F amily comedies are essential to prime-time television, though few manage to break through the fourth wall and provide a sense of genuine authenticity. It seems as if each decade graces us with one or two quality family sitcoms, the highs and lows of their experiences so familiar that we become a part of the family ourselves. Such legendary series include “All in the Family,” “Roseanne,” “Full House” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Thankfully, the current generation has found its own iconic family to join, though sadly the time has come to say goodbye. The final season of “The Middle” is underway, with a new, Christmasthemed episode arriving Tuesday, Dec. 12, on ABC.
“The Middle” made its way into homes across North America back in September 2009. Throughout the pilot episode, mom Frankie, played by Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), provides the rundown on the Hecks, her family of five. There’s the eldest of her three children, Axl (Charlie McDermott, “Hot Tub Time Machine,” 2010), a carefree, athletic rebel; Sue (Eden Sher, “The Outcasts,” 2017), a klutzy yet optimistic and driven middle child; and Brick (Atticus Shaffer, “Steven Universe”), the brainy, quirky youngest child who juggles exceptional smarts with exhausting boredom.
Dad Mike, played by Neil Flynn (“Scrubs”), rounds off the bunch with his towering height, level
head and blunt honesty. As the family manages day-to-day struggles between breakfasts of frozen pancakes and fast food dinners around a glowing television screen, there is something incredibly raw and endearing about them. There’s no need to try to impress, and no wanting for more than what is possible for them. As the Hecks straddle the line between middle and lower class, there is a sense that a reflection is being sent back to millions of Americans who see their own reality playing out onscreen, week by week. Perhaps this is why the series has long endured, as families have grown up with, and alongside, the Hecks.
This growth is quite literal, with season 9 finding the family shifting toward an adult majority: Brick is now the sole teenager in the house, and entering his sophomore year of high school. Sue is a junior at college, while Axl has found his way home from Europe, greatly changed by the experience (well, somewhat). Frankie and Mike confront the realities of having their adult children at home and the need for both of them, but especially Axl, to contribute to keeping the family afloat as they juggle daily bills and expenses.
Another notable element of the season thus far is its recognition of the family’s journey — the lasting impact of the Hecks in their own universe and the world beyond the screen. The season 9 premiere made this theme overtly clear, with Frankie’s obsessing over the town’s time capsule project, stressing to the family the impor-
Kinship Partners is pleased to honor Dan Davis and Avery Johnson of Staples Minnesota as its newest Match of the Month. Dan and Avery seem to have fun with whatever they decide to do. They spend a lot of time outside fishing or four wheeling. Dan is excited to take Avery ice fishing as soon as the ice is ready. Dan has enjoyed being a part of Avery’s life. Dan said “It helps me get outside of self and he loves seeing Avery happy.”
tance of finding just the right way to commemorate their presence in the town, because, as Frankie frantically asks: “Will people remember that the Hecks were here?”
It’s an obvious thematic choice for a final season, but, as the series does so skilfully, Frankie’s questioning and desire to know the family has had an impact is extremely relatable. Thankfully, the series is helping Frankie to find the answer, by reflecting back on memorable events of “The Middle.” The credit scenes of the episode “Thanksgiving IX,” for instance, reflect on the past nine years of Heck family Thanksgivings. Montages such as this one tug at the heartstrings of fans, who have shared these holiday moments for nearly a decade with “The Middle,” and now accept the bittersweet conclusion to such a relatable journey.
The desire to end the series with season 9 came as quite a shock to fans, who have only seen the show increase in depth and popularity. It would seem that the main reason for concluding “The Middle” at this point is to end the show while it still resonates with viewers, without experiencing a dramatic downturn in ratings or interest. In an interview on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Heaton addressed this: “We love the show, and we love each other, but you get this sense of when it’s time to leave the party. You don’t want to wait until it’s kind of already over.”
The series, still extremely relevant in a time when many families find making ends meet increasingly challenging, could no doubt
have continued to have quite a successful run, but leaving during this pivotal time ensures that the Heck family will not be easily forgotten. Heaton has also been very expressive about the impact of the series and its relationship with its fans. While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, she emphasized that, for the cast, the crew, the writers and the fans, closure is essential. “There are so many people who have been so loyal ... and feel like these characters are their family,” she said, “so we’ll all go on this farewell journey together.”
The journey of the Heck family may be coming to a close this season, but it will forever have a place amongst those legendary family sitcoms that weren’t afraid to serve a thick slice of reality alongside their humorous main course. Reflect on the past eight seasons and hold those memories close as you enjoy some holiday cheer with the Hecks. An all-new Christmasthemed episode of “The Middle” airs Tuesday, Dec. 12, on ABC.
I love doing shows in Harlem, and I’ll tell you why. It’s changed so much just in the past year. You know things are different when you hear the phrase, “Meet me at the Whole Foods on Malcolm X Boulevard.”
Big mayoral election for New York City tomorrow. I know you’re excited about that. In fact, Mayor Bill DiBlasio has a 33-point lead. After hearing this, the New York Giants said, “What’s a lead?”
Today Donald Trump continued his world tour of government-mandated parades. This time: China. The main event! Or as they say there, the whole enchilada! The big kahuna!
A new iPhone glitch is causing the lowercase letter “I” to be replaced by weird symbols. Have you experienced this? It’s so odd. Apple addressed the issue with an official statement saying, “What are you gonna do, buy a Samsung?”
Twitter just doubled the amount of characters you can use, from 140 to 280. Which I think means Twitter is now Facebook.
Kim Kardashian posted an Instagram photo yesterday of Kanye West’s upcoming sneaker model, the Yeezy Mud Rat 500. Incidentally, “Mud Rat 500” was also Steve Bannon’s AOL screen name.
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Sunday, Dec. 10
8:30 a.m. FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN EPL Soccer Evert. at Liverp’l (Live) (1:30)
9:00 a.m. (15) KVRR Midwest Outdoors Magazine (0:30)
ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 Fantasy Football Now (Live) (3:00)
FSN Jason Mitchell Outdoors (0:30)
9:30 a.m. (15) KVRR Ultimate Outdoor Adventure (0:30)
FSN Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
10:00 a.m. (9) KMSP FSN Vikings GameDay Live (Live) (1:00)
(23) WUCW The Meatsauce and Monty Show (0:30)
(29) WFTC NFL Kickoff (Live) (1:00)
NBCSN Premier League Live (Live) (0:30)
10:30 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer Man. C. at Man. U. (Live) (2:00)
11:00 a.m. (7) KCCO The NFL Today (Live) (1:02)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox NFL Sunday (Live) (1:00)
(11) KARE Swimming Short Course National Championships. (1:00)
FSN Focused (0:30)
GOLF Golf Central Pre-game (Live) (1:00)
11:30 a.m. FSN Snow Motion (0:30) Noon (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Football (Live) (3:00)
(11) KARE FIS Snowboarding Grand Prix Freestyle Half-pipe (1:00)
ESPN PBA Bowling USA vs. The World (1:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Soccer National Championship College Cup. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Champions Tennis PowerShares Series Helpful Cup. (2:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round QBE Shootout. (Live) (1:00)
(7) KCCO NFL Football Min. at Car. (Live) (3:23)
12:30 p.m. NBCSN Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (1:00)
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE PGA Golf Shark Shootout. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN NCAA Basketball Arz. St. at Kan. (Live) (2:00)
GOLF EPGA Golf Final Round Joburg Open. (2:00)
1:30 p.m. NBCSN Sports Jeopardy! (0:30)
2:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball
Women’s Tex. at Ten. (Live) (2:00)
FSN WPT Poker (1:00)
NBCSN Tractor Pulling Lucas Oil Pro League (1:00)
3:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Football (Live) (3:30)
(11) KARE ISU GP of Figure Skating (2:00)
ESPN Poker World Series. (1:00)
FSN Focused (0:30)
GOLF Golf Central (1:00)
NBCSN Dirt Racing Lucas Oil Late Model Series (1:00)
3:30 p.m. FSN Xterra Adventures (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Poker World Series. (1:00)
ESPN2 30 for 30 (1:30)
FSN Golf Life (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round QBE Shootout. (3:00)
NBCSN Racer TV (0:30)
4:30 p.m. FSN The Yearbook Published by PrepSpotlight.tv 2017-18 (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
5:30 p.m. ESPN2 Boxing Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux
Top Rank. (2:30)
FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
6:00 p.m. (11) KARE Football Night in America (Live) (1:20)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Dal. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
NBCSN ISU Speed Skating World Cup (1:00)
6:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR The OT (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Golf Final Round
QBE Shootout. (3:00)
NBCSN USSA Alpine Skiing Grand Prix Big Air (1:00)
7:20 p.m. (11) KARE NFL Football Blt. at Pit. (Live) (3:15)
7:30 p.m. ESPN Capital One Bowl Mania (Live) (2:30)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 Kickboxing Glory 49. (2:00)
8:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
9:00 p.m. FSN Bull Riding Championship. (1:00)
NBCSN Sportsperson of the Year (1:00)
10:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Poker World Series. (1:00)
FSN Sled Head 24/7 (0:30)
GOLF Golf Central (1:00)
NBCSN Sports Jeopardy! (0:30)
10:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
NBCSN Sports Jeopardy! (0:30)
10:35 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:25)
11:00 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings: Beyond the Gridiron (0:30)
ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:00)
ESPN2 ESPN FC (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker Five Diamond Classic. (1:00)
GOLF APGA Golf Final Round Australian Masters. (3:00)
NBCSN Match of the Day (1:00)
11:05 p.m. (15) KVRR Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
11:35 p.m. (15) KVRR Vikings: Beyond the Gridiron (0:30)
Monday, Dec. 11
8:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wild Live Post-game (0:30)
GOLF Morning Drive (2:00)
NBCSN The Dan Patrick Show (Live) (3:00)
8:30 a.m. FSN Becoming Wild (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN NCAA Hockey Min. at Ohio St. (1:30)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF LET Golf Final Round Dubai Classic. (2:00)
10:30 a.m. FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Dal. at Min. (2:00)
11:30 a.m. (9) KAWE Functional Fitness (0:30)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
GOLF EPGA Golf Final Round Joburg Open. (2:00)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL PrimeTime (Live) (1:00)
5:00 p.m. ESPN Monday Night Countdown (Live) (2:15)
ESPN2 SportsCenter With Michael and Jemele (1:00)
FSN Vikings Huddle (0:30)
GOLF Golf Central (1:00)
NBCSN Super High Roller Bowl (1:00)
5:30 p.m. FSN The Yearbook Published by PrepSpotlight.tv 2017-18 (0:30)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (1:00)
FSN Xterra Adventures (0:30)
GOLF The Golf Fix (1:00)
NBCSN Super High Roller Bowl (1:00)
10:00 p.m. (2) KTCA Beyond the Divide (1:00)
ESPN2 Poker World Series. (1:00)
FSN UFC’s Road to the Octagon (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
10:20 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:40)
11:00 p.m. ESPN2 E:60 (1:00)
Tuesday, Dec. 12
8:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF Morning Drive (1:00)
NBCSN The Dan Patrick Show (Live) (3:00)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
NBCSN IFA Redfish Tour (0:30)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
FSN NCAA Hockey Min. at Ohio St. (1:30)
1:55 p.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer Chels. at HUD (Live) (2:05)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (0:30)
FSN NCAA Basketball Dra. at Min. (1:30)
3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)
ESPN2 Intentional Talk (Live) (0:30)
FSN NCAA Hockey Min. at Ohio St. (1:30)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Michael and Jemele (1:00)
ESPN2 Around the Horn (0:30)
FSN UFC’s Road to the Octagon (1:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball L.A. L. at N.Y. (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball MS St. at Cin. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Vikings: Beyond the Gridiron (0:30)
GOLF School of Golf (1:00)
NBCSN NHL Live! (Live) (1:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. FSN NBA Basketball Phi. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
GOLF Summer of ‘76 (1:00)
NBCSN NHL Hockey T.B. at St.L. (Live) (2:45)
USA WWE Super Smackdown (2:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Mich. at Tex. (Live) (2:00)
GOLF Fan Favorites: Rounds of 2017 (2:00)
SHOW Inside the NFL (1:00)
8:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball S.A. at Dal. (Live) (2:30)
9:00 p.m. HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1:00)
SHOW A Season With Navy Football (0:30)
9:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
SHOW A Season With Navy Football (0:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 The Paul Finebaum Show (Live) (1:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Min. at S.J. (2:00)
NBCSN Super High Roller Bowl (1:00)
1:30 p.m. ESPN The Fantasy Show (0:30)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
ESPN2 NBA: The Jump (Live) (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round QBE Shootout. (3:00)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 The Fantasy Show (0:30)
NBCSN Super High Roller Bowl (1:00)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
6:30 p.m. FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
7:00 p.m. ESPN2 The Herbies (1:00)
FSN UFC UFC 192 Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson (3:00)
GOLF War by the Shore (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
USA WWE Monday Night Raw (3:05)
7:15 p.m. ESPN NFL Football N.E. at Mia. (Live) (3:05)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 Poker World Series. (1:00)
GOLF Fan Favorites: Rounds of 2017 (3:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
9:00 p.m. ESPN2 Poker World Series. (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN DFL Soccer B. Muni. at Fran. (2:00)
GOLF The Golf Fix (1:00)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NCAA Basketball Dra. at Min. (1:30)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
NBCSN Fishing With Roland Martin (0:30)
11:30 a.m. NBCSN Sweetwater (0:30)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
GOLF Masters Highlights (1:00)
9:45 p.m. NBCSN NHL Overtime (Live) (0:45)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
GOLF Fan Favorites: Rounds of 2017 (2:00)
HBO Boxing Card TBA HBO After Dark. (2:45)
SHOW Inside the NFL (1:00)
10:30 p.m. FSN Vikings: Beyond the Gridiron (0:30)
NBCSN Sportsperson of the Year (1:00)
11:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:00)
ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker Five Diamond Classic. (1:00)
Wednesday, Dec. 13
8:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wild Live Post-game (0:30)
GOLF Morning Drive (1:00)
NBCSN The Dan Patrick Show (Live) (3:00)
8:30 a.m. FSN Across the Ice Belt (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN DFL Soccer Bre. at Dor. (2:00)
GOLF CHAMPS Golf Final Round Regions Tradition. (2:00)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Phi. at Min. (2:00)
GOLF CHAMPS Golf Final Round
Senior PGA Championship. (2:00)
NBCSN Seasons on the Fly (0:30)
11:30 a.m. NBCSN Bass 2 Billfish (0:30)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN Into the Blue (0:30)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
NBCSN Saltwater Experience (0:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 The Paul Finebaum Show (Live) (1:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Cgy. at Min. (2:00)
GOLF CHAMPS Golf Final Round Senior Players Championship. (2:00)
NBCSN Premier League Live (Live) (0:40)
1:40 p.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer Man. C. at Swan. (Live) (2:20)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (0:30)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:00)
2:30 p.m. ESPN SportsNation (Live) (1:00)
3:00 p.m. ESPN2 NBA: The Jump (0:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Phi. at Min. (2:00)
GOLF CHAMPS Golf Final Round Charles Schwab Cup Championship. (2:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)
ESPN2 Intentional Talk (Live) (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 The Fantasy Show (0:30)
NBCSN Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (0:30)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN Men in Blazers (Live) (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Michael and Jemele (1:00)
ESPN2 Around the Horn (0:30)
FSN WPT Poker Five Diamond Classic. (1:00)
GOLF Golf Central (0:30)
NBCSN Premier League Download (1:00)
5:30 p.m. ESPN2 Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
GOLF Chronicles of a Champion Golfer (0:30)
6:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Okl. at Ind. (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Vill. at Temple (Live) (2:00)
FSN The Yearbook Published by PrepSpotlight.tv 2017-18 (0:30)
GOLF Best Lessons Ever (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Live! (Live) (1:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN NCAA Basketball Dra. at Min. (1:30)
GOLF Golfing World (0:30)
7:00 p.m. GOLF ‘86: Jack’s Sixth Green Jacket (1:00)
NBCSN NHL Hockey Bos. at Det. (Live) (2:45)
7:30 p.m. (29) WFTC The P.J. Fleck Show (0:30)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 The Fantasy Show (0:30)
FSN NCAA Basketball Kenn. at Tex. Tech (Live) (2:00)
GOLF Fan Favorites: Rounds of 2017 (3:00)
8:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Cha.H. at Hou. (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 Boxing Gary Corcoran vs. Jeff Horn Top Rank. (1:00)
9:30 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter Featured (0:30)
9:45 p.m. NBCSN NHL Overtime (Live) (0:45)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
10:30 p.m. FSN The Yearbook Published by PrepSpotlight.tv 201718 (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Road to the Winter Classic (1:00)
11:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:00)
ESPN2 Baseball Tonight (Live) (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker Five Diamond Classic. (1:00)
GOLF AsianTour Golf Indonesian Masters.
Thursday, Dec. 14
8:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
NBCSN The Dan Patrick Show (3:00)
8:30 a.m. FSN The Yearbook Published by PrepSpotlight.tv 2017-18 (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN DFL Soccer Hoff. at Han. (2:00)
GOLF Morning Drive (Live) (2:00)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NCAA Basketball Dra. at Min. (1:30)
GOLF NCAA Golf Women’s Team Match Play Final Division I Championship. (2:00)
NBCSN Tractor Pulling Lucas Oil Pro League (1:00) Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
NBCSN Dirt Racing Lucas Oil Late Model Series (1:00)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 The Paul Finebaum Show (Live) (1:00)
FSN Fantasy Football Hour (1:00)
GOLF NCAA Golf Team Match Play Final Division I Championship. (2:00)
2:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (0:30)
3:00 p.m. GOLF NCAA Golf Match Play Championship East Lake Cup. (2:00)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Michael and Jemele (1:00)
ESPN2 Around the Horn (0:30)
FSN Fantasy Football Hour (1:00)
GOLF Golf Central (0:30)
5:30 p.m. ESPN2 Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
GOLF Chronicles of a Champion Golfer (0:30)
6:00 p.m. ESPN NCAA Volleyball Women’s Division I Tournament. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 H.S. Basketball (Live) (1:30)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
NBCSN Curling Round Robin Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials. (Live) (4:30)
6:30 p.m. (11) KARE Football Night in America (Live) (0:50)
FSN Wild Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
11:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Bull Riding Championship. (1:00)
GOLF AsianTour Golf Round 2 Indonesian Masters. (Live) (5:00)
11:30 p.m. ESPN2 Mike Tyson’s Greatest Hits (0:30)
Friday, Dec. 15
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Sac. at Min. (2:00)
GOLF Morning Drive (Live) (2:00)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Tor. at Min. (2:00)
GOLF Golf Junior League National Championship. (2:00)
Noon (9) KAWE Sit and Be Fit (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Michael and Jemele (1:00)
ESPN2 Around the Horn (0:30)
FSN Champions Tennis PowerShares Series Champions Cup. (2:00)
GOLF Golf Central (0:30)
5:30 p.m. ESPN2 Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
GOLF Chronicles of a Champion Golfer (0:30)
6:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Okl. at Phi. (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 30 for 30 (1:00)
GOLF Chronicles of a Champion Golfer (0:30)
6:30 p.m. GOLF Chronicles of a Champion Golfer (0:30)
7:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Football Semifinal Division I Tournament. (Live) (3:00)
7:30 p.m. FSN Three Wide Life (0:30)
NBCSN Speed Skating Short Track Olympic Trials. (Live) (1:30)
8:00 p.m. FSN AMA Supercross (3:00)
GOLF Fan Favorites: Rounds of 2017 (3:00)
SPIKE Bellator MMA (2:15)
8:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball S.A. at Hou. (Live) (2:30)
9:00 p.m. NBCSN IIHF Hockey Women’s Olympic Trials. USA vs. Can. (Live) (2:30)
TBS ELeague (2:00)
9:30 p.m. (15) KVRR KVRR Sports Extra (0:30)
10:00 p.m. (29) WFTC Vikings: Beyond the Gridiron (0:30)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
10:15 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:20)
10:30 p.m. (29) WFTC Vikings Connected (0:30)
11:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:00)
ESPN2 E:60 (1:00)
FSN Fantasy Football Hour (1:00)
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7:00 p.m. FSN NHL Hockey Tor. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
TNT NBA Basketball L.A. L. at Cle. (Live) (2:30)
USA WWE Tribute to the Troops (2:00)
7:20 p.m. (11) KARE NFL Football Den. at Ind. (Live) (3:15)
7:30 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Tx.S. at Bay. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN NCAA Studio Update (Live) (0:30)
GOLF Fan Favorites: Rounds of 2017 (3:00)
8:30 p.m. ESPN NCAA Volleyball Women’s Division I Tournament. (Live) (2:00)
9:30 p.m. ESPN2 Boxing Diego de la Hoya vs. Jose Salgado Golden Boy. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Wild Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
TNT NBA Basketball Dal. at G.S. (Live) (2:30)
10:00 p.m. FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
10:30 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (0:30)
FSN Rooster Tales (0:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 The Paul Finebaum Show (Live) (1:00)
FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)
GOLF Golf National Final Drive Chip and Putt Championship. (3:00)
1:30 p.m. FSN Midwest Outdoors Magazine (0:30)
3:00 p.m. FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN Curling Round Robin Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials. (Live) (4:30)
3:30 p.m. ESPN Highly Questionable (0:30)
ESPN2 Intentional Talk (Live) (0:30)
FSN Rooster Tales (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN Around the Horn (0:30)
ESPN2 The Fantasy Show (0:30)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF Golf Father/ Son Challenge ProAm. (1:00)
4:30 p.m. ESPN Pardon the Interruption (0:30)
ESPN2 College Football Live (Live) (0:30)
FSN Sled Head 24/7 (0:30)
11:30 a.m. (7) KCCO NCAA Basketball Syr. at Geo. (Live) (2:30)
(11) KARE EPL Soccer TOT at Man. C. (Live) (2:00)
NBCSN The Echoes: Notre Dame Awards Show (1:00)
Noon ESPN NCAA Football New Orleans Bowl. (Live) (3:30)
1:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox College Hoops Extra (Live) (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Vir.T at Ken. (Live) (2:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Edm. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Day 1 Father/ Son Challenge. (2:00)
1:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR NCAA Basketball N.D. at Ind. (Live) (2:00) (11) KARE Speed Skating Short Track Trials (Live) (1:30)
2:00 p.m. (7) KCCO Inside College Basketball (0:30)
NBCSN NCAA Basketball Ga. at Mas. (Live) (2:00)
2:30 p.m. (5) KSTP NCAA Football Las Vegas Bowl. (Live) (3:30)
(7) KCCO NCAA Basketball Cin. at UCLA (Live) (2:00)
(9) KAWE Prairie Sportsman (0:30)
3:00 p.m. (11) KARE PGA Golf Round 3 Father/ Son Challenge. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Okl. vs. Wich. (Live) (2:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football New Mexico Bowl. (Live) (3:30)
4:00 p.m. FSN Becoming Wild (0:30)
NBCSN FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Women’s Downhill (1:00)
4:30 p.m. FSN Vikings Huddle (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Football Championship Division II Tournament. (Live) (3:00)
5:30 p.m. GOLF PGA Golf Day 1 Father/ Son Challenge. (3:30)
6:00 p.m. FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
GOLF AsianTour Golf Round 3 Indonesian Masters. (Live) (3:00)
11:30 p.m. NBCSN NHL Top 10 (0:30)
Saturday, Dec. 16
8:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
8:55 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer (Live) (2:05)
9:00 a.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Huddle (0:30)
CNBC EPL Soccer SOU at Chels. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods (0:30)
9:30 a.m. FSN Midwest Outdoors Magazine (0:30)
10:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Day 1 Father/ Son Challenge. (Live) (2:00)
10:30 a.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox College Hoops Tip-Off (Live) (0:30)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
11:00 a.m. (5) KSTP NCAA Football Celebration Bowl. (Live) (3:30)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR NCAA Basketball Purd. vs. But. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Gotham Classic. L.ville vs. Mem. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Larry Smith Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Hockey NHL 100 Classic. Mtl. vs. Ott. (Live) (3:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR UFC Fight Night Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (Live) (2:00)
ESPN NCAA Football Camellia Bowl. (Live) (3:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Pho. at Min. (Live) (2:30)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Volleyball Women’s Championship Division I Tournament. (Live) (2:00)
8:40 p.m. HBO Boxing Billy Joe Saunders vs. David Lemieux HBO After Dark. (Live) (2:00)
9:00 p.m. (29) WFTC Vikings: Beyond the Gridiron (0:30)
GOLF AsianTour Golf Final Round Indonesian Masters. (Live) (5:00)
NBCSN Curling Mixed Doubles Semifinal Olympic Trials. (Live) (2:00)
9:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
9:45 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:15)
10:00 p.m. (9) KMSP FSN Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Utah at BYU (Live) (2:00)
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Sports Dec 10, 2017 to Dec 16, 2017
By Andrew Warren TV Media
By now, Thanksgiving is firmly in the rear-view mirror and both Christmas and New Year’s are visible up ahead. With three major holidays all grouped so closely together, it’s definitely a time of year when plenty of us eat a lot more than we usually do (guilty!). That also makes it the perfect time of year to check out what foods those in the culinary know get excited over.
Just in time for Christmas and New Year’s, another season of “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” arrives on Cooking Channel, with a Monday, Dec. 11, premiere, and continuing Monday nights through the holiday season and beyond. Just like in
seasons past, each episode queries Cooking Channel and Food Network personalities on a variation of the show’s titular statement. In the season premiere, the big question is: “Which foods are worth the wait?” These are the dishes that chefs will gladly wait in line for, and Alton Brown (“Iron Chef Showdown”) dishes on where he gets his favorite beef Wellington. Then, former “Worst Cooks in America” host Beau MacMillan gives the lowdown on the Phoenix, Arizona, pasta restaurant where he’ll always wait as long as it takes to get a table, and Duff Goldman (“Ace of Cakes”) fills us in on just why he’s more than happy to wait in line at a special hot chicken joint.
Next week’s episode, airing Monday, Dec. 18, is all about the
meat, and former “MasterChef” favorite Monti Carlo shares where in Los Angeles she’s discovered the best chicharron money can buy. Of course, to Iron Chef Bobby Flay (“Brunch at Bobby’s”), meat is serious business, and he reveals where to get a steak that, according to him, is the best around.
Finally, December’s final episode checks out the best foods in sunny San Diego, California, from an incredible peanut butter spread to a
juicy bacon burger, but mark your calendars: the episode airs a day early, on Sunday, Dec. 24, making way for Monday’s Christmas holiday.
When culinary pros decide to spill the beans on the best things they’ve ever eaten, it’s a good idea to take notice — and maybe even take notes. This year’s holiday season has even more reasons to chow down with “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” premiering Monday, Dec. 11, on Cooking Channel.
(11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show
TRAV Bizarre Foods: Delicious
2:00 p.m. TRAV Bizarre
When a criminal mastermind once again threatens the world, the Kingsman organization springs back into action. After Kingsman’s headquarters is destroyed in an explosive attack, surviving agents Eggsy (Egerton) and Merlin (Strong) head to the United States, where they meet up with the members of Kingsman’s American counterpart, Statesman. With the head of the planet’s farthestreaching drug cartel (Moore) threatening to cause deaths in unspeakable numbers around the globe, the surviving members of
HannaAlström,EdwardHolcroft. 2017.141 min.Action.
Detroit
This film recounts the events of Detroit’s 12th Street Riot, which shook the city in 1967 and led to the National Guard being called in. After security guard Melvin Dismukes (Boyega) bears witness to gunshots coming from the nearby Algiers Motel during the civil unrest, he accompanies the police and National Guard as they raid the building after shooting out its windows. What results is a con-
Solution on page 10.
Kingsman team up with Statesman agents Tequila (Tatum) and Whiskey (Pascal) to take her down and save the world once again.
Director:MatthewVaughn.Stars: TaronEgerton,MarkStrong,JulianneMoore,ColinFirth,Channing Tatum,PedroPascal,HalleBerry,
frontation that eventually leads to deaths, and Dismukes being charged with a crime.
Director:KathrynBigelow.Stars: JohnBoyega,WillPoulter,Algee Smith,JacobLatimore,Jason Mitchell,HannahMurray,Jack Reynor.2017.143min.Crime.
