1) “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), 7:30 and 8 p.m., TNT, with “Oz” repeating at 10:15. Here are two of the all-time greats, proving that family-friendly tales – ones with warmth and optimism – can be done with intelligence. “Grinch” (shown here) reflects the brilliance of Dr. Seuss and animator Chuck Jones. “Oz” peppers a lively story with strong music, including the Oscar-winning “Over the Rainbow.” Read more…
1) “George & Tammy” opener, 9 p.m., Showtime and Paramount Network. In 1967, George Jones was soaring (17 top-10 country hits) and sinking (twice-divorced and deeply alcoholic). Tammy Wynette had three singles on the country charts; she had three daughters, no money and a wobbly second marriage. Showtime’s six-parter (with Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain, shown here) starts strongly, with great music and a cinematic feel. This opener is also on Paramount, right after “Yellowstone.” Read more…
It’s one of the great country-music stories, filled with love, pain, sex, addiction and triumph.
But it also seems to spiral downward. “That’s not the way it’s gotta be,” George Jones says near the end of the “George & Tammy” mini-series (shown here). “There’s a happy ending.”
Well … not really, but this six-part film does find pieces of one.
“George & Tammy” opens at 9 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 4) on Showtime and the Paramount Network (right after “Yellowstone”). Its other five episodes arrive Sundays on Showtime and Paramount+. Read more…
1) “The Amazing Race” finale, 9-10 p.m. Wednesday, CBS. The final three duos race for the million-dollar prize. There’s a Miami firefighter (Luis Colon) and his wife (Michelle Burgess), a dancer. And a couple that met in the 2021 “Big Brother” (Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss, shown here). And Emily Bushnell and Molly Sinert, adopted from Korea, who learned by accident, with DNA tests, that they are twins. They met in person this year, on their 36th birthday. Read more…
1) Football. It’s conference-championship day, peaking at 4 p.m. ET on CBS, with top-ranked Georgia (shown here) and 5th-ranked Louisiana State. At 8 p.m., it’s Michigan (No. 3) and Purdue on Fox; and Clemson (No. 8) and North Carolina (No. 17) on ABC. That’s in an ABC tripleheader, with Texas Christian (No. 4) and Kansas State (No. 12) at noon, then Tulane (No. 19) and Central Florida (No. 22) at 4. There’s more at noon and 3:30 on ESPN and 4 on Fox. Read more…
