Entertainment Now December 22 – 28, 2024 by Community Source

Will Ferrell stars in “Elf”

Cover Story

By Dana Simpson

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for many — a time to shirk all that has been keeping you busy during the day-today and instead wake up to a home drenched in twinkly lights and take a deep, Proustian whiff of baking cookies while curling up in a cozy armchair with a hot cup of cocoa. And whether you are wholeheartedly prepared to submit to the comfort of the season — or if you lead a more active, stressful lifestyle — cable television has all the classics lined up to make you feel like a kid again this Christmas Eve. Beginning with the modern holiday fairytale “Elf” (2003) on AMC, be sure to pop over to ABC later in the day for the 1990 Christmas classic “Home Alone.” Later, learn how angels get their wings with “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) on NBC, or try your hand at some trivia and games when “Celebrity Jeopardy!” and “The Price is Right at Night: Holiday Heroes” air on ABC and CBS, respectively.

Kick-start your holiday viewing on Tuesday, Dec. 24, by “pass[ing] through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gum drops” and over to AMC for director Jon Favreau’s (“Chef,” 2014) family-favorite film “Elf.” “Elf” stars “Saturday Night Live” alum Will Ferrell as the titular elf, Buddy, who grew up at the North Pole as one of Santa’s (Edward Asner, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”) elves. When Buddy learns he is actually a human adopted into an elf family, he sets out to learn about his past, leading him to his father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan, “Misery,” 1990), in New York City. What Buddy wasn’t prepared for, however, was for his father to be on Santa’s Naughty List. After “spread[ing] Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear,” switch over to ABC for some home safety dos and don’ts with crafty kid Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin,

“My Girl,” 1991) in the original “Home Alone.”

During a hectic night before a big family trip to Paris, Kevin is sent to the attic bedroom by his parents to reflect on his poor behavior at the dinner table. Begrudgingly wishing he didn’t have a family to push him around, Kevin awakens the following morning to find his family has left for France without him. At first confused and upset, Kevin soon realizes that his Christmas wish has been granted. But when a pair of burglars show up to rob the McCallister house while they’re on vacation, Kevin finds himself at the helm of a series of contraptions meant to protect himself and the family home. Likewise, the burglars find they are in for their toughest job yet. Next up on television’s Nice List this Christmas Eve is 1946’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring James Stewart (“Vertigo,” 1958) as crisis-bound Bedford Falls banker George Bailey. Follow along from an omniscient perspective as Bailey

Kick-start your holiday viewing with “Elf” (2003), Tuesday, Dec. 24, on AMC, before seeing “Home Alone” (1990) on ABC and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) on NBC.

Christmas on cable: ‘Elf,’ ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Wonderful Life’ make TV’s Nice List

grows from a young, hopeful graduate into a dutiful husband and father of four during World War II. As a Good Samaritan and the new owner/operator of Bailey Bros. Building and Loan, George feels the hectic world around him would be better if he had simply never existed. As his despair grows, an angel (Henry Travers, “The Invisible Man,” 1933) arrives on Earth to show him just how different the lives of his loved ones would be without him.

For some holiday viewing that is a bit lighter on sentiment, gather friends and family and turn the TV over to ABC to play along with a rebroadcast of “Celebrity Jeopardy!,” starring Macaulay Culkin. Afterward, tackle an episode of “The Price Is Right at Night: Holiday Heroes,” airing on CBS.

Plenty of holiday viewing awaits this week, so grab the blankets, huddle up with those closest to you and enjoy the multi-network entertainment. Happy Holidays, one and all!

What’s Available NOW On

“200% Wolf” (Dec. 26)

“Darby and Joan” — Season 2 (Acorn TV — Dec. 30, Season Premiere) Season 2 of this mystery drama picks up with retired Australian detective Jack Darby (Bryan Brown) and English widowed nurse Joan Kirkhope (Greta Scacchi) a year after their lives collided on an outback road, having now forged a deep friendship amid shared investigative adventures. But, Jack’s story has only just begun — he’s determined to clear his name of the unexplained cloud hanging over his career. As Joan insists on helping Jack with his quest, they travel through Queensland’s picturesque landscapes, solving mysteries along the way.

“What If…?” — Season 3 (Dec. 22) The third and final season wraps up this journey through the vast multiverse, introducing brand-new and familiar faces throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The animated anthology series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles.

“Doctor Who: Joy to the World” (Dec. 25) When Joy (Nicola Coughlan) checks into a London hotel in 2024, she opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel — discovering danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa). A deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas, and it’s up to the unexpected duo to set things right.

A follow up to “100% Wolf,” this animated family film follows Freddy Lupin (Ilai Swindells) thinks he has everything it takes to lead his werewolf pack but earning the respect of his packmates proves to be a challenge. If only he were more…. Wolfish. When a wayward wish transforms him into a werewolf and deposits a mischievous moon spirit on earth, Freddy must restore the cosmic order before it’s too late.

“The Equalizer 2” (Dec. 25) Denzel Washington returns to one of his signature roles in the first sequel of his career. Robert McCall (Washington) serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed — but how far will he go when it is someone he loves? Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Orson Bean, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Jonathan Scarfe and Sakina Jaffrey also star.

“Dunk the Halls” (Dec. 25) Disney, ESPN and the NBA are teaming up to present the first real-time animated NBA game using Sony’s Beyond Sports technology. Streaming on Christmas Day, the special sees the New York Knicks — led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns — host the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul at a virtual Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.

“Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” (Dec. 25) Disney’s annual Christmas Day celebration returns beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET with its traditional parade, endearing stories, and magical celebrity performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

“Full Metal Jousting”Season 1 (Dec. 26)

In this 2012 reality competition series, Maverick fighters compete in a dangerous jousting competition. Two mounted competitors charge at each other at 30 mph, wearing state-of-the-art gear instead of traditional armor. Weekly trials determine the champion-king of the joust.

“Your Fault” (“Culpa Tuya”) (Dec. 27)

The love between Noah (Nicole Wallace) and Nick (Gabriel Guevara) seems unbreakable, despite their parents’ attempts to break them up. But, his job and her entry into college open their lives to new relationships. The appearance of a revenge-seeking ex-girlfriend and Nick’s mother with unclear intentions will shake the foundations not only of their relationship, but of the Leister family itself.

“Alice, Darling” (Dec. 28)

Anna Kendrick stars in this thriller as Alice, a woman pushed to the breaking point by her psychologically abusive boyfriend, Simon (Charlie Carrick). While on vacation with two close girlfriends, Alice rediscovers the essence of herself and gains some much-needed perspective. Slowly, she starts to fray the cords of codependency that bind her.

“When You Finish Saving the World” (Dec. 27) Evelyn (Julianne Moore) has devoted herself to helping people in hard times, but she struggles to connect with her son Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard), an aspiring internet star oblivious to the problems of the world. This emotional comedy reveals a funny and sharply perceptive portrait of a mother and son who may seem at odds but who are more alike than either would care to admit.

“NFL on Christmas: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers” (Dec. 25) In a first-of-its-kind live event, Netflix hosts the NFL’s two Christmas Day marquee games. First up, the Super Bowl LVII-winning Kansas City Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 pm ET.

“Polo” (Available Now)

From executive producers Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, comes an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fastpaced and glamorous world of Polo. Over five episodes, the documentary series follows elite global players on and off the field as they compete in the high-stakes U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.

“Amber Alert” (Dec. 28) A rideshare becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse when Jaq (Hayden Panettiere) and Shane (Tyler James Williams) receive an Amber Alert on their phones. When they spot the kidnapper’s car with the girl in the back seat, they desperately race against time to save her before it’s too late.

“Murder on the Orient Express” (Available Now) Based on the book by Agatha Christie, this movie sees a lavish trip through Europe quickly unfold into a race against time to solve a murder aboard a train. When an avalanche stops the Orient Express dead in its tracks, the world’s greatest detective — Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) — arrives to interrogate all passengers and search for clues before the killer can strike again.

“NFL on Christmas: Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans” (Dec. 25) Second in line for the NFL’s Christmas Day line-up, the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans at 4:30 pm ET. This game features a highly-anticipated halftime performance by global superstar Beyoncé.

if he can stay funny, he can stay alive.

“Harlan Coben’s Missing you” (Netflix — Jan. 1, Limited Series Premiere) Eleven years ago, Det. Kat Donovan’s (Rosalind Eleazar) fiancé Josh (Ashley Walters) — the love of her life — disappeared and she’s never heard from him since. Now, swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again. Josh’s reappearance will force her to dive back into the mystery surrounding her father’s murder and uncover long-buried secrets from her past. This new limited series is adapted from Harlan Coben’s novel of the same name.

“Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...” (Available Now) Jamie Foxx returns to the stage to set the record straight in a comedy event that celebrates resilience, humor, and the power of community;

Sports Zone

S unday

9 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Everton vs. Chelsea. From Goodison Park in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. (Live)

11:30 a.m. GOLF Golf PNC Championship, Final Day.

From Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. (Live)

1 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Illinois vs. Missouri. From Enterprise Center in Saint Louis, Mo. (Live)

SNY Women’s College Basketball Cornell at Stony Brook. From Island FCU Arena in Stony Brook, N.Y. (Live) WIVB-4 WNYW-5 WSEE-35 NFL Football Football action from around the National Football League. (Live)

1:30 p.m. WGRZ-2 WICU-12 Golf PNC Championship, Final Day. From Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. (Live)

2:30 p.m. FS1 Horse Racing America’s Day At the Races. The best racehorses square off in the premiere races from across the country. (Live)

3 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Brown at Kansas. From Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. (Live) ESPN2 College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic: Oregon State vs. College of Charleston. First Quarterfinal. (Live)

WKBW-7 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Championship: Teams TBA. From the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. (Live)

4 p.m. WUTV-29 NFL Football Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings complete their season series against the NFC West by visiting the Seahawks. (Live)

4:25 p.m. WIVB-4 WSEE-35 NFL Football Football action from around the National Football League. (Live)

5:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic: Loyola-Chicago vs. Oakland. Second Quarterfinal. (Live)

7 p.m. FS1 College Basketball Georgetown at Seton Hall. From Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (Live)

8:15 p.m. WGRZ-2 WICU-12

NFL Football Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys host the Buccaneers for a rematch of a 2022 NFC wild-card playoff game. (Live)

9 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic: Nebraska vs. Murray State. Third Quarterfinal. (Live)

11:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic: Charlotte vs. Hawaii-Hilo. Fourth Quarterfinal. (Live)

11 a.m.

M onday

ESPN College Football Myrtle Beach Bowl: Teams TBA. From Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. (Live)

2:30 p.m. ESPN College Football Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State. From Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. (Live)

8 p.m. ESPN WKBW-7 NFL Football New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers. The Packers welcome the Saints to Lambeau Field for a Monday Night Football affair. (Live) ESPN2 College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA. From Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. (Live)

10:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA. From Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. (Live)

12:30 a.m. ESPN2 College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Second Consolation Semifinal: Teams TBA. From Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. (Live)

t ue S day

8 p.m. ESPN College Football Hawai’i Bowl: South Florida vs. San Jose State. The Spartans (7-5) make a return trip to the Hawaii Bowl for a battle with the Bulls (6-6). (Live)

W edne S day

12 p.m. ESPN ESPN2 WKBW-7 NBA Basketball San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks. From Madison Square Garden in New York. (Live)

2:30 p.m. ESPN WKBW-7 NBA Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks. From American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Live)

5 p.m. ESPN WKBW-7 NBA Basketball Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics. From TD Garden in Boston. (Live)

6:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Consolation Game: Teams TBA. From Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. (Live)

8 p.m. ESPN WKBW-7 NBA Basketball Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors. From Chase Center in San Francisco. (Live)

8:30 p.m.

ESPN2 College

Basketball Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Championship Game: Teams TBA. From Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. (Live)

10:30 p.m. ESPN WKBW-7

NBA Basketball Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns. From Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Live)

t hur S day

7:30 a.m. USA Premier League

Soccer Manchester City vs. Everton. From Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, United Kingdom. (Live)

10 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Newcastle United vs. Aston Villa. From St. James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England. (Live)

12:30 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United. From Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. (Live)

2 p.m. ESPN College Football GameAbove Sports Bowl: Teams TBA. From Ford Field in Detroit. (Live)

3 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Liverpool vs. Leicester City. From Anfield in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. (Live)

5:30 p.m. ESPN College Football Rate Bowl: Teams TBA. From Chase Field in Phoenix. (Live)

9 p.m. ESPN College Football 68 Ventures Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Bowling Green. From Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Live)

F riday

12 p.m. ESPN College Football Teams TBA. All the action from NCAA college football. (Live)

3:15 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town. From Emirates Stadium in London. (Live)

7 p.m. ESPN College Football AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Teams TBA. From Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. (Live) ESPN2 NHL Hockey Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres. From KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. (Live)

8 p.m. WNYW-5 WUTV-29 College Football DirecTV Holiday Bowl: Teams TBA. From Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. (Live)

9:30 p.m. ESPN2 NHL Hockey Colorado Avalanche at Utah Hockey Club. From Delta Center in Salt Lake City. (Live)

10:30 p.m.

ESPN College Football SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Teams TBA. From Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Live)

S aturday

11 a.m. ESPN College Football Wasabi Fenway Bowl: Teams TBA. From Fenway Park in Boston. (Live)

12 p.m. FS1 College Basketball Coppin State at Georgetown. From Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Live) WKBW-7 College Football Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Teams TBA. From Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y. (Live) WPIX-11 College Basketball Eastern Kentucky at Louisville. From the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. (Live)

2 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball Ole Miss at Memphis. From the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. (Live) FS1 College Basketball Loyola (Md.) at DePaul. From Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Live)

WIVB-4 WSEE-35 College Basketball North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T. From Corbett Sports Center in Greensboro, N.C. (Live)

WPIX-11 College Basketball Bucknell at Syracuse. From JMA Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. (Live)

2:15 p.m. ESPN College Football Isleta New Mexico Bowl: Teams TBA. From University Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M. (Live)

3:30 p.m. WKBW-7 College Football Pop-Tarts Bowl: Teams TBA. From Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Live)

4 p.m. FS1 Horse Racing America’s Day at the Races. Following all the action from the world of horse racing. (Live)

SNY College Basketball Fairfield at Columbia. From Francis S. Levien Gymnasium in New York, N.Y. (Live)

WGRZ-2 WICU-12 Swimming World Championships. Coverage from swimming competitions and events. (Live) WIVB-4 WSEE-35 College Basketball Howard at Hampton. From the Hampton Convocation Center in Hampton, Va. (Live)

4:30 p.m. WPIX-11 College Football Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Colorado State. From Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. (Live)

5:45 p.m. ESPN College Football Go Bowling Military Bowl: Teams TBA. From

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial

In Focus

“Lockerbie: A Search For Truth” (Peacock — Jan. 2, Limited Series Premiere)

On December 21, 1988, 259 passengers and crew were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie 38 minutes after take-off, with a further 11 residents losing their lives as the plane came down over the quiet, Scottish town. In the wake of the disaster and his daughter’s death, Dr. Jim Swire (Colin Firth), is nominated spokesperson for the U.K. victims’ families, who have united to demand truth and justice. Traveling across continents and political divides, Jim embarks on a relentless journey that completely overturns his trust in the justice system. Based on the true story.

“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” (Netflix — Jan. 3, Movie Premiere) Directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham return with a brand new epic adventure. Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified, when Wallace invents a “smart” gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master… or Wallace may never be able to invent again!

Time - Week of December 22 - 28, 2024

As the holidays approach, the residents and midwives of Nonnatus House begin the preparations for their favorite festive traditions. With a bad bout of influenza spreading around town and an escaped prisoner both causing tension in the convent, however, it seems harder than ever to muster up that Christmas cheer. A “Call the Midwife” holiday special airs in two parts, this Wednesday, Dec. 25, on PBS. Revisit the series’ past Christmas specials, with more available online at pbs.org/call-the-midwife/ episodes/2024-holiday-special

Hosted by Queen Latifah, this annual ceremony returns, this year honoring filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, rock band the Grateful Dead, singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt and composer Arturo Sandoval, who will win an award for his lifetime artistic achievement during “The 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors,” airing Sunday, Dec. 22, on CBS. To learn more about the stars being celebrated, visit kennedy-center.org/whats-on/honors/

BY JAY BOBBIN

‘A Christmas Story’ has its annual holiday marathon

“You’ll shoot your eye out.” Whether you’re a holiday-movie connoisseur or just a casual viewer, you likely know where that line comes from and who it’s directed toward, time and again. The richly nostalgic 1983 comedy classic “A Christmas Story” gets its traditional 24-hour marathon starting on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, on both TBS and TNT. Based on the writings of humorist Jean Shepherd, who narrates the picture, the Bob Clark-directed tale follows eager young Ralphie (a perfectly cast Peter Billingsley) through a long-ago Christmas season when he has his heart set on one very particular gift: a Red Ryder BB gun, which everyone from his mother (Melinda Dillon) to his teacher (Tedde Moore) to a department-store Santa Claus (Jeff Gillen) warns him about. For that specific warning, check the first sentence of this article again. Darren McGavin is also marvelous as Ralphie’s famously cranky father, who has classic battles with malfunctioning furnaces and wayward dogs.

“Jingle All the Way” (Hulu, streaming): Any parent who’s in the throes of finding their child’s most desired gift as the last hours before Christmas close in will empathize with the Arnold Schwarzenegger character’s plight in this 1996 comedy. He plays a salesman trying

Peter Billingsley in “A Christmas Story”

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