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TUESDAY
JULY 10
2012

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL-STAR GAME

Fox, 7:30 p.m. ET

The midway point of the pro baseball season arrives tonight, with a few elements that make it seem like a contest from long ago. For one thing, the National League is defending a winning streak. And for another, one of the pitchers on the roster tonight is a knuckleballer – but New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey won’t be starting for the NL, because of fears that catchers may have problms fielding his knuckleballs.

 
  
 
 
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE

Encore, 8:00 p.m. ET

This isn’t a good James Bond movie, but it is a rarely televised one. Released in 1969, it’s the one and only film in which the role of 007 went to George Lazenby – and the only one in which Bond gets married, with his bride played by the always unforgettable Diana Rigg. In fact, Rigg has a connection to an earlier Bond girl, Honor Blackman, who played Pussy Galore in Goldfinger. In the early Sixties, Blackman starred opposite Patrick Macnee in The Avengers – before the series was imported to the U.S., with John Steed (Macnee) teamed with a new partner, Rigg’s Emma Peel. Oh, and playing the villain in this film? Telly Savalas.

 
  
 
 
THE PETRIFIED FOREST

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

Bette Davis stars in this 1936 drama, playing a waitress at a small-town diner who finds herself waiting on some unusually complicated and volatile customers. One, played by Leslie Howard, is suicidal. Another, played by Humphrey Bogart, is homicidal – and ends up taking the diner exployees and patrons hostage. A solid drama, with some very intense performances and, for Bogart, a chance to play the bad guy.

 
  
 
 
PARENTHOOD

TV Guide Network, 8:00 p.m. ET

The current NBC series is a very good version of this 1989 movie, but this original film, directed by Ron Howard, has plenty of charm to spare of its own. Steve Martin stars as a concerned father who agonizes a bit too much – but in ways that are both humorously and uncomfortably empathic. The cast is as deep as it is strong, and so is the script. Co-stars include Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Keanu Reeves, Jason Robards and Rick Moranis.

 
  
 
 
NY MED

ABC, 10:00 p.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: Here it is, the first fresh offering from a commercial broadcast network that’s worth watching this summer. From executive producer Terence Wrong, it’s his latest documentary fly-on-the-wall look at hospital staffers and patients, this time in some well-chosen, well-staffed New York hospitals. Wrong may be slipping (I didn’t shed tears, this time, until episode two), but I don’t think so. Once again, it’s a summer series that plays to, rather than insults, our intelligence –and how rare is that? For a full review, see Eric Gould’s Cold Light Reader column HERE.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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251 Comments
 
 
Mac
Fridays in May have been really interesting on TCM.Rather than concntrate on things essential,host Illeana Douglas has been finding films that fell between the cracks,yet deserve a second look.Not quite Underground,these films are pretty much mainstream,which is part of the charm as to how they got made and never found an audience.Anytime TCM spools "Ace In The Hole",Billy Wilder's lost classic,is a night to rejoice.Ace is only available on a pricy,but worthwhile,Criterion set.
May 17, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Jay Kogen
David,
My name is Jay Kogen. I'm an Emmy Award winning writer/producer from The Simpsons and Frasier. I'm making a new show called "Wendell & Vinnie" which I'm trying to make a smart show for adults that kids can watch too. I'm trying to break the mold at Nickelodeon and I've been trying to get you to review my show. Good or bad, let's get it out there. This week's episode "Pick Ups & Drop Offs" is a typical one. It's got parent/child issues at the center and many adult jokes spread around. I wrote to you months ago and got no reply. I hear you on Fresh Air and even though I don't know that you'll love my show, I want to hear your opinion. Anyway, cheers and thanks. Jay.
May 17, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Dennis Paul
Thing I find funny about the Office is that it took 10 years to get a documentary made. They should have just made a reality show and it would have been on all this time and then a documentary about making the reality show. I just gave myself a headache.
May 16, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Maggie in NJ
Thanks for saying something nice about "Nashville". "Nashville" and "Vegas" were my must-watch shows of this season.
May 15, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Brian Becker
Yesterday I was watching an episode of Crackle's "Chosen" on Roku. Today the entire series is gone, vanished. Even a search on their site momentarily provides results and then shows no results. It's a mystery almost befitting the show itself. Any idea why? Thanks.
May 13, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Re: Doctor Who on May 11, 2013 on BBC America. Tonight's episode is NOT the season finale of Doctor Who - that's on May 18, 2013 with the episode of 'The Name of the Doctor.'
May 11, 2013   |  Reply
 
David Bianculli
Dear Kelly: You're right, and I'm wrong. Sorry -- and thanks for pointing it out so politely.
May 12, 2013
 
 
 
Bill Evans
Hey, David B., I used to work with you at the Gainesville Sun back when we were at the 'historic' downtown site. Love your work! I remember your start with the Sun's primitive TV Week. FYI, I'm at the Gainesville CBS-TV affiliate. Drop me a line....
May 10, 2013   |  Reply
 
David Bianculli
Bill -- What a hoot! Glad to hear you're still in Gainesville. I'll have someone to visit if the university ever brings me back. Have your people call my people. (I don't have people, but it sounds good.)
May 12, 2013
 
 
 
Justin
NHL Playoffs > NBA Playoffs
May 8, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
sandra spring
Thanks to you I hung in with Orphan Black. Original and riveting!!
May 4, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
jan
While I have not yet seen "The Gold Diggers of 1933," I have seen both the musical numbers you mentioned. You're right: "Remember My Forgotten Man" is unforgettable, and the other is just a lot of fun. In fact, after seeing "Remember My Fogotten Man," I immediately purchased the DVD of the movie just to have it. Maybe soon I will actually have the time to watch the whole film (after this semester is over).
May 4, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Neil
This is on the trivial side, but the former Mets knuckleballer is "R. A. Dickey" (not "R. J.").
May 1, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Elise
The final (of four) season of "The Big C" starts tonight, with Laura Linney and Oliver Platt. I came to this party late but imbibed the first three seasons like a drunken sailor on furlow. This series has made me laugh out loud and sob uncontrollably and really ask myself the question "What WOULD I do if...." I think this show has so much humor and fun (without making fun of!) concerning the circumstances with which this woman and her family is faced and still addresses the gravitas with grace and wisdom. I absolutely love this show and will be rapt (with laughter and tears) until the bitter and inevitable end. If viewers are up to handling the tough subject matter, this show is well worth the time spent watching it.
Apr 29, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Eileen
The Killing Fields. Simply one of the best. I defy anyone to watch the final clip of Sam Waterson & Haing Ngor embrancing, with John Lennon's "Imagine" playing in the background, and not cry. Brutal tale of war, but a true "love story" for the ages. Amazing. Should be required viewing. R.I.P. Haing Ngor and Spalding Gray; you'll forever be remembered for this masterpiece.
Apr 23, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Rini
I would like to recommend Spartacus. It is the series finale tonight. There is going to be some tears shed.
Apr 12, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Peggy
David, is there any news on the Dangerously Funny front. I really want to see that as a movie!
Apr 11, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Janet Troughton
Why oh why is Southland not on network tv and why oh why did they take it off. Thank god it continues somewhere.
Apr 10, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
SharonGS
Your NCAA description is a bit confused. Did you forget to delete something from last week's description?
Apr 6, 2013   |  Reply
 
David Bianculli
Yes, I did. And, thanks to you, I fixed it. I appreciate it.
Apr 6, 2013
 
 
 
Eileen
I'm looking forward to a tribute to Roger Ebert. His illustrious tv career began on PBS-Chicago in 1982 and continued, through various outlets, until 2010. He (& Gene Siskel) were definitely "must see" tv each week, and there has never been an equivalent of their wit & humor on any tv channel. Their pre-Oscar "If I Picked the Winners" was just that: a winner. Roger, you will be sorely missed. R.I.P.
Apr 5, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
Erin
And here I thought I could use Big Bang as escapism; dossier for tenure goes out to external reviewers in 26 days. (And I bet Leonard will find out if he gets tenure by the end of the episode, not in a year.)
Apr 4, 2013   |  Reply
 
David Bianculli
Dear Erin: Good luck to you. I'm going through the same seventh circle of hell right now. When it's all over, we should meet for a drink, to celebrate or sympathize. Even a virtual one.
Apr 6, 2013
 
 
 
David Marlow
If you can slog through the first unbearable 50 minutes of Smash, there's usually a decent song at the end that not even Bernadette Peters can ruin. Doesn't hurt that Megan Hilty is perfect.
Apr 2, 2013   |  Reply
 
 
 
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David Bianculli

Founder / Editor

Behind David in the picture is the first TV owned by his father, Virgil Bianculli, a 1946 Raytheon. (The TV, not his father. His father was a 1923 Italian.) 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 also teaches TV and film history at New Jersey's Rowan University, and his most recent book, 2009's Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, has recently been purchased for film rights.  He's currently at work on another.
 
 
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