If you know the Soviet performance protest artists Pussy Riot only as a late-night punch line, or a musical act endorsed by Madonna, this 90-minute documentary will be very, very educational. Without narration, but with lots of behind-the-scenes and news footage, it shows the genesis of Pussy Riot as an all-female, anti-Vladimir Putin “feminist punk group,” dedicated to shaking things up and protesting the Soviet intermingling of church and state. The Pussy Riot story isn’t sim

2013

Jun

THE DOCTOR By David Bianculli

The NBA TV network presents this new documentary about Julius Erving, which means a largely positive slant and an avoidance of unflattering detours. But it also means an abundance of exciting footage, in this case including when Erving first drew attention as a high-schooler playing at New York’s Rucker Park. That was long before he became a legend as “Dr. J,” winning a title and performing amazing acrobatic feats for the Philadelphia 76ers – but even then, he had e

2013

Jun

MAJOR CRIMES By David Bianculli

SEASON PREMIERE: For its second season, this Closer spinoff introduces a new character, supposedly a source of new tension for Mary McDonnell’s Captain Raydor: a deputy district attorney played by Nadine Velazquez (left), minus the exaggerated accent she employed on My Name Is Earl. But without Kyra Sedgwick, this group has lost much of its flair, with only G.W. Bailey’s Provenza being as much fun to watch as before.

2013

Jun

THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART By David Bianculli

Beginning today, and continuing until September, this series is swapping one Jon for another. While host Jon Stewart takes the summer off to direct his first movie, “senior British correspondent” John Oliver takes over as guest host. I expect he’ll do fine: Oliver is the funniest member of Stewart’s current team. And he starts with a strong guest: Seth Rogen.

2013

Jun

'RED WEDDING' REACTIONS ARE WORTH WATCHING By Al Mannarino

Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin is not one to shy away from torturing his characters, but his fans?...

2013

Jun

THE 67TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS By David Bianculli

Not since Bob Hope hosted the Oscars a total of 18 times has any performer owned, and been associated with, an awards show the way Neil Patrick Harris has come to be linked with this lively celebration of all things theatrical. This is his fourth time as host here (the third in a row), and this is where the black-tie audience members know, and appreciate, just how hard he works to pull off his opening and closing numbers. And speaking of numbers: Tonight’s festivities promise to present pe

2013

Jun

NBA FINALS: MIAMI HEAT VS. SAN ANTONIO SPURS By David Bianculli

Miami hosts the first two games of this series, giving the Heat an emotional edge – but that didn’t help in Game 1, which the San Antonio Spurs won by keeping its turnovers to an impressive minimum (only four in the entire game). The Spurs won on Thursday, 92-88, but expect LeBron James and teammates to come out much more aggressively, and effectively, for Game 2. They’d better, before the series moves to Texas for Game 3.

2013

Jun

GAME OF THRONES By David Bianculli

SEASON FINALE: Last week’s episode, “Red Wedding,” delivered so many shockers so quickly that even watching fans watch the episode is entertaining. (For proof, see this Video Worth Watching from our newest TVWW contributor, Al Mannarino.) And tonight's expanded episode is the season finale, with the immediate aftermath of all that bloodshed and betrayal.

2013

Jun

MAD MEN By David Bianculli

Last week Roger and Don followed the advice to “Go West, young man,” but found out, when they got to Hollywood, they no longer were the young men in town. Attending a Hollywood party, the libation of choice was delivered not in a martini glass, but in a hookah. Just another acknowledgment that this year’s story line is about Don, and his generation, losing power as well as direction and focus. And, on this series, the volatile year of 1968 isn’t over yet…

2013

Jun

VEEP By David Bianculli

It’s such a busy night, this sitcom normally wouldn’t make the cut. Other worthwhile TV events tonight, in addition to the others listed in today’s Bianculli’s Best Bets, include new episodes of AMC’s The Killing and HBO’s Family Tree, an Oprah’s Master Class with Susan Sarandon on OWN, the ambitious if not entirely successful season premiere of TNT’s Falling Skies, and an absurdly impressive trio of 1970s films on Sundance Channel, starting at 6 p

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