MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 8
2014

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

CBS, 5:00 p.m. ET

A Monday afternoon men’s final at the U.S. Open is unusual enough – but the players vying for the title this year are even more so. It’s the first time in a long time, almost a decade, that the final is being played by someone outside of the men’s game’s so-called “Big Four” – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray. It’s the first time that the U.S. Open men’s final will be played by two double-digit seeds: No. 10 Kei Nishikori of Japan (pictured) and No. 14 Marin Cilic of Croatia – and it’s the first time ever for an Asian male player to reach a Grand Slam final.

 
  
 
 

ESPN, 7:00 p.m. ET

This week, more NFL evening games will be played in prime time, I believe, than at any time in TV history. There’s already been one game last night on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. And in three days CBS launches the official start of Thursday Night Football. Meanwhile, tonight, ESPN presents the flagship evening NFL game it inherited long ago from ABC, Monday Night Football, with a rare doubleheader event. At 7 p.m. ET, it’s the New York Giants vs. the Detroit Lions. Then, at 10:15 p.m. ET, it’s the San Diego Chargers vs. the Arizona Cardinals. That’s four night games over a five-night stretch, which I suspect is a record.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

Former firefighter Steve Buscemi, currently starring in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, interviews his old firehouse buddies, and others, in this fond salute to New York firemen, and firewomen. I’ve heard stories for years about how Buscemi, avoiding publicity and wanting only to help, rejoined his old Engine 55 company to show up at Ground Zero the day after 9/11. This documentary, directed by Liz Garbus, confirms that, and even includes eerie footage shot with Buscemi’s own video camera – footage showing, among other things, handwritten messages traced in the ash-white dust covering all surfaces in the surviving structures. The title A Good Job, it turns out, describes “a really tough fire” – and the details of the importance of the firehouse kitchen means that Denis Leary, in his FX series Rescue Me, got it right. But that was fiction. This new documentary, shown a few days before the anniversary of 9/11, is fact.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

The point of view in tonight’s new POV, titled The Genius of Marian, is an intimate look at a family sadly familiar with Alzheimer’s. Marian Williams Steele, the renowned artist, died from Alzheimer’s in 2001. Her daughter, Pam White, set to work on a book about her mother, tentatively titled The Genius of Marian, then was stricken by Alzheimer’s herself. Her son Banker White, one of Pam’s three children – portrayed, along with his mother, Pam, in the Marian Steele watercolor shown here – teamed with his wife, Anna Fitch, to produce this documentary. The goal: to examine how Alzheimer’s affects not only its victims, but the surrounding family members.  Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m. ET

Tonight’s guest: John Lithgow, whose new film is Love Is Strange, and who’s done double duty on the Broadway stage, having just played King Lear in Central Park, and preparing to play Tobias in A Delicate Balance, which begins previews next month. Colbert’s best guests are the ones who get, and can react to and keep up with, his sense of humor. That makes Lithgow an ideal guest, so stay tuned.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
WSSJI
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 140  | Go to page: 
2800 Comments
 
 
Thanks for sharing this. Home buying can feel stressful, but posts like this make the process easier to understand and plan for.
Oct 24, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I simply want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogs and really enjoyed you’re web page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You really have fantastic posts. Thank you for sharing.
Oct 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
When I read your article on this topic, the first thought seems profound and difficult. There is also a bulletin board for discussion of articles and photos similar to this topic on my site, but I would like to visit once when I have time to discuss this topic.
Oct 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Buying a home can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand the process and get pre-approved, things start falling into place. I really appreciate how this post breaks down the steps clearly, super helpful for buyers!
Oct 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey homie,

I think you just took a wrong turn on the Information Highway!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!

Seriously, please remove your post. And if you decide to post again, please make it about the greatest Art that Man has ever Created: TELEBISION!!!!!

Warmly,

Dave
Oct 17, 2025
 
 
 
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. I am writing on this topic, so I think it will help a lot. I leave my blog address below. Please visit once.!
Oct 15, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. I am writing on this topic, so I think it will help a lot. I leave my blog address below. Please visit once.!
Oct 15, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
You made such an interesting piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain knowledge. Thanks for sharing the such information with us to read this.
Oct 14, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Awesome blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Many thanks!
Oct 11, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
You made karaoke night the highlight of the evening, fantastic job!
Oct 11, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. We will always appreciate all you have done here because I know you are very concerned with quality content.
Oct 9, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Godrej Thanisandra in North Bangalore – a pre-launch residential project offering 2, 3 & 4 BHK luxury apartments across 20.33 acres. Enjoy premium amenities.
Oct 8, 2025   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey Godfrey - what-the-ever-loving-fuc%-are-you-even-fuc%ing-talking about??!
I think you took a wrong turn after hitting that meth pipe to end up here!!!

ROTFLMBFFAO!!!

Dave
Oct 8, 2025
 
 
 
I do accept as true with all the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for starters. May you please extend them a little from next time? Thank you for the post
Oct 7, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
We’re a small, passionate team based in Austin, Texas, whose love of the gaming hobby turned into a full-time mission
Oct 6, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Good site you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Oct 5, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Good site you have here.. It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Oct 4, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Call girls jodhpur
Tottaa is a leading name for high-class call girls Jodhpur and reliable escort service Jodhpur. Whether you need an elegant Jodhpur call girl or premium Jodhpur escort service, Tottaa provides unmatched quality. Meet professional Jodhpur call girls and enjoy private, secure, and unforgettable companionship tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Visit us:-https://in.tottaa.com/call-girls/rajasthan/jodhpur
Oct 1, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Call girls jodhpur
Tottaa is a leading name for high-class call girls Jodhpur and reliable escort service Jodhpur. Whether you need an elegant Jodhpur call girl or premium Jodhpur escort service, Tottaa provides unmatched quality. Meet professional Jodhpur call girls and enjoy private, secure, and unforgettable companionship tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Visit us:-https://in.tottaa.com/call-girls/rajasthan/jodhpur
Oct 1, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
jodhpur call girl
Tottaa is a leading name for high-class call girls Jodhpur and reliable escort service Jodhpur. Whether you need an elegant Jodhpur call girl or premium Jodhpur escort service, Tottaa provides unmatched quality. Meet professional Jodhpur call girls and enjoy private, secure, and unforgettable companionship tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Visit now:-https://in.tottaa.com/call-girls/rajasthan/jodhpur
Oct 1, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
You sing with so much heart, it makes karaoke extra special.
Oct 1, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
stitch
????? ??????? ??????????????? ???????????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? 100% ?????????????????? ??????????????????? 1 ??? ?????????? https://one-ink.com/
Sep 30, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 140  | 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.