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 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
STBON
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 255  | Go to page: 
5092 Comments
 
 
I haven’t any word to appreciate this post.....Really i am impressed from this post....the person who create this post it was a great human..thanks for shared this with us.
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Nice concept revealed your blog thanks for sharing is a best feature and latest.
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
It was very useful for me. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing such a information with us.
Oct 22, 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 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
thanks for the tips and information..i really appreciate it..
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog. Really looking forward to read more.
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I truly like you're composing style, incredible data, thankyou for posting.
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hi, I log on to your new stuff like every week. Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us.
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Great knowledge, do anyone mind merely reference back to it
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Pretty good post. I have just stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed reading your blog posts very much. I am looking for new posts to get more precious info. Big thanks for the useful info.
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is my first time visit to your blog and I am very interested in the articles that you serve. Provide enough knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing useful and don't forget, keep sharing useful info:
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am glad to be a visitor of this unadulterated web site, thanks for this rare info!
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
It is somewhat fantastic, and yet check out the advice at this treat.
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
fantastic points altogether, you just gained emblem reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any certain?
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
fantastic points altogether, you just gained emblem reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any certain?
Oct 22, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 255  | 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.