TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 9
2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET

Perhaps coincidentally, on the heels of a Super Bowl, this week’s new episode features a plot in which Miss Piggy has a wardrobe malfunction. More notable, perhaps, and a lot easier to look forward to, is the week’s guest star: Joan Jett.

 
  
 
 

Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

With Zooey Deschanel on maternity leave, and her lead character Jess still on “jury duty,” New Girl needs a new New Girl. And it has one, beginning tonight. Playing a friend of Cece’s who moves in temporarily is Megan Fox.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM’s prime-time schedule tonight presents two stunningly photographed and imaginatively framed and sculpted movies from the 1970s. First up: 1972’s Cabaret, Bob Fosse’s tour de force of choreography and film direction, which handed Liza Minnelli the role of a lifetime. Which she, in turn, devoured. Joel Grey, as the emcee, is fabulous as well – though on Broadway in two revivals, Alan Cumming has been spectacular enough to claim ownership of the role. No one’s really done that, before or since, with Minnelli’s interpretation of Sally Bowles.

 
  
 
 

ABC, 9:00 p.m. ET

This season’s episodes of Marvel’s Agent Carter, since this period spy show’s relocation from New York to California, have been sunnier and stranger, and not just because of the location. And tonight’s outing is potentially explosive – because it’s about the threat of an atomic explosion leveling California. To stop this threat, Agent Carter has to go undercover – this time as a shapely secretary.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Two headline-grabbing real-life crimes are examined tonight in prime time. One is this American Experience documentary, recalling the infamous 1924 case in which two University of Chicago students, Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, killed someone just for the thrill of committing the “perfect crime.” (Spoiler Alert: Had they succeeded, this documentary wouldn’t exist.) Check local listings. For the full story, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower. 

 
  
 
 

FX, 10:00 p.m. ET

Episode 2. …And this is the other true-crime case, Episode 2 of a 10-part dramatization of the O.J. Simpson trial. This episode sets out to recreate the “low-speed chase” that captivated America, captured by local TV stations’ traffic helicopters as Simpson was driven by a friend across the freeway at very low speeds, a gaggle of police cars right, but respectably, behind. This recreation does reflect the absurdity of it all, particularly with some details that were withheld from the public at the time – like the smiley face with which the temporary fugitive signed his apparent suicide note.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 10:15 p.m. ET

One of Stanley Kubrick’s many masterpieces, this 1975 film is positively gorgeous. Ryan O’Neal gives a performance that’s so restrained, yet so appropriate, and no period film has ever used natural lighting to such perfect effect.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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.