FRIDAY

AUGUST 11

2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Netflix, 3:00 a.m. ET

SERIES PREMIERE: This new Netflix series stars Jennifer Jason Leigh as a mother fiercely determined to help her teen child, who’s autistic, navigate the world. Keir Gilchrist plays Sam, an 18-year-old on the higher end of the autism spectrum, and Michael Rapaport and Brigette Lundy-Paine play his father and sister, respectively. Tonally, Atypical is a comedy with sharp edges, closest on the TV comedy spectrum to ABC’s Speechless, which is about the supportive yet barely functional family of a nonverbal high school boy with cerebral palsy. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower.

THE VIEW

ABC, 11:00 a.m. ET

Today is the 20^th anniversary of this daytime ABC talk show. To mark the occasion, David Hinckley analyzes its history and legacy in a new All Along the Watchtower column. And ABC, to mark the same occasion, today is repeating the original, inaugural View installment from Aug. 11, 1997. Barbara Walters is there, along with Meredith Vieira, Joy Behar, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Star Jones.

SON OF SAM: THE KILLER SPEAKS

CBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

SPECIAL: In the mid-1970s, David Berkowitz terrorized New York City with a series of random shootings. He remains in prison – and on the 40^th anniversary of his capture, the self-described “Son of Sam” killer is interviewed by Maurice DuBois.

REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

Quite a lineup tonight: Bill Maher’s scheduled guests include Richard Dawkins, Jim Parsons, Jon Meacham, and Fareed Zakaria.

TOP HAT

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

Today is Ginger Rogers day on TCM – and included in the movies showcasing her is the ultimate movie musical pairing her with Fred Astaire, 1935’s Top Hat. It’s a black-and-white study in sheer opulence and grace and class, and not only when Rogers and Astaire are on the dance floor. Top Hat has some great Irving Berlin songs, including the title number and “Cheek to Cheek,” as well as some fairly sophisticated and sexy comedy, particularly for the era. And TV fans get a special brief treat: Watch for the unnamed flower shop clerk. She’s played by a young actress named Lucille Ball.

<< PREVIOUS | NEXT >>

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Email (required) (will not be published)


Type in the verification word shown on the image.

Page: 1 of 212 | Go to page:

4225 Comments

??? ????

Congratulations for posting such a useful blog. Your blog isn’t only informative but also extremely artistic to

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??? ????

You were quite interesting.. But sadly I didnrrrt trust them much :/ Although I might disagree I still give you support as how confident you are on your writing lo

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??????

?? ???? ????. ?? ?? ???? ?? ? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?????.

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??????

?? ???? ????. ?? ?? ???? ?? ? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?????.

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??????

?? ??? ???! ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ? ????? ?? ??? ??? ????!

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

?????

??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?? ? ?? ????. ???? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ? ????.

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??????

?????. GOOGLE? ???? ???? ?????. ??? ?? ? ??? ?????. ?? ??? ????? ??? ??? ??? ? ?? ?? ??? ????. ??? ??? ?????. ? ?? ???.

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??????

"??? ??? ?????. ?? ??? ??? ? ??? ??? ??? ???? ? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ? ?? ??? ?????. ??? ???.

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??????

"?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ???????.

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

??? ??? ??

??? ???? ?? ?????. ?? ?????? ?? ?? ????. ?? ??? ??? ?????. ?? ??? ?????!

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

lsm99 login

I love the design of your blog. What platform or theme are you using?

Jul 16, 2026 | Reply

SEO Store Tele

I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post

Jul 15, 2026 | Reply

?????

Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer!..

Jul 14, 2026 | Reply

https://simitporplacca.com

I really enjoyed reading this article. The information is well explained, easy to understand, and provides practical value for readers. I appreciate the time and effort that went into creating such quality content, and I look forward to reading more posts like this in the future. ????? I also recommend visiting https://simitporplacca.com/SIMIT Colombia for helpful guides and useful information. Thanks for sharing this excellent article!

Jul 14, 2026 | Reply

arjun

Jul 14, 2026 | Reply

????

I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

Jul 13, 2026 | Reply

????

I Was Eagerly Looking For Content Like This, Right To The Point And Detailed As Well Accordingly Depending Upon The Matter/Topic. You Have Managed This Greatly For Sure

Jul 13, 2026 | Reply

???

Uncommon tips and clear. This will be to a great degree supportive for me when I get a chance to start my blog

Jul 13, 2026 | Reply

????? ??? ??

i really like this article please keep it up

Jul 13, 2026 | Reply

????

Stunning! Such an astonishing and accommodating post this is. I super love it. It's so great thus amazing. I am simply stunned. I trust that you keep on doing your work like this later on moreover

Jul 13, 2026 | Reply

Page: 1 of 212 | 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.

New From TVWW

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Netflix, 3:00 a.m. ET

ABC, 11:00 a.m. ET

CBS, 10:00 p.m. ET

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

David Bianculli

PBS' 'Frontline’ Examines Pension Promises and — Spoiler Alert — Finds the Math Doesn’t Add Up

The Decadence of ‘Versailles’ Comes to Ovation

Prescribing Mamie Gummer in 'Emily Owens, M.D.'

Looking for a Free Ride? HBO Can Deliver

'Pass the Biscuits' Part of the Hatfield-McCoy Pop-Culture Legacy