SATURDAY
AUGUST 5
2017

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

This is the last edition of Saturday night’s The Essentials series on TCM in which Alec Baldwin’s co-host is former 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey. Next week, William Friedkin takes over. But for now, Fey and Baldwin end their summer run by presenting a perfect movie musical: 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain, a joyous depiction of Hollywood during the transition from silent movies to the sound era. Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and a young ingénue named Debbie Reynolds star.

 
  
 
 

BBC America, 10:00 p.m. ET

We’re so close to the end of Orphan Black, and the stakes are so high for all the remaining characters, that you can almost count on at least one death per week from now on. Last week’s episode delivered on that promise, or that threat – and it wouldn’t surprise me if tonight’s does as well.

 
  
 
 

HBO, 10:00 p.m. ET

From the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., George Lopez presents his fourth standup comedy special for HBO. But this one is political, and it’s live – which, the way news is breaking these days, is the only way to deal with political humor these days. Current events, that’s one thing – but current events don’t begin to describe today’s pace of the daily news flow. It isn’t a current. It’s a tidal wave.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 10:00 p.m. ET

On The Essentials tonight, guest co-host Tina Fey admits to always having had a crush on Gene Kelly, star of Singin’ in the Rain. And Kelly’s on view in this movie that’s paired tonight with Rain, though it’s a very, very different type of film. Inherit the Wind, filmed eight years after Singin’ in the Rain, features Kelly in a dramatic role, a supporting but key player in this intense play inspired by the infamous Scopes “monkey trial.” Evolution, education and religion are argued before the bench, in a sweltering hot southern courtroom. Fredric March argues the conservative religious side, and Spencer Tracy argues in favor of science, and facts. You’re your own contemporary parallels – please. And the young teacher defended by Kelly and Tracy? He’s played by Dick York, TV’s original Darrin on Bewitched.

 
  
 
 
 
 
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 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
HGGGS
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 260  | Go to page: 
5191 Comments
 
 
Hi there to every one, the contents present at this web page are in fact amazing for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
Nov 1, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
??
Great post, and great website. Thanks for the information!
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this web page who has shared this wonderful paragraph at at this place
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I was taking a gander at some of your posts on this site and I consider this site is truly informational! Keep setting up.
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed...
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
great article that help other to know what is happaned now... Please visit my web too for more similar info..
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Superb article. Thanks to this blog my expedition has actually ended.
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Excellent information providing by your Article thank you for taking the time to share with us such a nice article.
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thats really a nice and worthy post, this Stiglitz topic is very interesting. Keep it up with the good work, thanks for sharing this article
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of this blog. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of this blog. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Nice to read your article! I am looking forward to sharing your adventures and experiences
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Awesome article, it was exceptionally helpful! I simply began in this and I'm becoming more acquainted with it better! keep doing awesome!
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is a great post. I like this topic.This site has lots of advantage.I found many interesting things from this site. It helps me in many ways.Thanks for posting this again
Oct 31, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 260  | 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.