With 2019 looming on the horizon, it’s time for retrospectives about 2018’s year in television to start pouring in. One corner of the TV world that is always worth a look is the realm of latenight talk, that distinctly North American format that shot to popularity — and eventual universality — during the second half of the 20th century. Beginning with shows like NBC’s “The Tonight Show” (launched in 1954), the late-night formula spread from network to network, evolving across many iterations and becoming a necessary staple for every major programming provider. Cable networks stepped up their late-night game in 2018. During the summer, Samantha Bee (“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee”) made headlines battling with the Trump administration over its controversial immigration policies, and the new show saw a modest rise in ratings for her trouble. In October, E! launched “Busy Tonight,” a new take on the traditional talk show hosted by actress and social media sensation Busy Philipps
(“Dawson’s Creek”). Early reception to her show has been mixed, but Philipps came out of the gate with the blessing of other hosts, cutting a promo for “Busy Tonight” that featured late-night staples such as Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, Seth Meyers, Andy Cohen and others.
Speaking of late-night staples, O’Brien is changing the formula of his show in an effort to accommodate young viewers who are routinely cutting cords and looking for more streamlined con-
spurn some of the formal trappings associated with late-night TV.
O’Brien’s goal is to trim the fat endemic to the late-night tradition in order to offer lean, incisive episodes instead of longer ones padded with filler. His plan involves downsizing to one guest per night and editing the show’s best material into a half-hour daily episode, while offering additional daily material online for people interested in seeking it out. “Conan” has generally boasted the youngest average audience of the major late-night shows, so it makes absolute sense for him to make changes that will keep those young, media-savvy audiences connected to his show.
When the subject of late-night talk shows is raised, though, what most people think of is the old standard, pioneered by the likes of Steve Allen and Johnny Carson (both of “The Tonight Show”). The formula is familiar: monologue, guests, maybe a live performance. Many of the major networks’ latenight talk shows have this blueprint in common, which makes them easy to compare and makes minor differences between hosting styles and subtle fluctuations in ratings a lot more meaningful.
If there was a 2018 winner in the late-night wars, it was probably Colbert of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
Colbert took over for David Letterman when he retired in 2015, and he began his nightly ratings battle with Jimmy Fallon, who replaced Jay Leno as host of “The Tonight Show” in 2014. In the immediate aftermath of the host switches of 2014-15, Fallon managed to hang onto Leno’s ratings lead, but in recent years, Colbert’s distinct hosting and interviewing style has eroded that lead.
Colbert started to pull ahead in 2017, when his overall viewership numbers began to regularly outdo Fallon’s on a nightly basis. At that point, Fallon still retained one notch in his belt that was arguably superior to total viewership. While “The Tonight Show” had fewer overall viewers, it retained a solid lead in the most coveted demographic: viewers aged 18 to 49. Colbert had greater overall numbers, but Fallon’s slightly smaller audience consisted of a more desirable group.
In 2018, though, buoyed by coverage of the U.S. midterm elections, Colbert finally managed to overtake Fallon within that coveted demo. Of course, the victory wasn’t complete or permanent — after the excitement of election week, Fallon’s show retook the lead it had previously clung to — but now “The Late Show” has proven it can get over the hump and will be looking to do so on a regular basis.
It’s worth noting that overall viewership numbers for both “The Late Show” and “The Tonight Show” are down compared to previous years, a symptom of the ongoing migration of viewers from traditional television to on-demand viewing and streaming through non-network sources.
The late-night television landscape is wider than it has ever been before, and a multitude of choices are available for viewers chasing different types of content. While political humor and social commentary has been dominating the current scene, it’s possible for people to find almost any combination of host and show to vibe with their taste. The next year of late-night TV will continue to respond to the expanding desires of audiences and the continued pressure that digital media is exerting on traditional TV.
The TSA just released a list of items you can and can’t take on a plane for Thanksgiving. You can take a frozen turkey, but only if it’s an emotional support frozen turkey.
This Thursday is Thanksgiving, and tomorrow Trump is pardoning a turkey. Then after the ceremony, the turkey will be sent to live on a farm upstate with Jeff Sessions.
Americans actually get to vote on which turkey Trump pardons, and I saw that the two finalists are named Peas and Carrots. When he heard they’re named after vegetables, Trump was like, “Forget it, they’re both goners.”
Soon we’ll all gather with our families, our loved ones and, if we’re lucky, people who fall into both categories.
It will be rough for people at the parade here in New York as it’s projected to be the coldest Thanksgiving since 1996. In 1996, they had to cancel the big finale, Jamiroquai and Dolly the cloned sheep’s tribute to Netscape Navigator.
Thankfully, another beloved Thanksgiving tradition is stronger than ever: arguing at the dinner table. According to a new research, Americans are more divided than ever. So I would avoid controversial subjects like politics, religion, sports, movies and how much voter ID you need to buy cereal.
As you know, Thanksgiving is Thursday, and according to an official analysis, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner is the lowest it’s been since 2010. That’s the upside. The downside is that’s literally the only thing in the world right now that’s as good as it was in 2010.
Compared to last year, people are saving an average of 22 cents a meal. You know what that means? Everyone is getting an extra half spoon of cranberry sauce.
World AIDS Day is Dec. 1, which — that is something I don’t understand — why is it that AIDS only gets a day? Sharks get a whole week!
Thanksgiving is almost upon us. I hope you are ready to fight with your family.
This year, they say the average Thanksgiving meal for 10 people is expected to cost $48.90. I don’t know where they get these estimates. The average Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people doesn’t cost $48.90. Unless you are buying your ingredients in a dumpster behind the supermarket, right?
Sunday, Dec. 23
8:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 E:60 (1:00)
FSN In-Depth Outdoors (0:30)
8:30 a.m. FSN Lindy Fish Ed. (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown (Live) (3:00)
9:55 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer TOT at Evert. From Goodison Park-- Liverpool, England (Live) (2:05)
10:00 a.m. (9) KMSP FSN Vikings
GameDay Live (Live) (1:00)
(15) KVRR (29) WFTC NFL Kickoff (Live) (1:00)
(23) WUCW The Meatsauce and Monty Show (0:30)
11:00 a.m. (7) KCCO The NFL Today (Live) (1:00)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR Fox NFL Sunday (Live) (1:00)
FSN Focused (0:30)
11:30 a.m. FSN Xterra Adventures (0:30)
Noon (7) KCCO NFL Football Hou. at Phi. From Lincoln Financial Field-Philadelphia, Pa. (Live) (3:25)
(9) KMSP (15) KVRR NFL Football Min. at Det. From Ford Field-- Detroit, Mich. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN Best Shot (1:00)
ESPN2 STIHL Timbersports (1:00)
FSN NCAA Basketball Semifinal Las Vegas Classic. N. Mex.St. vs. Dra. From Orleans Arena-- Las Vegas, Nev. (2:00)
NBCSN Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (1:00)
1:00 p.m. ESPN Best Shot (1:00)
ESPN2 STIHL Timbersports (1:00)
NBCSN RFU Rugby English Premiership. Bath vs. L.W. (2:00)
1:30 p.m. (11) KARE FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom (2:00)
2:00 p.m. ESPN Best Shot (1:00)
ESPN2 STIHL Timbersports (1:00)
FSN UFC Unleashed (1:00)
3:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR The OT (Live) (0:30)
(29) WFTC Whacked Out Sports (0:30)
ESPN Best Shot (1:00)
ESPN2 SEC Storied (0:30)
FSN UFC Main Event (0:30)
3:25 p.m. (7) KCCO NFL Football Pit. at N.O. From Mercedes-Benz Superdome-New Orleans, La. (Live) (3:05)
3:30 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR (29)
WFTC PBA Bowling Lake Wales, Fla. (1:30)
(11) KARE Valentino Dixon Special (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Semifinal Diamond Head Classic. From Stan Sheriff Center-- Honolulu, Hawaii (Live) (2:00)
FSN UFC’s Greatest Fights (0:30)
4:00 p.m. (11) KARE PGA Tour Year in Review (1:00)
ESPN Best Shot (1:00)
FSN Snow Motion (0:30)
NBCSN Fort Lauderdale Boat Show (1:00)
4:30 p.m. FSN Xterra Adventures (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN FIA Auto Racing Formula E Championship Ad Diriyah E-Prix. Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (1:00)
NBCSN The National Dog Show (2:00)
6:00 p.m. (11) KARE Football Night in America (Live) (1:20)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 ESPN The Magazine (1:00)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Okl. From Chesapeake Energy Arena-- Oklahoma City, Okla. (Live) (2:30)
NBCSN The National Dog Show (2:00)
7:20 p.m. (11) KARE NFL Football Kan. at Sea. From CenturyLink Field-- Seattle, Wash. (Live) (3:10)
7:30 p.m. ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
8:00 p.m. ESPN Poker World Series. (1:00)
ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
8:30 p.m. ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
9:00 p.m. ESPN Poker World Series. (1:00)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Semifinal Diamond Head Classic. From Stan Sheriff Center-- Honolulu, Hawaii (Live) (2:00)
NBCSN The National Dog Show (2:00)
9:30 p.m. (23) WUCW Whitetail Properties (0:30)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Sled Head 24/7 (0:30)
10:30 p.m. (9) KMSP Fox 9 Sports Now (0:30)
(15) KVRR NFL Game Day Prime (1:00)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
11:00 p.m. (9) KMSP NFL Game Day Prime (1:00)
ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:00)
ESPN2 SEC Storied (0:30)
FSN WPT Poker Borgata Open. (1:00)
NBCSN The National Dog Show (2:00)
11:30 p.m. (5) KSTP In Depth With Graham Bensinger (0:30) (15) KVRR Vikings Connected (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Football Bahamas Bowl. Fla. Int. vs. Tol. From Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium-- Nassau, Bahamas (2:00)
Monday, Dec. 24
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (0:30)
8:30 a.m. FSN Sled Head 24/7 (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer M’Glad. at Dor. From Signal Iduna Park-- Dortmund, Germany (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Okl. From Chesapeake Energy Arena-- Oklahoma City, Okla. (2:00)
11:30 a.m. (9) KAWE Yoga in Practice (0:30)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN NBA: The Jump (Live) (1:30)
ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby (0:30)
FSN In the Spotlight (0:30)
1:30 p.m. ESPN2 E:60 (1:00)
FSN Focused (0:30)
4:30 p.m. GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN Monday Night Countdown (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
5:30 p.m. FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 Basketball: A Love Story (2:00)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 Basketball: A Love Story (2:00)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
Tuesday, Dec. 25
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
8:30 a.m. FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer Bre. at Leip. From Red Bull Arena Leipzig-- Leipzig, Germany (2:00)
1:35 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
2:00 p.m. (5) KSTP NBA Basketball Okl. at Hou. From Toyota Center-Houston, Texas (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 30 for 30 (1:30)
FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
3:00 p.m. FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
3:05 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN2 30 for 30 (1:30)
4:00 p.m. FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
4:05 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter Special (0:55)
4:30 p.m. (5) KSTP NBA Basketball Phi. at Bos. From TD Garden-- Boston, Mass. (Live) (2:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 30 for 30 (2:00)
FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
7:00 p.m. (5) KSTP ESPN NBA Basketball L.A. L. at G.S. From Oracle Arena-- Oakland, Calif. (Live) (2:30)
ESPN2 30 for 30 (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
The all-new Jetta raises the bar in the compact sedan class, with bold design, innovative technology features, and a transferable, 6-year/72,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty!
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:30)
2:00 p.m. FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
2:15 p.m. HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1:00)
2:30 p.m. ESPN NFL PrimeTime (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 SportsCenter Special (1:00)
FSN Vikings Huddle (0:30)
3:00 p.m. FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Okl. From Chesapeake Energy Arena-Oklahoma City, Okla. (2:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:30)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
ESPN2 NBA: The Jump (1:30)
4:00 p.m. NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
7:00 p.m. ESPN Monday Night Kickoff (Live) (0:15)
FSN UFC UFC Fight Night 53 Gunnar Nelson vs. Rick Story From Ericsson Globe Arena-- Stockholm, Sweden (2:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
USA WWE Monday Night Raw (3:00)
7:15 p.m. ESPN NFL Football Den. at Oak. From Oakland Alameda Coliseum-Oakland, Calif. (Live) (3:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 Basketball: A Love Story (2:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
9:00 p.m. FSN UFC Countdown (1:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
NBCSN Poker Masters. (1:00)
10:00 a.m. ESPN NBA Countdown (Live) (1:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Mil. at N.Y. From Madison Square Garden-New York City, N.Y. (Live) (2:35)
ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Vikings Huddle (0:30)
11:30 a.m. FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
Noon ESPN2 30 for 30 (2:00)
FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
1:00 p.m. FSN WPT Poker King of the Club. (1:00)
GOLF Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1:00)
1:30 p.m. (5) KSTP NBA Countdown (Live) (0:30)
USA WWE Super Smackdown (2:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Championship Diamond Head Classic. From Stan Sheriff Center-- Honolulu, Hawaii (Live) (2:00)
FSN Champions Tennis QQQ Series Champions Challenge. Orlando, Fla. (2:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
SHOW Inside the NFL (1:00)
9:00 p.m. GOLF Feherty (1:00)
9:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Por. at Utah From Vivint Smart Home Arena-Salt Lake City, Utah (Live) (2:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN UFC Countdown (1:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
10:45 p.m. SHOW Inside the NFL (1:00)
11:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN FIA Auto Racing Formula E Championship Ad Diriyah E-Prix. Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (1:00)
GOLF Feherty (1:00)
Wednesday, Dec. 26
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
8:30 a.m. FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:25)
8:55 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer NEW at Liverp’l From Anfield-- Liverpool, England (Live) (2:05)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer B. Muni. at Fran. From Commerzbank-Arena-- Frankfurt, Germany (2:00)
GOLF Golf World Long Drive Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash. From Atlantic City Country Club-- Northfield, N.J. (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:30)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN FIA Auto Racing Formula E Championship Ad Diriyah E-Prix. Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (1:00)
GOLF Golf World Long Drive Tennessee Big Shots. From Cattails at MeadowView Golf Course-- Kingsport, Tenn. (2:00)
11:10 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer ARS at B&H From Falmer Stadium-- Brighton, England (Live) (2:05)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
FSN Formula E: Street Racers (0:30)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football First Responder Bowl. Bos. vs. Boi. St. From Cotton Bowl-- Dallas, Texas (Live) (3:30)
FSN In the Spotlight (0:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
FSN Champions Tennis QQQ Series Champions Challenge. Orlando, Fla. (2:00)
GOLF Golf Open and Masters Division World Long Drive Championship. From WinStar World Casino and Resort-Thackerville, Okla. (2:00)
1:15 p.m. NBCSN Premier League Live (Live) (0:10)
1:25 p.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer CHE at WAT From Vicarage Road-- Watford, England (Live) (2:05)
3:00 p.m. FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
GOLF Golf Men’s and Women’s Final World Long Drive Championship. From WinStar World Casino and Resort-Thackerville, Okla. (2:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN2 Highly Questionable (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:15)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:00)
FSN Vikings Huddle (0:30)
4:15 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football Quick Lane Bowl. Min. vs. Ga.T. From Ford Field-- Detroit, Mich. (Live) (3:30)
4:30 p.m. FSN The Yearbook Published by PrepSpotlight.tv (0:30)
NBCSN Men in Blazers (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker Borgata Open. (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Tournament of Champions. From Plantation Course-- Kapalua, Hawaii (3:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 Boxing Classics Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Zab Judah. April 8, 2006 (1:00)
FSN Focused (0:30)
NBCSN Premier League World (1:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. ESPN2 Boxing Classics Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Arturo Gatti. June 25, 2005 (1:00)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Chi. From United Center-- Chicago, Ill. (Live) (2:30)
NBCSN Match of the Day (2:00)
7:45 p.m. ESPN College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:15)
8:00 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football CheezIt Bowl. TCU vs. Cal. From Chase Field-Phoenix, Ariz. (Live) (3:30)
ESPN2 Boxing Classics Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao. May 2, 2015 (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Farmers Insurance Open. From Torrey Pines Golf Course-- San Diego, Calif. (3:00)
9:00 p.m. ESPN2 Boxing Classics Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson. February 10, 1990 From Tokyo Dome-- Tokyo, Japan (1:00)
9:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
10:30 p.m. FSN #VikingsConnected (0:30)
11:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (0:30)
FSN WPT Poker Borgata Open. (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Phoenix Open. From TPC Scottsdale-- Scottsdale, Ariz. (3:00)
Thursday, Dec. 27
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round The Honda Classic. From PGA National Champion Course-- Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (3:00)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN DFL Soccer Mai. at Hoff. From Rhein-Neckar-Arena-- Sinsheim, Germany (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (2:00)
FSN NBA Basketball United Center-- Chicago, Ill. (2:00)
GOLF Golf Final Round WGC: Mexico Championship. From Club de Golf Chapultepec-- Mexico City, Mexico (4:00)
Noon (9) KAWE Classical Stretch: By Essentrics (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football Independence Bowl. Temple vs. Duke From Independence Stadium-Shreveport, La. (Live) (3:30)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
NBCSN Premier League Live (Live) (0:55)
1:30 p.m. FSN Becoming Wild (0:30)
1:55 p.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer WHU at SOU From St. Mary’s Stadium-Southhampton, England (Live) (2:05)
3:00 p.m. ESPN2 Outside the Lines (0:30)
FSN NBA Basketball Min. at Chi. From United Center-- Chicago, Ill. (2:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Valspar Championship. From Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club-- Palm Harbor, Fla. (3:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN2 Jalen & Jacoby (0:30)
HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (1:00)
4:00 p.m. ESPN College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:15)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:00)
NBCSN Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (0:30)
4:15 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football Pinstripe Bowl. Wis. vs. Mia. From Yankee Stadium-- Bronx, N.Y. (Live) (3:30)
4:30 p.m. NBCSN NHL Road to the Winter Classic (0:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 Cornhole Southern College Championship. (2:00)
FSN Rooster Tales (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Arnold Palmer Invitational. From Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge-- Orlando, Fla. (3:00)
6:30 p.m. FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN NHL Hockey Pha. at T.B. From Amalie Arena-- Tampa, Fla. (Live) (2:45)
7:00 p.m. FSN Wild Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
TNT NBA Basketball Bos. at Hou. From Toyota Center-- Houston, Texas (Live) (2:30)
7:30 p.m. FSN NHL Hockey Min. at Chi. From United Center-- Chicago, Ill. (Live) (2:30)
7:45 p.m. ESPN College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:15)
FSN Wild Live Post-game (0:30)
8:30 a.m. FSN Becoming Wild (0:30)
9:00 a.m. ESPN First Take (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Get Up! (2:00)
FSN NCAA Basketball UMKC at Crei. From CHI Health Center-- Omaha, Neb. (2:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Wells Fargo Championship. From Quail Hollow Club-- Charlotte, N.C. (2:00)
11:00 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter (1:00)
ESPN2 First Take (1:30)
FSN NHL Hockey Min. at Chi. From United Center-- Chicago, Ill. (2:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round The Players Championship. From TPC Sawgrass-- Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (4:00)
NBCSN FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Downhill Bormio, Italy (1:00)
Noon (9) KAWE Sit and Be Fit (0:30)
ESPN Outside the Lines (Live) (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Fort Worth Invitational. From Colonial Country Club-- Fort Worth, Texas (2:00)
5:30 p.m. FSN Sled Head 24/7 (0:30)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball UIC vs. Wri. From Nutter Center-- Dayton, Ohio (Live) (2:00)
FSN Three Wide Life (0:30)
6:30 p.m. FSN Wolves Live Pre-game (Live) (0:30)
7:00 p.m. FSN NBA Basketball Atl. at Min. From Target Center-- Minneapolis, Minn. (Live) (2:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round The Memorial Tournament. From Muirfield Village Golf Club-- Dublin, Ohio (3:00)
7:45 p.m. ESPN College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:15)
8:00 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football Alamo Bowl. Iowa vs. Wash.St. From Alamodome-- San Antonio, Texas (Live) (3:30)
ESPN2 ESPN The Magazine (1:00)
8:30 p.m. (29) WFTC Vikings Connected (0:30)
9:00 p.m. ESPN2 Outback Bowl Preview (0:30)
9:30 p.m. (15) KVRR KVRR Sports Extra (0:30)
ESPN2 NFL’s Greatest Games (0:30)
FSN Wolves Live Post-game (Live) (0:30)
10:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
FSN Wolves Weekly (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round St. Jude Classic. From TPC Southwind-- Memphis, Tenn. (2:00)
11:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (0:30)
FSN WPT Poker Borgata Open. (1:00)
11:30 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Football Texas Bowl. Bay. vs. Vander. From NRG Stadium-Houston, Texas (2:30)
Saturday, Dec. 29
8:00 a.m. ESPN College GameDay (Live) (3:00)
Noon FSN NCAA Basketball Wis. at Min. From Williams Arena-- Minneapolis, Minn. (1:30)
GOLF Golf Final Round WGC: Bridgestone Invitational. From Firestone Country Club-- Akron, Ohio (4:00)
1:00 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Ken. at L.ville From KFC Yum Center-Louisville, Ky. (Live) (2:00)
1:30 p.m. (11) KARE Premier League Goal Zone (Live) (1:00)
NBCSN FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Super G Bormio, Italy (1:00)
2:30 p.m. (5) KSTP World of X Games (1:00)
NBCSN NCAA Basketball G. South. at Dayt. From University of Dayton Arena-Dayton, Ohio (Live) (2:00)
3:00 p.m. (11) KARE Winter Dew Tour Breckenridge, Colo. (1:00)
FSN NHL Hockey Min. at Wpg. From Bell MTS Place-- Winnipeg, Man. (Live) (2:30)
3:10 p.m. ESPN ESPN2 NCAA Football Cotton Bowl Classic. Clem. vs. N.D. From AT&T Stadium-- Arlington, Texas (Live) (3:30)
4:00 p.m. (11) KARE FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Super Giant Slalom Bormio, Italy (Live) (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Barracuda Championship. From Montreux Golf and Country Club-- Reno, Nev. (2:00)
6:00 p.m. FSN Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Wyndham Championship. From Sedgefield Country Club-- Greensboro, N.C. (2:00)
6:40 p.m. ESPN College Football Bowl (Live) (0:20)
ESPN2 College Football Bowl Game
Pre/ Post Studio (Live) (0:20)
7:00 p.m. ESPN College Football Bowl (Live) (0:10)
ESPN2 College Football Bowl Game
Pre/ Post Studio (Live) (0:10)
FSN Pro Football Weekly (0:30)
NBCSN AMA Supercross (1:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football Texas Bowl. Bay. vs. Vander. From NRG Stadium-- Houston, Texas (Live) (3:30)
ESPN2 Dodgeball World Cup. From Madison Square Garden-- New York City, N.Y. (2:00)
9:00 p.m. GOLF Golf Final WGC: Match Play. From Austin Country Club-- Austin, Texas (2:00)
9:15 p.m. NBCSN NHL Overtime (Live) (0:45)
9:30 p.m. TNT NBA Basketball Phi. at Utah From Vivint Smart Home Arena-Salt Lake City, Utah (Live) (2:30)
10:30 p.m. FSN Becoming Wild (0:30)
11:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (0:30)
FSN WPT Poker Borgata Open. (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. From Corales Golf Club-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (2:00)
11:30 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter (0:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Football Independence Bowl. Temple vs. Duke From Independence Stadium-- Shreveport, La. (2:30)
Friday, Dec. 28
8:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
12:30 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football Music City Bowl. Purd. vs. Aub. From Nissan Stadium-- Nashville, Tenn. (Live) (3:30)
ESPN2 NFL Live (Live) (1:30)
2:00 p.m. ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
2:30 p.m. ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
FSN In-Depth Outdoors (0:30)
3:00 p.m. ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
FSN Due North Outdoors (0:30)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Byron Nelson. From Trinity Forest Golf Club-Dallas, Texas (2:00)
3:30 p.m. ESPN2 Road to the College Football Playoff (0:30)
FSN Snow Motion (0:30)
4:00 p.m. ESPN College Football Scoreboard (Live) (0:15)
ESPN2 NFL Live (1:00)
FSN PBA Bowling PBA Clash. (1:30)
4:15 p.m. ESPN NCAA Football Camping World Bowl. Syr. vs. W.Va. From Camping World Stadium-- Orlando, Fla. (Live) (3:30)
5:00 p.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Barbasol Championship. From Keene Trace Golf Club-- Nicholasville, Ky. (2:00)
8:55 a.m. NBCSN EPL Soccer Wol. at TOT From Wembley Stadium-- London, England (Live) (2:05)
10:00 a.m. ESPN2 SportsCenter (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Canadian Open. From Glen Abbey Golf Club-Oakville, Ont. (2:00)
10:30 a.m. FSN Made for the Outdoors (0:30)
11:00 a.m. (5) KSTP NCAA Football Belk Bowl. S.C. vs. Vir. From Bank of America Stadium-- Charlotte, N.C. (Live) (3:30)
ESPN NCAA Football Peach Bowl. Fla. vs. Mich. From Mercedes-Benz Stadium-Atlanta, Ga. (Live) (3:30)
ESPN2 NCAA Basketball Dav. at UNC From Dean E. Smith Center-- Chapel Hill, N.C. (Live) (2:00)
FSN Larry Smith Outdoors (0:30)
NBCSN Premier League Mornings (Live) (0:30)
11:30 a.m. (11) KARE EPL Soccer ARS at Liverp’l From Anfield-- Liverpool, England (Live) (2:00)
FSN Lindy Fish Ed. (0:30)
NBCSN RFU Rugby English Premiership. L.W. vs. Har. (2:00)
7:10 p.m. ESPN ESPN2 NCAA Football Orange Bowl. Ala. vs. Okl. From Hard Rock Stadium-- Miami Gardens, Fla. (Live) (3:30)
7:30 p.m. FSN NCAA Basketball St.J. at Set. Hall From Prudential Center-Newark, N.J. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. GOLF PGA Golf Final Round The Northern Trust. From Ridgewood Country Club-- Paramus, N.J. (3:00)
10:00 p.m. (9) KMSP FSN Vikings Game Plan (0:30)
10:30 p.m. (9) KMSP Vikings Connected (0:30)
10:40 p.m. ESPN College Football Bowl (Live) (0:10)
ESPN2 College Football Bowl Game
Pre/ Post Studio (Live) (0:10)
10:50 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter With Scott Van Pelt (1:10)
11:00 p.m. (23) WUCW Ring of Honor Wrestling (1:00)
FSN WPT Poker Borgata Open. (1:00)
GOLF PGA Golf Final Round Dell Technologies Championship. From TPC Boston-- Norton, Mass. (3:00)
11:50 p.m. ESPN2 NCAA Football Camping World Bowl. W.Va. vs. Syr. From Camping World Stadium-- Orlando, Fla. (2:10)
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Sports Dec 23, 2018 to Dec 29, 2018
N o surprise here: our society is one that loves to eat meat. Flavorful chicken, rich beef, falloff-the-bone pork and the ocean’s delicious bounty are foods that have places of honor on our tables, but we all know that most of us should eat a little less meat — it’s good for the environment and it’s good for our bodies, too.
Well, the latest episode of “Guy’s Grocery Games” is going meatless. Contestants cook through three vegetable-inspired rounds as they try to beat out the competition and prove that greens and beans can be just as delicious as their meatier counterparts in a new episode airing Wednesday, Dec. 26, on Food Network.
In the first round of the competition, host Guy Fieri gives the competing chefs a list of ingredients that their dishes must feature. Then, in the second round, the chefs spin a wheel that randomly gives each of them a meat dish that they must make vegetarian. Finally, Guy gets tricky in the final round and takes away the remaining competitors’ shopping carts before sending them out to shop for the ingredients needed to make their guilty pleasure dishes.
“Guy’s Grocery Games” is similar to other cooking competition shows, with a chef getting the ax after each round once the judges have had a chance to taste and evaluate all of the dishes. The contest is held inside of a supermarket, and the competitors are
required to “shop” for their own ingredients from the store’s shelves, and all sorts of twists tie into the unique milieu.
The judges that Guy has brought in to taste this week’s meatless meals are a who’s who of Food Network celebrity chefs. There’s a pair of “Food Network Star” winners in Damaris Phillip (“Southern at Heart”) and Aarti Sequeira (“Aarti Party”), along with frequent
judge and “Top Chef: All-Stars” winner Richard Blais. Veggies don’t have to be boring, and with those three discerning judges ready to taste everything on the plate, the contestants in this week’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” have to pack as much punch into their dishes as they can. Catch the meatless episode when it airs Wednesday, Dec. 26, on Food Network.
Sunday, Dec. 23
Noon (8) WDSE Around the Farm Table It’s time for yoga in the barn, followed by a vegetable strata with Inga’s farmer friends.
1:00 p.m. (9) KAWE New Scandinavian Cooking Niklas meets up with locals & goes diving for scallops before making his favorite salmon.
Monday, Dec. 24
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.
7:00 p.m. (9) KMSP (15) KVRR MasterChef Junior: Celebrity Showdown This special tests the culinary skills of the celebrity competitors.
Tuesday, Dec. 25
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.
Wednesday, Dec. 26
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.
Thursday, Dec. 27
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.
Friday, Dec. 28
12:30 p.m. (9) KAWE Food Over 50 Dietician Elizabeth Kelsey explains the difference between healthy and empty calories.
1:00 p.m. (11) KARE The Rachael Ray Show Viewers are presented with great recipes and simple solutions for everyday issues.
Saturday, Dec. 29
6:00 a.m. TRAV Food Paradise This food tour heads to eateries for handheld food, with no bowls, plates or utensils.
7:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Wisconsin Foodie
7:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Taste of Malaysia
With Martin Yan Kelantan’s Siti Kadijah market is explored by Martin; a shadow puppetry show captivates. (N)
8:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Simply Ming
A&E Scraps: Parts Uneaten Joel and Sally Hiebert work with unusual scraps: squash guts and whey. (N)
TRAV Best Places to Pig Out Our countdown leads up to a massive cheeseburger that enters the hall of fame. (N)
8:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Moveable Feast
With Fine Cooking Pete Evans is joined by two chef-authors with US roots in the port city of Livorno.
9:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Martha Bakes Martha updates three favorites with more wholesome pantry ingredients.
TRAV The Zimmern List Andrew heads to St. Louis to get his fill of comfort food. (N)
9:30 a.m. (2) KTCA How to Cook Well
With Rory O’Connell Chef Rory O’Connell prepares grilled pork chops and pork burgers.
TRAV The Zimmern List Andrew travels to Houston, one of the most dynamic and underrated food scenes. (N)
10:00 a.m. (2) KTCA Joanne Weir’s Plates and Places
TRAV Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations In the city of love, Andrew Zimmern explores the delicious delicacies of Paris, France.
10:30 a.m. (2) KTCA New Orleans Cooking With Kevin Belton Red Cabbage; Beef Rouladen; Potato Pancakes.
11:30 a.m. (2) KTCA Lidia’s Kitchen Spicy Italian soup and butternut squash soup are prepared. (N)
Noon (2) KTCA Sara’s Weeknight Meals Sara travels to Turkey to discover Turkish home cooking.
(9) KAWE America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Dan Souza grills spiced chicken drumsticks and Adam Reid shares his baking peel pick.
12:30 p.m. (2) KTCA America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated Hosts Bridget and Julia prepare the ultimate chewy oatmeal cookies in the test kitchen.
1:00 p.m. (2) KTCA Nigella: At My Table Nigella makes dishes perfect for entertaining, including beef and aubergine fatteh.
1:30 p.m. (2) KTCA Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street The team learns how to elevate simple chicken recipes by using flavors from the world. (N)
2:30 p.m. (8) WDSE Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street A bright red piri piri chicken is packed with heat; Cape Malay chicken curry is also made.
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN: Food Dec 23, 2018 to Dec 29, 2018
Heartwood is a vibrant senior living community with lifestyle options, services and amenities that give you the freedom to live well. At Heartwood, your home embraces the beauty of its scenic surroundings and extends well beyond your front door.
Grand Lodge & Community Highlights:
• Beautiful log-cabin style architecture
• Just blocks from the Cuyuna Lakes Bike Trail
• General Store
• On-site barber and beauty shop
• Work out center
• Restaurant-style dining and deli
• Meditation chapel
• Library/computer lab
• Billiards room
• Lounge
• Guest suites and private family dining
• Conference center
• Located on the
