THURSDAY

MARCH 9

2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

The living arrangements continue to change like musical chairs on this long-running series – as Raj, whose financial security blanket (courtesy of his father) has been yanked away, saves money by moving into Sheldon’s old room. Meanwhile, Leonard gets another visit from his mom, played so brilliantly by recurring guest star Christine Baranski. And that means tonight’s Big Bang Theory is a place on CBS where Baranski can be seen for free – unlike her new Good Wife spinoff, The Good Fight, which is now streaming exclusively on CBS’s pay streaming site, CBS All Access.

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1966 drama is being presented tonight as part of TCM’s month-long salute to Richard Burton – but there are two other compelling reasons to watch this 51-year-old movie all over again (or, certainly, for the first time). One is for the ferocious, take-no-prisoners performance by Elizabeth Taylor. The other is for a young stage director, and former comic, making his feature film debut as a director: Mike Nichols. The very next film he made, the next year, was a little movie called The Graduate.

RIVERDALE

CW, 9:00 p.m. ET

This week’s story has Betty’s sister, Polly, on the loose, and Jughead in danger of being locked up. Just another week in Riverdale, which continues to be as odd a town as Riverdale is a series…

THE HISTORY OF COMEDY

CNN, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tonight’s installment in this CNN documentary series is called “Ripped from the Headlines.” I haven’t previewed it, but it’s safe to presume it will start, or at least feature a segment on, Mort Sahl, the comedian who began performing standup comedy in the early 1950s, walking onstage with a newspaper and referring to current events covered in that day’s edition. Sahl, 89, still performs his act – and many comics since his debut have borrowed his.

MAN SEEKING WOMAN

FXX, 10:30 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: At this point, tonight’s episode could serve not only as the season finale for Man Seeking Woman, but the series finale. All season long, this series has broken its own established rules by devoting the entire year to a running story line in which Josh commits to one woman, Lucy, and pursues an ever-deepening courtship. Tonight’s episode involves “The Wedding,” and if the ceremony goes through to its conclusion successfully, then arguably, there is no more series, because it then becomes Man Found Woman. But in a way, that would be a sad happy ending, because Man Seeking Woman has been inspired and delightful all season long. I hope it’ll be back for another year – even if that means that Lucy, played so charmingly by Katie Findlay, won’t be. Either way, based on her work here, she’ll be seen somewhere else very soon, and very prominently.

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3685 Comments

Gerda Lundgren

Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Hialeah Auto Glass Repair (https://autoglassrepairhialeah.com/) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Dave Bianculli

Golly Gerda, you make me blush with your kind words, but maybe instead of giving me praise, how about giving me a discount on your service bills!!!! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Dave

Mar 22, 2026

Rut Holmgren

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Birger Samuelsson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Inga Henriksen

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Harald Almgren

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Sigrun Lindholm

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Karl Forsberg

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Solveig Johanson

Excellent as always! The shop guys at Lincoln Mobile Mechanic put your site on the break room TV. Find them at https://lincolnmobilemechanic.com - they do solid work. Best Bets is a daily read for all of us.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Arvid Berggren

Long-time TVWW devotee here. I manage a commercial vehicle operation and Colorado Springs Mobile Mechanic (https://coloradospringcosmobilemechanic.com) keeps our fleet going. Bianculli's picks keep us sane during maintenance delays - essential reading!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Frida Sundberg

Fantastic recommendations as always. I coordinate deliveries for a regional freight operation and Citrus Heights Towing Company (http://www.towingcitrusheights.com/) handles our repairs. Your site handles our TV choices. Both indispensable!

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Viggo Lundqvist

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Tyra Stromberg

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Olle Lindgren

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Einar Magnusson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Vilhelm Lindqvist

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Oskar Mattsson

Smart TV writing for smart viewers - that's TVWW in a nutshell. I manage a motor pool and Auburn Concrete Company at https://auburnconcreteco.com is our go-to service provider. David Bianculli's enthusiasm is contagious.

Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

Astrid Svensson

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Mar 21, 2026 | Reply

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TVWW is the gold standard for TV commentary. My fleet uses Aurora Auto Glass Repair at https://auroraautoglassrepair.net/ - they're as reliable as Bianculli's picks. Thanks for keeping TV criticism alive!

Mar 21, 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.

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BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

CW, 9:00 p.m. ET

CNN, 9:00 p.m. ET

FXX, 10:30 p.m. ET

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