesting. And I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection. Very good work!
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You re in point of fact a just right webmaster. The website loading speed is amazing. It kind of feels that you're doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a fantastic activity on this subject!
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Amazing website sir. A great information given by you in this blog. It really informative and very helpful. Thank you.
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Great article and a nice way to promote online. I'm satisfied with the information that you provided
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
??? ??? ?? ??? ?????. ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ??????. ??? ??? ? ??????!
Apr 30, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commentators here
Apr 29, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really liked your article post. Really looking forward to read more. Great. Say, you got a nice article. Really thank you! Fantastic.I think the restaurant which you told me in the letter is very interesting. I also like to eat out and I usually go to a restaurant for dinner with my family twice a month., The food is delicious so we enjoy it very much. The service is also quick and friendly.
Apr 25, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Teaching English online has become a flexible, rewarding career path—and you don’t need a university degree to get started. By focusing on the right certifications, tools, and platforms, anyone with strong English skills can build a thriving online teaching business.
Apr 25, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice evening!
Apr 24, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 192  | 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.