SUNDAY
JUNE 9
2019

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 4:00 p.m. ET

This 1953 movie is worth watching at this moment in time for two chief reasons. One is to honor the recent passing of its star, Doris Day, in what for her is a playful change-of-pace role. The other is to compare this conception of the role of Calamity Jane with the infinitely more colorful and quotable one on display in HBO’s very recent Deadwood: The Movie, and in its previous series version, as played brilliantly in both instances by Robin Wiegert. (Who, by the way, will return to TV tonight in the Season 2 premiere of Big Little Lies.

 
  
 
 

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

SPECIAL: James Corden, who hosted the Tonys so winningly in 2016, returns to host this year’s show, which includes among its nominated crop such dramas as Aaron Sorkin’s reworking of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and such musicals as Hadestown. Expect a performance featuring the cast of that new musical production, as well as by live tastes of The Cher Show, Tootsie, Ain’t Too Proud, and revivals of Oklahoma! and Kiss Me, Kate. For a James Corden/Tonys retrospect, see our new contributor Mike Hughes', Open Mike.

 

 
  
 
 

NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET

The St. Louis Blues have been in the NHL for more than half a century – 52 years, to be exact – but tonight could win its first Stanley Cup in its long history. The Blues hold a 3-2 advantage over the Boston Bruins in this year’s Finals, and can claim victory with a win this evening in the best-of-seven series. But if the Bruins hold on and even the series, a winner-take-all Game 7 will be held Wednesday.

 
  
 
 

BBC America, 8:00 p.m. ET

Last week’s Season 5 premiere of Luther, in which Idris Elba returned as volatile police investigator John Luther, took the entire hour to bring him face to face with his former nemesis and object of fascination, Ruth Wilson’s Alice Morgan. But when the door was opened just before the credits rolled, and Alice was on the other side – very much alive, much to Luther’s surprise – it set things up for a juicy episode that should pick up in high gear from the very first frame.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON PREMIERE: David E. Kelley, creator of Ally McBeal and Boston Legal, made a dynamic return to television with this 2017 HBO drama, which featured dynamic and nuanced performances from Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, and Alexander Skarsgard. All but Skarsgard are back this year, and anyone who saw Season 1 of Big Little Lies knows why he’s absent. But joining the cast this season, playing the mother of Skarsgard’s character, is the biggest casting coup of all: Meryl Streep. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower.
 
  
 
 

Showtime, 9:00 p.m. ET

SEASON FINALE: Last week, it seemed there was a moment where Taylor and Axe might call a truce and put an end to their respective campaigns of revenge. But by the end of the episode, it seemed just as likely they were embarking on a war of mutually assured destruction. And tonight is the Season 4 finale, so this may be the episode where the fur flies and the dust settles. Or vice versa.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 11:00 p.m. ET

So what’s new, John Oliver? Will our favorite former Daily Show correspondent from Great Britain have anything to say, and any special perspective, on President Trump’s recently concluded state visit to England?

 
  
 
 
 
 
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)
 
XPHAP
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 147  | Go to page: 
2939 Comments
 
 
Dave Bianculli
I hate to tell ya pardner, but if you're on the same wavelength as "Good Old Dave" as I like to be called, you're one lost buckaroo!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA! ROTFLMBFFAO!!!!
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I’ve been meditating on the identical issue personally recently. Pleased to see another person on the same wavelength! Nice article
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very Interesting and wonderful information keep sharing this post
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Nice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Acknowledges for penmanship such a worthy column, I stumbled beside your blog besides predict a handful advise. I want your tone of manuscript…
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Acknowledges for penmanship such a worthy column, I stumbled beside your blog besides predict a handful advise. I want your tone of manuscript…
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. Thanks..
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I would like to thank for the effort you have made in writing this post and i am very impressed by your blog design and the your quality work Great job man keep it up.
Jan 15, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Jan 14, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pemerintah Indonesia, persetan dengan situs web ini, mereka menipu orang.
Jan 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Jan 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thank you for your post. I sincerely thank you for your post. If you are interested in purchasing our products, you can contact us through this website
Jan 13, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Para penipu yang memalukan memangsa orang-orang dengan klaim palsu dan kebohongan.
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
After reading your article I was amazed. I know that you explain it very well. And I hope that other readers will also experience how I feel after reading your article
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
Dave Bianculli
Thank you!!! Did you feel a little tingling sensation in your pants after reading my article?? ROTFLMBFFAO!!!

Sincerely,

Dave
Jan 12, 2026
 
 
 
After reading your article I was amazed. I know that you explain it very well. And I hope that other readers will also experience how I feel after reading your article
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
The information from the blog above is very good, thank you for the information, if you want to know more information, please visit our website
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Nice post. I learn some thing more difficult on various blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating you just read content using their company writers and use a little something from their site. I'd prefer to use some with all the content in my small weblog no matter whether you don't mind. Natually I'll provide you with a link on the internet weblog. Many thanks sharing
Jan 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 147  | 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.