1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Morgan Wallen (shown here) is a young (27) country singer on a roll; his last four singles have each hit No. 1 on on the country airplay charts. He was supposed to be music guest earlier this season – then blew it when social media showed him partying without a mask. Dropped from the show then, he gets a second chance now; Jason Bateman hosts. Read more…
(Here’s a quick update on my commentary on Carrie Underwood and the very best of Christmas TV. The Carrie part remains the same, but there are a few additions to the list at the bottom – an extra night for the classic “Grinch” … two cable showings of “Wonderful Life” … and a changed night for the Patrick Stewart “Christmas Carol.” Here’s the update.)
Carrie Underwood’s new Christmas special is the ultimate in sleek simplicity.
It has no gimmicks, no guests (except briefly). It has no distractions and – this is streaming – no commercials. It simply has a great voice, warmly caressing each song.
It also reminds us of something else: Even in this crowded, cluttered season, there are some TV moments that are really worth watching – or re-watching.
1) “American Masters: Keith Haring: Street Art Boy,” 9 p.m., PBS. Haring (shown here) grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch turf, forever chosen last for games. He was quick to leave his small town, move to New York and make a splash. Soon, his uncluttered artwork was on buildings, walls, floors … then in international galleries. In his 31 years (before being one of the first celebrities to die of AIDS), he made more than 10,000 artworks and became a pop-culture star. Here’s a fascinating story, richly illustrated. Read more…
There was a time when every pro football team had a home. And a name. And a quarterback (several actually). And a schedule, set in stone.
That was a dull-but-simple time, before the chaos of 2020. Now the changes keep coming.
There are games — some involving the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers (shown here) — at unexpected times – this Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 2) … early Monday evening (Dec. 7) … and Tuesday night (Dec. 8). For the second time, a Thursday-night game will be scrapped. And schedules have changed and unchanged for NBC, ABC and Fox.
Most, but not all, of this is COVID-related. The changes include: Read more…
1) “My Gift,” any time, HBO Max. Here’s the consummate Christmas special – no gimmicks, no distractions, no commercials, just a great singer. Carrie Underwood (shown here) has shown her religious passion with “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Something In the Water” (both included here), but she hadn’t done a Christmas album until this year. She soars in the classics (“O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” etc.) and links beautifully with John Legend on his “Hallelujah” and with her son, 5, on “Little Drummer Boy.” Read more…
1) “SEAL Team” season-opener, 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. This is a big week for CBS: Three more dramas arrive Friday, leaving only two fall shows (“Evil” and “Equalizer”) pemding. And “SEAL” starts with a two-parter, as the team heads into the mountains (shown here) to find a terrorist leader. Jason (David Boreanaz) is soon separated from the rest. The second hour includes treacherous tunnels that are booby-trapped. Read more…
1) “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (shown here), 8 p.m., CBS. This is widely regarded as a classic, a Christmas gem for 56 years. So my opinion – good song, so-so story that would have been much better at half this length – can safely be ignored. Have fun. Read more…
Many shows vanish in an eyeblink. Moments after fading from the screen, they fade from our minds.
Then there’s Netflix’s “The Crown” (shown here), which sticks around. Two weeks after the fourth season arrived (Nov. 15), the British press has been awash with commentaries. Even the New York Times – located 3,500 miles from Buckingham Palace – had several pieces about it, including Nov. 27 and 28. So let me jump in here, with a few comments:
From a sheer drama-craftsmanship view, this season is a resounding success. Even with some flaws – and there are big ones – it is brilliantly written, filmed and (mostly) played. Catch all 10 episodes.
And accuracy? That seems to be another matter. Read more…
1) “CMA Country Christmas,” 9-10 p.m. ABC. This is usually a festive two hours, in front of a cheery audience. But now it aims for the at-home feel of traditional holiday specials. Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren host; they’re shown here with Florida GeorgiaLine. Also performing are Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum and Dan + Shay, plus Darius Rucker with dynamic violinist Lindsey Stirling. Read more…
For months, show-business has been adjusting to a less-is-more approach.
At times, the result can be splendid. Kelli O’Hara showed that with gorgeous solos during PBS specials for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.
But now there’s a flip side – a reminder that more is more. Viewers will see her Christmas concert (shown here), taped a year ago with the Tabernacle Choir.
“It’s so moving to hear that sound,” she said. “It’s like an ocean wave washing over you.” Read more…
