SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 9
2019

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

PBS, HBO, 8:00 p.m. ET

Morgan Neville’s wonderful, inspirational and almost certainly tear-inducing documentary on Fred Rogers, the disarmingly honest and empathic host of PBS’s Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, comes to TV tonight after a heartwarmingly successful run in theaters. Its TV debut is significant, too, because of its inclusiveness: It premieres on the premium service HBO, which will continue to show it at other times this month, but for this first-night TV premiere, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is simulcast on the PBS series Independent Lens. Considering Rogers’ long and constant commitment to public television (he not only appeared on public TV before it became PBS, but almost single-handedly secured the funding to continue it), the documentary’s availability on public TV is symbolic as well as perfect. When you watch this program tonight – and you must – I predict its messages, of civility and inclusion and empathy – not only will make you think, but will make you weep. One word of warning, however: I’m in here somewhere, briefly, providing a TV historian’s perspective on the impact and importance of Fred Rogers. But watch it anyway, please. And record it, because you’ll want to see it more than once, all the way to the emotional closing credits. Beautifully done, Mr. Neville.
 
  
 
 

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

This is such an enjoyable new nature documentary series, in part because it’s such an inspired hybrid of the old and new. Its storytelling approach, singling out one family of creatures (tonight: painted wolves) and following them like a drama, goes all the way back to the early Walt Disney and Wild Kingdom nature shorts. Yet the technological tools it uses, capturing the sound and sight of these animals, day and night, over a period of years, provide breathtakingly modern new perspectives. And of course, there’s the host, Sir David Attenborough, the world’s best at presenting nature on television. And when I say “world’s best,” I really do mean that literally.

 
  
 
 

NBC, 11:29 p.m. ET

Tonight’s guest host, on this new installment, is Halsey. The musical guest also is Halsey, which means she’s pulling double duty – and following in the footsteps of such SNL host-and-musical-performers as Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Donald Glover, and the first-ever “I’ll-do-both” host/musician, Desi Arnaz. (Technically, the musical guest for that 1976 episode was his son, Desi Arnaz Jr., but the elder Arnaz returned to his bandleading roots to perform, among other songs, his classic “Babalu.”

 
  
 
 
 
 
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.