Cover Story this week
Love is all around
Showtime reboots an old favorite with ‘The L Word: Generation Q’
By Breanna Henry TV MediaShowtime has always been up for taking a risk. A drug-dealing suburban mom and an awkwardly heroic serial killer were widely considered too objectionable for audiences in 2005, yet “Weeds” and “Dexter” both skyrocketed to phenom status (along with their casts and creators) when Showtime took a chance on them. More recent series such as “Shameless” and “Ray Donovan” have continued the trend.
Major networks have declined to even glance at many of the series Showtime has greenlit, and over the years, the network’s open-mindedness and forward-thinking have turned those shows into mainstream cultural sensations. On Sunday, Dec. 8, Showtime is taking a new kind of chance. For the first time ever, the network is reviving one of its own un expected hits, as “The L Word: Gener ation Q” brings the 2004 original se ries “The L Word” into the modern era. Fans of the old show will be ecstatic to see the return of original cast members, and new fans will appreciate the rise of brandnew breakout stars.
“The L Word” was an hour-long drama featuring an ensemble cast of
women. The series followed a diverse group of 20-somethings as they went about their daily lives in West Hollywood trying to navigate their many (often disastrous) relationships. Showtime has never been one to shy away from sexuality in its programs, and “The L Word” was no exception; what was different about the show
pleased as punch if they did). The fictional characters of “The L Word” were living the kinds of vastly differing lives and partaking in the different types of relationships that reallife queer women were, with a whole lot of dramatic flare thrown in to keep viewers hooked.
“The L Word: Generation Q” features the return of original series stars Jennifer Beals (“Flashdance,” 1983), indie-pop musician Leisha Hailey (“Dead Ant,” 2017) and actor Katherine Moennig (“Ray Donovan”) as Bette Porter, Alice Pieszecki and Shane McCutcheon, respectively. A few new actresses and actors also get the chance to shine in this sequel, including Jacqueline Toboni (“Grimm”) as an executive assistant named Sarah; Arienne Mandi (“In the Vault”) as Bette’s new lover, Dani; and Leo Sheng (“Adam,” 2019) as Micah, a professor. The return of Beals, Pieszecki and Moennig
Late Laughs
A Little Late With Lilly Singh
With an adult perspective, Mario should have taken a hint. Princess Peach was never really into him. She wasn’t kidnapped by Bowzer, he had a castle! She was leveling up!
gives fans high hopes for the revival; since “The L Word” was such a big part of these women’s careers, signing on signals their belief in the script Showtime has put together.
While Shane, Bette and Alice were on the air from 2004 to 2009, “The L Word” was THE show for lesbian, queer and questioning television audiences. The year before “The L Word” premiered, only two of 674 female characters on prime-time television (0.2%) were lesbians, and the queer community was crying out for more representation.
That’s not to say this show was perfect in its representation, or even that it lived up to the responsibility it had. No one on “The L Word” ever seemed to have to go to work, everyone seemed to be rich (even Shane, the drug-taking, hypersexual hairdresser), and everyone was involved in some kind of affair all of the time, usually with each other. Still, it was a far cry from the LGBTQ tropes running rampant on network television in the preceding years.
The important thing is that “The L Word” broke ground for the shows that came after it, including Netflix’s cross-culturally popular “Orange Is the New Black” (created by “Weeds” creator Jenji Kohan, yet another reason to thank Showtime) and CW’s newest Arrowverse series, “Batwoman.” Showtime is finally getting the chance to bring the dated stereotypes and the oft-problematic storylines of “The L Word” into the modern age with “Generation Q”; selecting L.A. Outfest award winner MarjaLewis Ryan as showrunner gives the show a promising start.
There were six seasons and multiple spinoffs of “The L Word,” which was unabashedly serialized with almost no episodic gratuities. Luckily, new viewers can watch a relatively short recap of the entire series on YouTube, and you will have to suffer through the cringe-inducing theme song (“The L Word” by Betty) at least once to really understand the pain of those who watched it when it aired.
There is a whole lot to catch up on: the series began with an affair, ended with a murder and was not lacking in dramatics anywhere in between. The new series is sure to be full of similar flare, but its characters should be a little more down to earth. Tune in to the series premiere of “The L Word: Generation Q” when it airs Sunday, Dec. 8, on Showtime.
Conan
A fan is suing Madonna for pushing back the start time of her concert two hours. The fan said, “I can’t stay up that late, I’m as old as Madonna!”
Congressman Mike Turner said that the Constitution does not admit hearsay. He admitted he doesn’t know that firsthand, it’s just something he heard somewhere.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
I want to say congrats to “Sesame Street” for turning 50 years old. You can tell some of the “Sesame Street” characters are getting old because Cookie Monster now shouts, “Me want Belvita biscuit to keep self regular.”
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
I hope everybody out there is all bundled up because 70% of the country is in the grip of an Arctic blast. In New York, it dropped 40 degrees in 24 hours. It’s so cold the Empire State building shrunk from 102 stories to 63.
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Donald Jr. has a new book, Nicki Haley has a new book. Meanwhile, Eric Trump was back home working on his new book and, we can reveal, he still hasn’t found Waldo.
Late Night With Seth Meyers
Kanye West is suggesting that he may legally change his name to “Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West.” But I’m going to keep calling him “Mr. Kardashian.”
WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME VIDEO
“The Expanse” Season 4
Fans of this popular futuristic series can rejoice. Despite being canceled by Syfy in May 2018, the series was rescued by Prime, which has produced a 10-episode fourth season. You can watch those new episodes starting Friday, Dec. 13. The original cast returns in this continuation: the main crew of the spaceship Rocinate includes Captain Jim Holden (Steven Strait, “Magic City”), pilot Alex Kamal (Cas Anvar, “The Strain”), executive officer Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper, “MindGamers,” 2015) and chief engineer Amos Burton (Wes Chatham, “Broken Horses,” 2015). Season 4 marks a brand-new chapter for the crew after Season 3 was brought to such a smooth close, but since the show is based on the bestselling book series of the same name by James S. A. Corey, there is plenty of source material to pull from. Using the fourth book in the saga as its source, the new season will see the crew take on a new mission to explore the worlds beyond the Ring Gate, which was opened at the end of Season 3. Tensions run high between the nations of Earth, Mars and the Belt as the discovery of thousands of Earth-like planets that can be accessed through the Ring Gate creates a land rush. As Earthers and Martians alike move to colonize these planets, they quickly realize how unaware they are of the dangers of this new world. Even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan, the reaction to the Season 3 cancellation should tell you how good the series is — fans went as far as flying a #savetheexpanse banner over Amazon headquarters. You can catch up on the first three seasons, which are available to stream now, before the Rocinate relaunches on Prime.
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX
“6 Underground” (2019)
On Friday, Dec. 13, Ryan Reynolds and the creators of “Deadpool”
reunite in this star-studded new action film premiering on the streamer. Reynolds stars as the leader of a vigilante special ops team targeting the most dangerous criminals throughout Europe. Joining him as his carefully selected team of operatives are Melanie Laurent (“Inglorious Bastards,” 2009), Ben Hardy (“EastEnders”), Corey Hawkins (“BlacKkKlansman,” 2018), Adria Arjona (“Emerald City”) and Manuel Garci-Rulfo (“The Magnificent Seven,” 2016). Having faked their deaths, the six are essentially ghosts, and they work to pull off covert missions aimed at taking out truly evil people. They know that they won’t be remembered but take solace in the fact that their actions sure as hell will be. As if it wasn’t already sure to be a hit based on the cast alone, Michael Bay (“Transformers”) is on board as director and has described the film as him getting “back to his old-school self.” Don’t miss the comedy and explosion-filled premiere of “6 Underground” when it premieres this Friday.
“Family Reunion: A Family Reunion Christmas”
Everyone who fell in love with the McKellan family when “Family Reunion” premiered on Netflix this summer may still have a while to wait for a new season, but on Monday, Dec. 9, you can get a small fix of the family fun when “A Family
Reunion Christmas” premieres on the streamer. For those who are unfamiliar, Tia Mowry (“The Game”) stars as Cocoa McKellan, a free-spirited mother from Seattle who moves her husband, Moz (Anthony Alabi, “Raven’s Home”), and four children — Jade (Talia Jackson, “Station 19”), Shaka (Isaiah Russell-Bailey, “Throwback Holiday,” 2018), Mazzi (Cameron J. Wright, “Tall Girl,” 2019) and Ami (Jordyn Raya James, “Five Points”) — to a small town in Georgia to be closer to family. Everyday life is already a huge adjustment for the family, which has gone from the big city to a small southern town, and Christmas is sure to be even more of an adjustment with already lengthy church services undoubtedly running longer and the home cooking of fam-
ily matriarch M’Dear (Loretta Devine, “Grey’s Anatomy”) becoming even more elaborate.
WHAT’S NEW ON HULU
“Marvel’s Runaways” Season 3
The Marvel Universe continues to expand as “Runaways” heads into its third season, premiering Friday, Dec. 13, on Hulu. Follow the lives of Chase Stein (Gregg Sulkin, “Faking It”), Gert Yorkes (Ariela Barer, “Atypical”), Nico Minoru (Lyrica Okano, “The Affair”), Karolina Dean (Virginia Gardner, “Halloween,” 2018), Molly Hernandez (Allegra Acosta, “American Girl,” 2016) and Alex Wilder (Rhenzy Feliz, “Casual”), a group of teens who discover that their parents make up a group of supervillains known as PRIDE. Season 1 saw the friends begin to investigate their parents, discovering their very own superhuman abilities in the process. But after learning about a sinister plan hatched by PRIDE leader Jonah (Julian McMahon, “Nip/Tuck”), they realize they are not safe in their own homes and band together as they run away. In the second season, the kids adjust not only to living away from home but having new powers they don’t understand. They also work together to try to stop Jonah and the rest of their parents. Make sure to watch as they take on a new villain played by Elizabeth Hurley (“The Royals”) when Season 3 premieres.
Same
Sunday, Dec. 8
8:00 a.m. ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 Championship Drive (Live) (3:00)
FSN In-Depth Outdoors (0:30)
8:30 a.m. FSN Lindy Fish Ed. (0:30)
9:00 a.m. FSN Jason Mitchell Outdoors
(0:30)
9:30 a.m. FSN Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
GOLF Golf Central Pre-game (Live)
(0:30)
10:00 a.m. (9) KMSP Vikings GameDay Live (Live) (1:00)
(15) KVRR (29) WFTC NFL Kickoff (Live) (1:00)
(23) WUCW The Meatsauce and Monty Show (0:30)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
GOLF Golf Day 2 Father/Son Challenge. (Live) (1:00)
NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:25)
10:25 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer Wol. at B&H (Live) (2:05)
10:30 a.m. FSN Pro Football Weekly
(0:30)
11:00 a.m. (7) KCCO The NFL Today (Live) (1:00)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox NFL Sunday (Live) (1:00)
(11) KARE Golf Day 2 Father/Son Challenge. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN College Football Playoff (Live)
(4:00)
ESPN2 Fantasy Football Now (Live) (1:00)
FSN NCAA Basketball Women’s Fla. S. vs. Clem. (Live) (2:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
Noon (7) KCCO NFL Football Blt. at Buf. (Live) (3:25)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Football Det. at Min. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 eSports (1:00)
GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
12:30 p.m. GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
NBCSN Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (0:30)
1:00 p.m. (5) KSTP World of X Games (1:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Women’s Tex. at Ten. (Live) (2:00)
GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
NBCSN Rugby World Cup Sevens. (2:00)
1:30 p.m. FSN Crankworx Slopestyle Championship (0:30)
GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
2:00 p.m. (5) KSTP NCAA Basketball Lone Star Showdown. Tex.A&M vs. Tex. (Live) (2:00)
(11) KARE Road to the Presidents Cup (1:00)
FSN Red Bull Air Race (1:30)
GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
2:30 p.m. GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
3:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR The OT (Live) (0:30)
(11) KARE Golf World Long Drive Championship. (1:00)
ESPN NCAA Basketball Women’s Jimmy V Classic. N.D. vs. Con. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Championship Drive (Live) (3:00)
GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
NBCSN ISU Figure Skating Men’s and Women’s Free Grand Prix Final. (2:00)
3:25 p.m. (7) KCCO NFL Football Kan. at N.E. (Live) (3:05)
3:30 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Vikings Post Game (Live) (1:30)
FSN Crashed Ice (1:00)
GOLF Golf Advisor Round Trip (0:30)
4:00 p.m. (11) KARE FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Giant Slalom (Live) (1:00)
GOLF Golf Central (1:00)
4:30 p.m. FSN Red Bull Event Highlights (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Cliff Diving (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Hero World Challenge. (5:00)
NBCSN FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Women’s Super G (1:00)
6:00 p.m. (11) KARE Football Night in America (Live) (1:20)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Gonz. at Wash. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Red Bull Signature Series Straight Rhythm. (1:00)
NBCSN FIS Cross-country Skiing World Cup Women’s 4x5km Relay (1:00)
7:00 p.m. FSN The Yearbook Published by PrepSpotlight.tv (0:30)
7:20 p.m. (11) KARE NFL Football Sea. at L.A. (Live) (3:10)
7:30 p.m. ESPN Championship Drive (Live) (2:30)
FSN Spotlight (0:30)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Set. Hall at Iowa (Live) (2:00)
FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
8:30 p.m. FSN NBA Basketball Min. at L.A. L. (Live) (2:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 eSports (1:00)
GOLF Golf Day 2 Father/Son Challenge. (4:00)
Monday, Dec. 9
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (0:30)
GOLF LET Golf Round 3 Kenya Open. (2:00)
NBCSN Pro Football Talk (2:00)
8:30 a.m. FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer Ber. at Fran. (2:00)
10:00 a.m. GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Hero World Challenge. (4:00)
NBCSN Sky Sports News (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:30)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at L.A. L. (2:00)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL PrimeTime (Live) (1:00)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby (1:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Min. at Car. (2:00)
NBCSN Premier League Live (Live) (0:55)
1:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
1:55 p.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer ARS at WHU (Live) (2:05)
2:00 p.m. ESPN2 NBA: The Jump (Live) (1:00)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
5:30 p.m. GOLF Inside the PGA Tour (0:30)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (Live) (6:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
7:00 p.m. ESPN NFL Football N.Y. G at Phi. (Live) (3:15)
ESPN2 Cornhole (2:00)
FSN Spotlight (0:30)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (0:30)
GOLF LET Golf Final Round Kenya Open. (2:00)
NBCSN Pro Football Talk (2:00)
8:30 a.m. FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer B. Muni. at M’Glad. (2:00)
10:00 a.m. GOLF Inside the PGA Tour (0:30)
NBCSN Sky Sports News (2:00)
10:30 a.m. GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (6:00)
NBCSN Fishing With Roland Martin (0:30)
1:30 p.m. NBCSN A Fishing Story (0:30)
1:45 p.m. HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1:05)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:30)
TNT UEFA Soccer Champions League. (Live) (2:00)
2:30 p.m. NBCSN My Classic Car (0:30)
3:00 p.m. ESPN High Noon (0:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Pho. (2:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (1:00)
NBCSN Tractor Pulling Lucas Oil Pro League (1:00)
TNT UEFA BR Football Post-Match (Live) (0:30)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
GOLF Inside the PGA Tour (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Daily Wager (Live) (1:00)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF Best Lessons Ever (0:30)
5:30 p.m. GOLF Inside the PGA Tour (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Live! (Live) (1:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN NCAA Basketball Jimmy V Classic. Tex.Tech vs. L.ville (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball UMD at Penn.St. (Live) (2:00)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (Live) (7:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wild Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Hockey St.L. at Buf. (Live) (2:45)
7:00 p.m. FSN NHL Hockey Ana. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
TNT NBA Basketball Atl. at Mia. (Live) (2:30)
8:00 p.m. ESPN NCAA Basketball Jimmy V Classic. Ind. vs. Con. (Live) (2:30)
GOLF Golf Day 2 Father/Son Challenge. (3:30)
3:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 High Noon (0:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at L.A. L. (2:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN2 Highly Questionable (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:00)
NBCSN Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (0:30)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
NBCSN Men in Blazers (Live) (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN Monday Night Countdown (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
USA WWE Monday Night Raw (Live) (3:00)
7:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
8:00 p.m. FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Pho. (Live) (2:30)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
9:00 p.m. ESPN2 Countdown To (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 UFC Countdown (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
10:15 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:15)
Tuesday, Dec. 10
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Pho. (2:00)
TNT UEFA BR Football Matchday (Live) (0:55)
11:55 a.m. TNT UEFA Soccer Champions League. (Live) (2:05)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN Seasons on the Fly (0:30)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
NBCSN Sweetwater (0:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby (1:00)
FSN NCAA Basketball Neb. at Crei. (2:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball But. at Bay. (Live) (2:00)
HBO Belichick and Saban: The Art of Coaching (1:15)
SHOW Inside the NFL (1:00)
9:15 p.m. NBCSN NHL Overtime (Live) (0:45)
9:30 p.m. FSN Wild Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
TNT Inside the NBA (Live) (1:00)
10:00 p.m. FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
NBCSN PowerNation on the Road (1:00)
SHOW Inside the NFL (1:00)
10:30 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:30)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
TNT NBA Basketball Atl. at Mia. (2:30)
Sports
Wednesday, Dec. 11
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wild Live Post-game (0:30)
NBCSN Pro Football Talk (2:00)
8:30 a.m. FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer Fort. at Dor. (2:00)
GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (5:30)
10:00 a.m. NBCSN Sky Sports News (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Ana. at Min. (2:00)
TNT UEFA BR Football Matchday (Live) (0:55)
11:55 a.m. TNT UEFA Soccer Champions League. (Live) (2:05)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN Drone Racing League (1:00)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby (1:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Pho. (2:00)
NBCSN Drone Racing League (1:00)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:30)
TNT UEFA Soccer Champions League. (Live) (2:00)
2:30 p.m. GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (Live) (2:00)
3:00 p.m. ESPN High Noon (0:30)
FSN NHL Hockey Ana. at Min. (2:00)
3:15 p.m. HBO Belichick and Saban: The Art of Coaching (1:15)
3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (1:00)
TNT UEFA BR Football Post-Match (Live) (0:30)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Day 1 Presidents Cup. (Live) (6:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Daily Wager (Live) (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker High Roller. (1:00)
NBCSN NHL Live! (Live) (1:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball L.A. C. at Tor. (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:30)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Hockey Bos. at Was. (Live) (2:30)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. FSN NBA Basketball Utah at Min. (Live) (2:30)
TNT All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite (2:00)
USA WWE NXT (Live) (2:08)
7:30 p.m. ESPN2 The American Game (1:00)
8:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball N.O. at Mil. (Live) (2:35)
ESPN2 The Greatest (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Hockey Pha. at Col. (Live) (2:30)
9:30 p.m. ESPN2 Unlocking Victory (0:30)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Spotlight (0:30)
Thursday, Dec. 12
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (0:30)
NBCSN Pro Football Talk (2:00)
8:30 a.m. FSN Spotlight (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer Sch. at Lev. (2:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Day 1 Presidents Cup. (6:30)
10:00 a.m. NBCSN Sky Sports News (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Utah at Min. (2:00) Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN Drone Racing League (1:00)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby
FSN NCAA Basketball (2:00)
NBCSN Drone Racing League
2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:30)
3:00 p.m. ESPN High Noon (0:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Utah at Min. (2:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (Live) (2:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 High Noon (0:30)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
ESPN2 Highly Questionable (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Daily Wager (Live) (1:00)
FSN Spotlight (0:30)
5:30 p.m. FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
6:00 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Live (Live) (0:30)
ESPN College Football Awards Show (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Day 2 Presidents Cup. (Live) (5:00)
6:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Pre-game Show (Live) (0:30)
FSN Wild Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Football N.Y. J at Blt. (Live) (3:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Ia. at Iowa (Live) (2:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Edm. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
TNT NBA Basketball Phi. at Bos. (Live) (2:30)
8:00 p.m. ESPN The American Game (1:00)
9:00 p.m. ESPN The Greatest (0:30)
9:30 p.m. ESPN Championship Drive (0:30)
TNT NBA Basketball Por. at Den. (Live) (2:30)
Friday, Dec. 13
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wild Live Post-game (0:30)
NBCSN Pro Football Talk (2:00)
1:30 p.m. FSN Midwest Outdoors (0:30)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Day 3 Presidents Cup. (Live) (11:00)
3:00 p.m. ESPN High Noon (0:30)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
FSN Rooster Tales (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 Max on Boxing (0:30)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
4:05 p.m. HBO 24/7: Kelly Slater (0:50)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
218-829-1352
7548 Industrial Park Road, Baxter, MN 56425 (South of Hwy. 210, off Hwy. 371)
8:30 a.m. FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
8:50 a.m. HBO Belichick and Saban: The Art of Coaching (1:15)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Utah at Min. (2:00)
10:00 a.m. NBCSN Sky Sports News (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Edm. at Min. (2:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Round 1 QBE Shootout. (Live) (2:00)
Noon (9) KAWE Sit and Be Fit (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN Mecum Top 10 (0:30)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
NBCSN FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup Halfpipe U.S. Grand Prix. (Live) (1:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby (1:00)
FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)
GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (Live) (1:00)
ESPN NBA Basketball G.S. at Utah (Live) (2:35)
ESPN2 UFC Live (0:30)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live)
(0:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
NBCSN Bowling Bowlero Elite Series. (2:00)
Saturday, Dec. 14
8:00 a.m. ESPN College GameDay (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Rooster Tales (0:30)
8:30 a.m. NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:25)
8:55 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer (Live)
(2:05)
9:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)
GOLF Morning Drive (Live) (2:00)
9:30 a.m. FSN Midwest Outdoors (0:30)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
10:30 a.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
11:00 a.m. (7) KCCO NCAA Basketball Ore. at Mich. (Live) (2:30)
(9) KMSP Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
ESPN NCAA Football Quarter-final Division I Tournament. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Mich. St. vs. Oak. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Passion for the Hunt (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Round 2 QBE Shootout. (Live) (4:00)
NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:30)
11:30 a.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox College Hoops Tip-Off (Live) (0:30)
ESPN NCAA Basketball Mem. at Ten. (Live) (2:00)
FSN NCAA Basketball Lam. at TCU (Live) (2:00)
2:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR Inside PBC Boxing (1:00)
3:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball St. Lou. vs. Aub. (Live) (2:00)
GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (Live) (2:00)
NBCSN Fort Lauderdale Boat Show (1:00)
4:00 p.m. (8) WDSE Prairie Sportsman (0:30)
ESPN NCAA Basketball Ga.T. at Ken. (Live) (2:00)
FSN WPT Poker High Roller. (1:00)
NBCSN NCAA Basketball Charl. at Rich. (Live) (2:00)
5:00 p.m. (23) WUCW Gametime With Boomer Esiason (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Okl. at Wich. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Becoming Wild (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Day Presidents Cup. (Live) (6:00)
5:30 p.m. FSN Wild Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
6:00 p.m. (29) WFTC NCAA Hockey Omaha at St. Cloud (Live) (2:30)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Pha. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
NBCSN IIHF Hockey Women’s Rivalry Series. Can. vs. USA (Live) (2:30)
7:00 p.m. ESPN Heisman Trophy Ceremony (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 UFC UFC 245 Preliminaries (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN Boxing Terence Crawford vs. Egidijus Kavaliasuskas Top Rank. (Live) (2:30)
8:30 p.m. (29) WFTC Whacked Out Sports (0:30)
FSN Wild Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
ESPN2 UFC Live (Live) (0:30)
FSN In-Depth Outdoors (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Daily Wager (Live) (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker High Roller. (1:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN Peyton’s Places (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Football Quarter-final Division I Tournament. (Live) (3:00)
FSN Three Wide Life (0:30)
6:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Countdown (Live) (0:30)
FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR WWE Friday Night Smackdown! (Live) (2:00)
ESPN NBA Basketball L.A. L. at Mia. (Live) (2:30)
FSN NBA Basketball L.A. C. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
8:00 p.m. NBCSN Bowling Bowlero Elite Series. (2:00)
8:30 p.m. (29) WFTC Vikings Connected (0:30)
9:00 p.m. ESPN2 Max on Boxing (0:30)
9:30 p.m. (15) KVRR KVRR Sports Extra (0:30)
(11) KARE EPL Soccer WHU at SOU (Live) (2:00)
FSN Larry Smith Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN Wakeboarding (0:30)
Noon (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NCAA Basketball Syr. at Geo. (Live) (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball L.A. C. at Min. (2:00)
NBCSN Tractor Pulling Lucas Oil Pro League (1:00)
1:00 p.m. (5) KSTP World of X Games (1:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Never Forget Tribute Classic. Del. vs. Vill. (Live) (2:00)
NBCSN Mecum Top 10 (0:30)
1:30 p.m. (7) KCCO College Football Today (0:30)
(11) KARE PGA Golf Round 3 Presidents Cup. (3:30)
NBCSN FIS Snowboarding World Cup Halfpipe U.S. Grand Prix. (Live) (1:30)
HBO Belichick and Saban: The Art of Coaching (1:15)
2:00 p.m. (5) KSTP NCAA Basketball UCLA at N.D. (Live) (2:00)
(7) KCCO NCAA Football Army vs. Navy (Live) (3:30)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR Run It Back (0:30)
NBCSN FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Women’s Super G (1:00)
9:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Gonz. at Arz. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
9:30 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:30)
(15) KVRR Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
NBCSN FIS Snowboarding World Cup Big Air (1:00)
10:00 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
FSN The Fantasy Football Hour (1:00)
10:30 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Connected (0:30)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:30)
NBCSN IBSF Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup Women’s (0:30)
11:00 p.m. (23) WUCW Ring of Honor Wrestling (1:00)
ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (0:30)
FSN Pro Football Weekly (0:30)
GOLF Live From the Presidents Cup (Live) (2:00)
NBCSN EPCR Rugby Champions Cup. Mun. vs. Sar. (2:00)
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Sports Dec 8, 2019 to Dec 14, 2019
A sweet treat: ‘Great American Baking Show’ spreads holiday joy on ABC
By Michelle Rose TV MediaIfyou’re a fan of “The Great American Baking Show,” get ready to enter the tent this week. ABC’s baking competition returns for a fifth season on Thursday, Dec. 12, and it will be baking up holiday cheer.
If you’re not familiar with the series, this is an American adaptation of the BAFTA award-winning program “The Great British Bake Off,” which is a big hit in the United Kingdom. You might have seen it on PBS and Netflix, too, though the import’s title was changed to “The Great British Baking Show” in the U.S. to avoid trademark infringement.
Either way, “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” is just the kind of family-friendly fare that’s a sweet treat for the eyes this time of year. Spice Girls member Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice) is back as host along with former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Anthony “Spice” Adams, while pastry chef Sherry Yard (a three-time James Beard Award winner) joins returning veteran Paul Hollywood.
The Dec. 12 episode begins with an introduction to 10 amateur bakers from across the country. They’ll quickly be put to the test in different challenges (six per week) that will send some competitors home.
A lot can go wrong when you’re whipping up meringues in an overly hot tent (more on that later), but you’re not going to see any Gordon Ramsay-style yelling here. This is one of the friendliest competitions on TV — after all, the grand prize is a glass plate and national exposure. Despite the (refreshing) lack of drama and duplicity, tensions can still run as high as a croquembouche when you’re racing against the clock. But the judges are known to be honest and fair, and you’re more likely to see the bakers supporting and encouraging each other throughout the competition. Call me sentimental, but that’s the kind of caring that exemplifies the spirit of the holiday season, at least on a food-themed competition show.
The season premiere airs right after “Frozen” and “Toy Story” holiday
specials, so it seems right to focus on sweet cakes (and bread, too). Future challenges will include sweet and savory/spiced creations, more delicious desserts, pastries (my favorite to watch and eat) and cookies.
Despite all those holiday decorations, treats and themed challenges, “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” filmed this past summer at Pinewood Studios, in Buckinghamshire (United Kingdom). It filmed during a heat wave, too, and those high temperatures and humidity must have added a whole other layer of difficulty to working with dough, yeast and sugar in a tent full of ovens, appliances and studio lighting.
So who will triumph? Tune in to ABC on Dec. 12 and keep watching every Thursday until “America’s Best Amateur Baker” is crowned in the Jan. 2 finale.
Sunday, Dec. 8
1:00 p.m. (8) WDSE Beatrice
Ojakangas: Welcome to My Kitchen
Monday, Dec. 9
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show
10:00 p.m. (8) WDSE Beatrice
Ojakangas: Welcome to My Kitchen
Tuesday, Dec. 10
11:30 a.m. (9) KAWE Sara’s Weeknight
Meals
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show
Wednesday, Dec. 11
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show
Thursday, Dec. 12
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show
7:30 p.m. (8) WDSE Around the Farm Table
8:00 p.m. (5) KSTP The Great American Baking Show (N)
9:00 p.m. (5) KSTP The Great American Baking Show (N)
Friday, Dec. 13
12:30 p.m. (9) KAWE Food Over 50
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show
Saturday, Dec. 14
7:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Steven Raichlen’s Project Smoke
7:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Moveable Feast With Fine Cooking
8:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Jamie’s Quick and Easy Food
8:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Simply Ming
9:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Martha Bakes
9:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Pati’s Mexican Table (N)
10:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Mexico: One Plate at a Time (9) KAWE America’s Home Cooking: Stuffed
10:30 a.m. (2) KTCA New Orleans Cooking With Kevin Belton
11:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Joanne Weir’s Plates and Places
11:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Lidia’s Kitchen Noon (2) KTCA Sara’s Weeknight Meals
12:30 p.m. (2) KTCA America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated
1:00 p.m. (2) KTCA Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street
1:30 p.m. (2) KTCA Cook’s Country From America’s Test Kitchen
2:30 p.m. (8) WDSE Cook’s Country From America’s Test Kitchen
3:00 p.m. (2) KTCA Confucius Was a Foodie
(8) WDSE America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Food Dec 8, 2019 to Dec 14, 2019
Fa-la-la-ha-ha Celebrate the holiday season with your favorite ABC comedies
By Kyla Brewer TV MediaThere’s something special about getting together with family and friends for the holidays. In the weeks leading up to the festive season, many people dream of enjoying quality time with loved ones, but reality doesn’t always live up to those expectations. This week, three of television’s most popular comedies explore the ups and downs of the holidays in special new episodes.
The Goldberg family tries to outdo the Kremps, the Pritchetts juggle holiday plans and some single parents set out to find snow in California in special episodes of “The Goldbergs,” “Modern Family” and “Single Parents,” all airing Wednesday, Dec. 11, on ABC. Fans of the hit sitcoms can enjoy the festive antics of some of their favorite characters, and perhaps feel a bit better about their own holiday foibles.
The fun kicks off with a trip back in time to visit a holiday past with the Goldberg family. Set in the 1980s, the series is based on the childhood of its creator, filmmaker Adam F. Goldberg (“Schooled”). Sean Giambrone (“Kim Possible”) stars as the young Adam, while Troy Gentile (“Hotel for Dogs,” 2009) stars as his brother, Barry, and Hayley Orrantia (“Roommates”) stars as his sister, Erica. Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Reno 911!”) plays their overzealous mom, Beverly, and Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) portrays their dad, Murray. George Segal (“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” 1966) rounds out the cast as Goldberg grandpa Pops.
In this season’s holiday episode, Beverly sets out to create the best family holiday card, determined to one-up the Kremps. However, Geoff (Sam Lerner, “Project Almanac,” 2015) is shocked when he isn’t invited to be in the photo. Meanwhile, a pranking war between Barry and the Jenkintown Posse gets out of hand.
The Goldbergs have been celebrating Hanukkah for a while now. The show’s Season 3 holiday episode entitled “A Christmas Story” struck a chord with viewers with several nods to the classic 1983 Christmas film of the same name. The episode was a ratings winner, drawing more than seven million viewers. Subsequent holiday-themed episodes have
ranked among the show’s most popular.
“Modern Family” fans may find this year’s special Christmas-themed episode a bittersweet holiday treat, as it’s likely the show’s final festive bow. Now in its 11th and final season, the show has followed the extended Pritchett family through the ups and downs of modern life in Los Angeles. It’s garnered a huge following, thanks to its talented ensemble cast, and is a critical success with 22 Emmys to its credit, along with 75 nominations.
Ed O’Neill (“Married... with Children”) portrays the patriarch of the family, Jay Pritchett, the owner of Pritchett’s Closets and Blinds. He and his vivacious younger wife, Gloria (Sofia Vergara, “Madea Goes to Jail,” 2009), navigate life with their young son, Joe (Jeremy Maguire, “I’m Not Here,” 2017), and Manny (Rico Rodriguez, “The Lion Guard”), Gloria’s son from a previous relationship. Jay’s daughter, Claire (Julie Bowen, “Ed”), and her husband, Phil (Ty Burrell, “The Incredible Hulk,” 2008), have three grown children — Haley (Sarah Hyland, “Blind Date,” 2007), Alex (Ariel Winter, “Sofia the First”) and Luke (Nolan Gould, “Ghoul,” 2012). Jay’s son, Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Drop the Mic”), and his husband, Cameron (Eric Stonestreet, “The Secret Life of Pets,” 2016), have one daughter, Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, “Arthur”).
In the show’s final holiday episode, Cameron tries to hide the fact that he’s preparing for a big interview for a coaching position out of state while trying to make everyone a happy Christmas dinner. Meanwhile, Haley is happy to finally be able to drink wine again, and Claire tries to avoid talking about Jay’s job offer. Also, Luke must deal with the consequences of his recent romantic entanglement.
Although the cast will surely be sad to leave the show behind, the taping of the Christmas show was apparently festive. Stonestreet posted photos from the taping of the final Christmas episode on Instagram and even pranked his onscreen husband by digitally aging Ferguson to make him look like an old man.
The cast of “Single Parents” may be the new kids on the block com-
pared to “The Goldbergs” and “Modern Family,” but they are nonetheless holding their own on the alphabet network. The first season averaged more than 4.5 million viewers per episode, earning a secondseason order in May. It follows a group of single parents who band together in the hopes of having lives of their own.
The cast includes Taran Killam (“Saturday Night Live”) as single dad Will Cooper, Leighton Meester (“Gossip Girl”) as single mom Angie D’Amato, Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) as widowed father Douglas Fogerty, Kimrie Lewis (“Scandal”) as single mother Poppy Banks, and Jake Choi (“Front Cover,” 2015) as young single dad Miggy.
Last season’s Christmas episode, “The Magic Box,” was among the inaugural season’s most-watched episodes, and producers are hoping to lure viewers with another festive storyline. This time around, Angie’s son, Graham (Tyler Wladis, “A Christmas Story Live!”), writes a letter to Santa asking for either a white Christmas or to finally meet his dad. Angie enlists
Will’s help as she searches for snow in California. Elsewhere, Douglas and Poppy’s kids try to guilt their parents into buying them more presents. These special episodes offer TV viewers a triple dose of holiday cheer. Be sure to tune in to “The Goldbergs,” “Modern Family” and “Single Parents” on Wednesday, Dec. 11, on ABC.
Videoreleases
It Chapter Two
Twenty-seven years after the events of “It” (2017), the members of The Losers Club — Beverly Marsh (Chastain), Bill Denbrough (McAvoy), Richie Tozier (Hader), Mike Hanlon (Mustafa), Ben Hanscom (Ryan), Eddie Kaspbrak (Ransone) and Stanley Uris (Bean) — return to the small
Director:AndyMuschietti.Stars: JessicaChastain,JamesMcAvoy, BillHader,IsaiahMustafa,Jay
Ryan,JamesRansone,AndyBean, BillSkarsgård.2019.169mins. Horror.
Extreme Sudoku
town of Derry to fulfill the promise they made as kids to finally defeat Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Skarsgård). Haunted by some recent tragic events, the friends return to the dreaded Nei
bolt House and descend into the sewers to face Pennywise, in all his frightening forms, as well as their own fears.
Fill