Innholdsfortegnelse for December 18, 2023 i TV Guide Magazine

The Bold and the Beautiful CBS, check local listings Continuing a tradition that began almost 20 years ago, Big Brother Season 25’s Matt Klotz and Cirie Fields (below) are the latest houseguests from the reality show cast on B&B. Matt and “Mama C” don’t share any scenes on the soap, though: Four-time Survivor castaway Fields plays Dr. Martin, a physician consulted by Dr. John “Finn” Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) and Dr. Bridget Forrester (Ashley Jones); Klotz portrays James from the fashion house Forrester Creations, who works with RJ (Joshua Hoffman) and Luna (Lisa Yamada). Daytime Pick Survivor SEASON FINALE 8/7c, CBS A sole Survivor (and instant millionaire) is named, and we can’t wait to see who gets bossy Bruce’s jury vote. PASSPORT TO MAYHEM The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip 9/8c,…

CLASSIC TV CHRISTMAS! Retro Picks It’s Christmas! Unwrap presents, eat too much and collect your loved ones to settle in with some old friends. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE “Christmas at Plum Creek” (11am/10c, Cozi TV) In a tears-guaranteed 1974 hour that echoes “The Gift of the Magi,” the Ingalls family scrimp, trade and take on extra work to get presents for one another. And little Carrie uses her Christmas penny to buy something special for the baby Jesus! BEWITCHED “Santa Comes to Visit and Stays and Stays” (noon/11am c, FETV) Achoo! A sneeze from bumbling Esmeralda (Alice Ghostley) accidentally summons Santa (Ronald Long) to the Stephens household in this 1969 lark. Because Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) can’t reverse another witch’s spell, she hatches an alternate escape plan. Hint: It involves reindeer.…

Finding Your Roots SEASON PREMIERE 8/7c, PBS (check local listings at pbs.org) The surprise-a-minute celeb genealogy show has a big one: Three everyday people, chosen in a nationwide casting call, get to learn about their ancestors from Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. But Alanis Morissette and Ciara are up first. WATCH AFTER CELEB NAME THAT TUNE The Floor SERIES PREMIERE 9/8c, Fox Rob Lowe hosts this brand-new game show, in which 81 contestants test their trivia prowess—for $250,000. What’s with the title? It’s a giant LED floor divided into squares that represent individual fields of knowledge. Only Murders in the Building 9/8c, ABC If you don’t have Hulu, here’s your chance to see the critically acclaimed comedy starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez as true crime–obsessed Upper West…

STAYIN’ ALIVE A Jeer to the John Travolta Capital One commercial? [November 27, “Cheers & Jeers”] Really! What is wrong with you? It’s fantastic! That they included Donna Pescow in it was an added bonus. —Dottie Jeers to you! It should have been a Cheer! I loved that commercial—how could you not laugh out loud? It was one of the best ads since the Budweiser Clydesdales. —Donna HOLY PRAISE Reading more positive comments about The Chosen [November 27, “First Look”]makes this avid viewer very happy and brings an overwhelming measure of comfort! The fact that the show “has garnered acclaim” gives me hope for this “God-less” world.—Dolores MISSED OPPORTUNITY How could you leave out Married…With Children’s “It’s a Bundyful Life Parts 1 and 2” from your list of classic holiday…

DICK WOLF’S FRANCHISES stand out for surviving years—and sometimes decades—after the loss of beloved actors like Law & Order’s Jerry Orbach and SVU’s Christopher Meloni. The coming and goings continue when these shows return in January (the Chicago and Law & Order franchises) and February (the FBIs), and while some departures are big enough to shake things up (check out our upcoming 2024 Preview issue for more), some others may be less significant—but interesting enough to miss. Adieu, Organized Crime’s enigmatic Det. Jamie Whelan as played by Brent Antonello! —Ileane Rudolph LAW & ORDER Anthony Anderson left his role of Det. Kevin Bernard on NBC’s Law & Order revival after one season, and now, Jeffrey Donovan has departed after two. In? New detective Reid Scott (below, Veep, The Marvelous Mrs.…

Richard Belzer, 78 August 4, 1944–February 19, 2023 Starting his career in stand-up comedy, Belzer made his way to the character of Det. John Munch in 1993 by starring in NBC’s Baltimore-set procedural Homicide: Life on the Street. After seven seasons, he took Munch to New York City for Law & Order: SVU, where he spent 15 seasons becoming beloved by fans as the detective with a hidden heart. Andrea Evans, 66 June 18, 1957–July 9, 2023 A fixture in the soap opera world, Evans became well-known for playing troubled teenager Tina Lord on One Life to Live from 1979 to 1981 and again from 1985 to 1990 (the role earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination). She starred as Patty Williams on The Young and the Restless (1983–84), Tawny Moore…

Why the Heck Did I Buy This House? SEASON PREMIERE 9/8c, HGTV We’ve all bemoaned spending money on a “must-have” that turned out to be “meh,” but for homeowners, that sort of buyers’ remorse comes at a hefty—and sometimes lifelong—cost. Thankfully, San Antonio residents regretting their hasty major purchases have Kim Wolfe in their corner. The Survivor alum and renovation-minded designer (above) is back for Season 2 of her hit show to help families salvage their sad properties, whether the problem is a seriously outdated style, a snoozy master suite or, in the case of tonight’s season opener, a floor plan that left our jaws on the floor. Seriously, a fridge down the hall from the kitchen? Why the heck, indeed! Superchef Grudge Match SEASON PREMIERE 9/8c, Food Network Where’s…

Craft in America 10/9c, PBS (check local listings at pbs.org) Get out your magnifying glass and prepare to be amazed. The Peabody Award–winning series shines a light on artists from Cuba and Mexico to Uzbekistan and the United States who specialize in miniature crafts. “People have always been fascinated with [these] objects,” says Oregon’s Mark Murphy, who creates teensy wood reproductions of antique furniture. “Just about everything made in full size is made in miniature by someone somewhere in the world.” The episode also visits Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market, where many global fine arts traditions come together in one place, and stays in New Mexico to highlight the late Gustave Baumann’s enchanting century-old marionettes (above: Paint the horse and Pecos Bill). Created for his daughter, the intricate puppets…

Columbia Pictures’ 100th Anniversary 8/7c, TCM Movie Picks A monthlong celebration of the Hollywood studio runs every Wednesday, starting appropriately with the classic 1934 rom-com It Happened One Night, Columbia’s first Best Picture winner. EXAMINING THE PIPES I Can See Your Voice SEASON PREMIERE 8/7c, Fox Host Ken Jeong is again joined by Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton as they and a rotating panel of famous faces help a contestant figure out whether visiting vocalists are good or bad—without hearing them sing a single note. We Are Family SERIES PREMIERE 9/8c, Fox Non-famous relatives of celebrities sing in the spotlight while their well-known family member is hidden away. Who is it? Will a duet offer clues? Jamie Foxx exec produces this new musical guessing game hosted by black-ish’s Anthony Anderson…

The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard SERIES PREMIERE 8/7c, Lifetime “I want to talk about it now because I want to be free of all the disturbing secrets.” So states confessed killer Gypsy Rose Blanchard (left) in this gripping three-part docuseries, which digs deep into a child’s nightmare that played out in national headlines. Interviewed before her parole hearing last fall, Gypsy recounts the 2015 slaying of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who subjected her to years of physical and mental abuse for sympathy and financial gain. Known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, Dee Dee’s mental illness led her to tell people Gypsy had cancer and muscular dystrophy. Dee Dee forced her daughter to use a wheelchair, shaved her head, overmedicated her and put her through several needless surgeries.…

@TVGMMattRoush 1 The Bear When performing an impossible task like distilling the best shows of the year to a mere 10—or in this case, fudging it to 12—I tend to lean into those that simply brought me the most pleasure and that I couldn’t wait to share with others. Top of that menu is Season 2 of the FX-produced The Bear, an emotionally lacerating dramedy about an embattled family restaurant in Chicago. This year, the theme was renovation and renewal—not just of the eatery into a fine-dining establishment, but of the staff, including celebrity chef Carmy “The Bear” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, right), his sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and their loyal but fractious coworkers. They all went on a journey of self-discovery, finding new purpose in their calling to…

GENERAL HOSPITAL Weekdays, ABC Nina Reeves Corinthos (Cynthia Watros, left) may get a lump of coal in her stocking this season—if her secret about asking Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight) to turn Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) in to the SEC is revealed. And according to co–head writers Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, this skeleton is set to come out of the closet. Nina’s actions “have been kept secret by Michael [Chad Duell] and the Quartermaines, but when this secret falls into the lap of another party, all bets are off,” previews O’Connor. “This secret could destroy Sonny [Maurice Benard] and Nina, and reignite her war with Carly and Drew [Cameron Mathison].” Port Charles won’t be all tension and angst this festive season, though. “You’re going to see all the…

Newly Available American Symphony ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY High and low notes hit Grammy-winning former Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste as he works to finish composing a challenging classical opus while dealing with a suddenly recurring illness his partner, author Suleika Jaouad, experiences. Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool ORIGINAL STAND-UP As funny as a heart attack? No, funnier! The latest hour-plus special from the master of mortality jokes somehow brings hilarity to a load of health issues—including a long battle with diabetes. Newly Available Coach Prime ORIGINAL DOCUSERIES Always flashy pro football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders made major turf news when he signed to coach the previously 1–11 Colorado Buffaloes for the 2023 NCAA season. If anyone could turn a sorry college team into a storied one, Neon…

The Voice SEASON FINALE 8/7c and 9/8c, NBC With special performances and memorable coach-finalist duets, the grand finale of the vocal competition—featuring Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend and Gwen Stefani (below)—reveals who viewers have crowned the Season 24 winner. Christmas Wars SEASON PREMIERE 9/8c, 9:30/8:30c, 10/9c and 10:30/9:30c, A&E From icy wipeouts and gargantuan gift fails to unexpected acts of kindness caught on video, a new run of this funny home videos series delivers more footage of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. The Great Christmas Light Fight SEASON FINALE 9/8c and 10/9c, ABC Which exterior is superior? Homeowners’ merry and bright holiday decorations bring mega-wattage to the season’s last two contests. Makes you wish you’d at least bothered to untangle those bulbs for your own tree. SOUNDS…

25th Annual A Home for the Holidays 8/7c, CBS Informative and inspiring, the long-running A Home for the Holidays specials share the stories of children in foster care awaiting adoption and introduce families that have taken in foster kids. This year’s anniversary special revisits some of those families, celebrating the loving bonds that have been created. What’s a Home if it’s not filled with music? Katharine McPhee (left) and David Foster open the uplifting hour with “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Also performing: Pentatonix (“Hallelujah”), Lauren Daigle, Gavin DeGraw (“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”) and CeCe Winans. McPhee takes on the role of host too, having lent her talents to multiple Home specials. She says she keeps coming back because the impact is so great: “People…

Married at First Sight 8/7c, Lifetime With the couples finally married and honeymooning, it’s time for Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier to host a “Journey So Far” midseason recap. Frazier and a panel of MAFS experts weigh in on each pairing’s highs and lows and preview upcoming episodes. The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors 9/8c, CBS Once again hosted by former honoree Gloria Estefan, this year’s tribute to outstanding performers celebrates comic Billy Crystal, pop and R&B star Dionne Warwick, opera icon Renée Fleming, actress-rapper Queen Latifah and Bee Gees frontman Barry Gibb (above). The D.C. event also honors hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. PLEASE DON’T EAT THE ANTIQUES! American Pickers SEASON PREMIERE 9/8c and 10/9c, History Two people’s trash is another two’s treasure in back-to-back premiere episodes. To start, foragers Mike Wolfe…

America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League SERIES PREMIERE 8/7c, NBC Ever thought the judges on AGT were being a little too competitive? Well, that’s the point in this latest spinoff of the reality talent show: Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Mel B (left, back since leaving the franchise in 2019) divide and draft 40 acts into their teams of 10, hoping to guide one to a $250,000 prize. The acts—all Got Talent alums from around the world—vary from aerialists and clairvoyants to magicians and singers. Terry Crews hosts. 135th Rose Parade 11am/10c/8p, NBC Daytime Pick Al Roker loves a parade! The weathercaster teams with Today colleague Hoda Kotb for his 25th year hosting the annual display of rose-covered floats and marching bands in Pasadena. Grand marshal: Audra McDonald. 2023…

Legends of the Stagecoach 8/7c, INSP High school driver’s ed could never have prepared you for the stagecoach: “Imagine driving a car where your steering mechanism is 36 feet in front of you,” says early Western vehicle historian David Sneed in this absorbing documentary special. The ability to handle the “ribbons,” aka reins, for six horses, not to mention read terrain and maneuver an unwieldy wagon, was quite the commodity. Stagecoach drivers earned about $3,000 to $4,000 a year—more than surgeons or lawyers. Former slave George Monroe (portrayed in a reenactment, below) was a rock star in the field, carrying three U.S. presidents. In one thrilling anecdote, as he heads down a steep road bordered by a cliff, the brake lever snaps. It’s touch and go, but at last he’s…

Planet Earth: Africa Noon/11am c, BBC America This six-parter (airing as a binge) made its U.S. debut in 2013, but Sir David Attenborough’s name on a nature series typically means it’ll hold up on repeat viewing. Watch out for the intense neck-thwacking battle between two male giraffes in “Kalahari” (3/2c). Elementary Noon/11am c and 1/noon c, Start TV Daytime Pick Get a double dose of deduction, seven days a week: CBS’s smart 2012–19 drama about Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) and Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) is new to the Start TV schedule. FORE-PLAY Love on the Right Course MOVIE PREMIERE 8/7c, Hallmark Channel After some career bogeys, pro golfer Whitney (Ashley Newbrough) takes time to reassess at home in Budapest, where her family owns a golf course. The new…

ACROSS 1 Saget of Full House 4 Health resorts 8 Droops down 12 “Eureka!” 13 L.A.’s Finest star 14 J.K. Simmons’ role on Law & Order 15 Wrestler Flair 16 Murder, She Wrote setting (2 wds.) 18 Beverly Hills, 90210 actress 20 Annoyed 21 Are We There ____? 22 Oscar winner Jamie ____ Curtis of Everything Everywhere All at Once 23 Was concerned 26 1990s Swoosie Kurtz series 30 The Great Grape ____ Show 31 Who has brought you 30 years of holiday sparkle? 32 Compete 33 Elementary actress (2 wds.) 36 Frasier’s last name 38 Prepare to shoot 39 Margaret of Fashion Police 40 Alda and Arkin 43 State where Alice was set 47 2000–02 sci-fi series (2wds.) 49 Cut the grass 50 Luyendyk Jr. of The Bachelor and The Traitors 51 Former Discovery series ____…

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) As the sun moves through your sign, now is the time to shine. Powerful change is ahead for you—by this time next year, you might hardly recognize yourself. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) It’s lovely to receive presents at any time, and for many, December ends with a massive gifting fiesta. But the skies have a message for you; it’s a time to give as much as it is to receive, and we’re not just talking about presents. Give love and support too. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) A new life cycle is starting as we move toward 2024—and that includes a new romantic cycle. Whereas the past few years have seen you mired in worries and dramas, the coming year will lighten your load. Healthy self-esteem is…

@damianholbrook Cheers to the Donna Mills–aissance! The Knots Landing vixen had a year as fabulous as she is, with turns on The Rookie: Feds, a trio of Lifetime’s V.C. Andrews–based teleplays and the network’s soap-opera sendup Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas. Now, who do we need to throw a drink at to get a Knots reboot? Cheers to Network TV for finally one-upping streaming and cable with scripted hits like ABC’s Not Dead Yet, Fox’s Accused and NBC’s Found and The Irrational. Cheers to Vanderpump Rules for keeping us fed. With the actors’ and writers’ strikes stalling production on so many scripted shows, Bravo’s better-than-ever Real Housewives spinoff served up an addictive buffet of onscreen turmoil and online anarchy on the back of the #Scandoval that still has fans…