Late Laughs

Conan

winter storm. Nurse Dyer joined the midwives during season 6, when she rose to the occasion in assisting them after an explosion. As a former Army nurse and local Poplar girl, she was keen to become a midwife to care for her community, and soon joined the others at Nonnatus.

Also starring are Charlotte Ritchie (“Siblings”), Helen George (“Hotel Babylon”) and Emerald Fennell (“Chickens”), reprising their roles in the show as the midwives of Nonnatus House. Like Agutter, George has been with the show since the beginning, and her character Trixie Franklin has taken audiences on an emotional rollercoaster. Fans have seen Franklin through devastating breakups, alcoholism and treatment, and had the pleasure of watching her create meaningful friendships with the women of Nonnatus, helped by her nosey, busybody nature.

“Call the Midwife” doesn’t just tell stories of difficult and joyous births in London’s poverty-stricken East End. The show has expanded the narrative of the series beyond the source material of author and nurse Jennifer Worth’s Midwife book trilogy to explore issues facing the community of Poplar and beyond. Over its six seasons, the series has become known for tackling touchy topics with compassion. Nonnatus House has been the framing device for stories exploring faith, poverty, prejudice, dis- the series is set in 1950s and ‘60s London, the issues addressed have just as much impact and rel- handles homosexuality and how attitudes century London affects one of the main characters on a very personal level. It is revealed that Patsy Mount’s (Fennell) close friendship with surgical nurse Delia Busby (Kate Lamb “Red Heart,” 2011) developed into a romantic relationship in season 4 of the show. The two experience the oppression of the time, forced to keep their relationship a secret from loved ones and out of the public eye. Like most tales told in “Call the Midwife,” the drama of Mount and Busby is balanced with happy endings. After being separated due to an injury, Busby returns to Mount and Nonnatus House to work as a nurse, train as a midwife and live with her girlfriend.

One of the most controversial episodes of the show tackled domestic abuse to mixed opinions from the audience upon its air date. Though the fans may have criticisms of the show, they are a driving force for creator Heidi Thomas. In an interview at BBC Showcase 2016, she recalled her nerves when the show began, saying: “I don’t think anyone was more surprised than us that we got eight million viewers on the air overnight.” She continued: “I think it’s not just the size of the audience, it’s the loyalty, the passion you get from them.” Those passionate fans have contributed to high series ratings for its entirety, keeping it enthusiastically renewed by its network and ensuring that they will receive more “Call the Midwife” for years to come, so long as showrunners have stories for the women of Nonnatus House to tell.

The stories Thomas tells through the characters of “Call the Midwife” have hit home for the writer in many ways. The series is a family affair for the creator, as her husband, actor Steven McGann (“Emmerdale”), portrays Dr. Patrick Turner in the show. McGann revealed in his autobiography that he first fell for Thomas after reading a script of hers, and the difficulty of seeing her through medical emergencies had a profound effect on the long-married couple. Following her health scare, Thomas was inspired by her experience with the diligent nurses that she encountered throughout her recovery to create “Call the Midwife” with all of the heart that has kept audiences in love with the show over six years.

Save room this Christmas for PBS’s “Call the Midwife” holiday special, airing Monday, Dec. 25.

My favorite thing about Harlem is you can buy absolutely anything from the street vendors. Anything! That’s why, after the show tonight, you’re all invited back to my hotel to watch a bootleg copy of “Bride of Chucky.”

I left New York eight years ago. Since then, there have been so many changes to this city. I was walking around today and I noticed that the Starbucks near my old apartment has been replaced by a totally different Starbucks.

The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon

The company that owns Match.com is in talks to buy Bumble for over $1 billion. But at their first meeting, Bumble had a friend call midway through in case things were going bad and they wanted to leave.

I just read that one of the least-returned holiday gifts for women is anti-aging skin cream. So if you’re thinking of buying the woman you love anti-aging skin cream — still don’t.

The Late Show With James Corden

Two photographs that went missing from the Museum of a Modern Art in New York were mailed back to the museum just a few days later by the alleged thief. Which is, you know, great for the museum. Got to be a bit of a blow to the ego of the artist. “Your photographs were so popular they were stolen! No, wait, they sent them back.”

Late Night With Seth Meyers

A Florida man is refusing to give up his “emotional support squirrel,” even though his condo association is threatening to evict him. Of course, it’s stressful times like these when the comforting embrace of a squirrel helps the most.

46 Like the Empire in “Star Wars”

47 Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister’s home

48 Get the picture

49 Stagger 50 ___ Diego

DOWN

1 Captain Kirk, these days

2 Greek theaters

3 Early late-night name

4 “Top Gun’s” (1986) top gun

5 The heads of some old “SNL” characters

6 Mystery writer John Dickson ___

18 Neighbor of Iran: Abbr.

21 “How to Murder Your Wife!” (1965) star Virna

22 Low-fat

23 “Jaws” (1975) and “From Russia with Love” (1963) star Robert 24 ___-mutuel (betting system)

25 Some pots and pans

30 Mars has two of them

31 Landers and others

32 “Agent Carter’s” Carter

33 Michigan’s ___ Canals 35 “Will & Grace” surname