MONDAY
JANUARY 9
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

This is a warning, not a recommendation. The first installment in this show’s new iteration, which features former California governor and Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the new host, and retains former host Donald Trump in the credits as an executive producer, was televised last week. There were two big battles in last week’s bloated season premiere, and the men’s team, including Jon Lovitz and Boy George, won both of them. Now, with 11 days to go until Trump is inaugurated as President of the United States, The New Celebrity Apprentice presents its second installment  – and already has its critics, complaining of the show’s ratings and new host. Among those critics: Donald Trump, even though he’s still drawing a paycheck from this new version.
 
  
 
 

Smithsonian, 8:00 p.m. ET

This one-hour documentary was released a decade ago, and is somewhat superficial – but it contains enough behind-the-scenes footage, vintage interviews, and clips from the old NBC series The Monkees to explain how this fabricated music group, the Pre-Fab Four, not only copied the Beatles, but rivaled them. And, at one point in the 1960s, outsold them.

 
  
 
 

CNN, 9:00 p.m. ET

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo will moderate this political discussion featuring one of the former candidates for president in the 2016 election cycle. Televised live from George Washington University.

 
  
 
 

ABC, 10:01 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: We already have one TV game-show series based on a late-night TV segment: Spike TV’s Lip Sync Battle, which originated on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Now we have another, courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The ABC host has authorized and overseen this spinoff of his “Who Knows?” segments, in which celebrities are pitted against fans to see who knows more about that celebrity’s work, and other things. For this new ABC version, Conan TBS sidekick Andy Richter hosts – and the opening-night guest is Matthew McConaughey. Coming up in the next three episodes: Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, professional celebrity Kim Kardashian West, and Frozen and The Good Place co-star Kristen Bell.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 11:00 p.m. ET

This 1959 comedy classic, directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, is treasured by the American Film Institute and other institutions as one of the funniest comedy movies ever made. And it’s tough to argue against them, because of its trio of charming central performances. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon play musicians who go on the lam with an all-girl orchestra, masquerading as women to avoid the mobsters whom they saw murder some rival gangsters. Marilyn Monroe completes the central trio, playing singer and ukulele player Sugar Kane. Curtis dons yet another disguise to woo her, playing a wealthy but shy fussbudget, and patterns his vocal patterns after those of Cary Grant.
 
  
 
 
 
 
Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!
 
 
 
 
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3808 Comments
 
 
Para penipu kelas rendah melakukan apa yang paling mereka kuasai—berbohong, menipu, dan menghilang dengan uang orang lain.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Apr 23, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article is packed with insights! I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into making it so engaging. Well done!
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Such an amazing read! Your ability to explain things in a simple yet detailed way is truly impressive.
Apr 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Hey sweetie,

It's not that complicated! It's TV!!! Do what I do!!!!! Grab a six pack of Miller Lite, crack the first one open and drink it. Rinse and repeat!!!!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!!!

Just let the TV flow over you.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

Dave
Apr 21, 2026
 
 
 
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This was well explained since it stayed concise and clear. Thanks for sharing this insight.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu ini adalah pembohong profesional. Siapa pun yang mempercayai mereka hanya ikut memperkuat penipuan mereka.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan para penipu itu, tangkap mereka dan persetan dengan mereka karena telah menipu banyak orang.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia tangkap situs web sialan itu
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Practical stream
A thoughtful reflection on TV criticism’s evolution and legacy—blending nostalgia, personal memories, and appreciation for creators who shaped meaningful viewing experiences.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Manusia sampah sejati, memangsa orang-orang tak berdosa hanya untuk mengisi kantong mereka yang serakah. Sungguh memalukan.
Apr 21, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Situs web ini benar-benar penipuan, jangan percayai mereka.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Perilaku penipuan murni. Bajingan-bajingan ini tidak punya moral dan tidak ragu-ragu menipu orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Sialan para penipu ini karena telah mencuri uang dan kepercayaan orang lain.
Apr 20, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
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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.