This year's Christmas in Washington includes a performance by Diana Ross.
With Christmas coming next week, I figure a good number of you will be traveling over the weekend. I hope those of you who are traveling manage to miss all the bad weather and arrive safely.
News
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, The Lying Game producer Chuck Pratt teases the death of a core character. Sadly, there's no mention of a reunion between Alexandra Chando and one of her former As the World Turns co-stars.
The CW is developing a drama based on the legend of Robin Hood, except this one would focus on a noblewoman who ends up joining the Merry Men while trying to rescue her wrongfully-imprisoned serf boyfriend.
Holy sevenfourteentwenty-one thirty second delay, Batman! Bravo will be airing the second season premiere of Kathy live. She'll be joined by Liza Minnelli and Jane Lynch.
Just in time for Christmas, the CW confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that they would not be picking up a third season of The L.A. Complex, which seals the series' cancellation.
The new meme is all about why the Gossip Girl reveal made no sense. I'm always in favor of there being more images of Penn Badgley on the internet. Then again, I like the idea of re-watching Gossip Girl with the understanding that Dan is creepy and utterly bonkers.
As Amazon Prime tries to expand its streaming video content, its developing six pilots, including a comedy from Doonsbury creator Garry Trudeau about four Senators living together (inspired by the C-Street house?) Once the pilots are completed an online vote will determine which one will become a series.
EW reports that Aaron Sorkin will be a guest-voice on The Simpsons as himself. He'll appear as a voice in Kent Brockman's head as he considers a job with Fox News.
This is a sad Christmas. Sad enough to generate the amount of tears needed to salt Mexican knock-off snack foods:
The Last 30rock picture Ever!!! twitter.com/dotcom30rock/s…
— Kevin Brown(@dotcom30rock) December 20, 2012
Which TV characters inspired the most social media conversation? According to a study by Ad Age and Trendrr, the characters who get social media fans talking include The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper, The Walking Dead's Michonne and Gossip Girl's Chuck Bass. I'm shocked to hear that people still care about Chuck Bass.
Showtime is developing The Vatican, a drama about intrigue within the modern-day Catholic church. Has Bill Donohue heard about this yet? If not, can somebody catch that moment on tape? This might be as close as we get to seeing a person's head explode.
Breaking Bad toys will go on sale next year, including action figures, bobbleheads and plush toys. I'd be more excited but I'm still bitter about the time the arm fell off my Willow Rosenberg action figure when I tried to get her to wear the backpack that came as an accessory.
Friday's Listings
Anderson Live (syndicated) Check local listings
It's This is 40 day as Leslie Mann co-hosts the show and co-star Paul Rudd and director Judd Apatow are interview guests.
The Ricki Lake show (syndicated) Check local listings
Ricki looks at the different kinds of modern families, like a blended family that merged after a tragedy, and the Guncles from Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.
Days of Our Lives (NBC) Check local listings
Will and Sonny role play sitcom tropes as Sonny tries to play "I know that secret you've been keeping, so why don't you remind me of all the details". Be sure to join us for a pre-holiday liveblog starting at 1 PM Eastern.
Tavis Smiley (PBS) Check local listings
Today's show includes a chat with singer/songwriter Carole King. Tavis rarely discusses a celebrity's latest project, typically focusing on a career of achievements. With someone like King, that should make for an amazing talk.
Bowling for Columbine (Current) 6:00 PM ET
In response to the renewed debate over gun violence, Current is putting Michael Moore's 2002 gun control documentary into heavy rotation this weekend, starting early on Friday. Honestly, I was oversold on the movie by Roger Ebert's review and didn't care for it on my first screening. Perhaps the second time around, it'll work better for me.
We Love Jenni (Mun2) 8:00 PM ET
Mun2 is honoring the late Jenni Rivera with this special that reflects on Rivera's life through the eyes of the people who knew her, including celebrity testimonials from Thalia, Carson Daly, Snoop Dogg and Edward James Olmos. It sounds like a lot to fit in an hour but I guess Mun2 didn't want viewers crying too much.
Christmas in Washington (TNT) 8:00 PM ET
Conan O'Brien makes a return as host of this Christmas concert at the nation's capitol. This year, the performers include the iconic Diana Ross, Smash's Megan Hilty... and a "special performance" by K-pop rapper PSY. I hope this means we won't see the President do the "Gangnam Style" dance, the country couldn't handle that.
The Good Wife Marathon (CBS) starting at 8:00 PM ET
CBS is giving its critically-acclaimed legal drama a spotlight this weekend with three episodes from this season — wrapping up with the DOMA(ish) episode "A Defense of Marriage".
Back to the Beginning with Christiane Amanpour (ABC) 9:00 PM ET
Veteran reporter Christiane Amanpour takes a more historical approach to Christmas with this two-part special that travels to the land where the stories of the Bible would have taken place, exploring what would have inspired them. I like the idea, and I hope they can live up to that potential.
The Brit List (BBC America) 10:00 PM ET
To tide viewers over as we all wait for the new Doctor Who Christmas special, BBC America's counting down a variety of Doctor Who Top Five Lists, like Top Five Companions and Top Five Guest Stars. Past Doctor Who specials frustrated me for overlooking the Russell T. Davies era (which really limits the nostalgia) but John Barrowman is guest-hosting this Brit List, which has me hopeful Captain Jack's best moments will be included.
Saturday's Listings
A Year in Pup Culture (Animal Planet) 9:00 PM ET
Leave it to Animal Planet to take the year-end recap show and give it an extra coat of cute as puppies — yes, puppies! — recreate the year's memorable moments. This sounds like the kind of programming that inspires my partner to put a tracker on my phone so that he can make sure that I don't go anywhere close to the Humane Society or any pet adoption drives.
The Graham Norton Show (BBC America) 10:00 PM ET
This week, Graham's guests include the amazing Martin Freeman, comedian Lee Mack, Girls Aloud and the one and only Dawn French.
The Haunting of... (Biography) 10:00
This week's edition sees Gina Gershon tell the story of how she realized her apartment was haunted. We're all hoping one of those ghosts is screaming about her @#$%ing suitcase, right"
Sunday's Listings
American Dad (Fox) 9:30 PM ET
Roger and Steve's latest business venture is something involving male stripper shoes. Since I can't guess what that refers to (I mean, do they go with pull-apart pants?) I'll just have to wait, tune in and wish the product demos were filmed with live action performers.
The Shahs of Sunset (Bavo) 10:00 PMET
The tension between MJ and Reza continues as they have their first meeting since that blow-up at the office. I hate seeing longtime friendships fall apart, can't this be fixed by a shopping montage? A wacky scheme? Or just from hearing SpongeBob singing "Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)"?
DTLA Marathon (Logo) starting at starting at 2:30 AM ET
In case you missed Logo's new ensemble drama, this weekend ends with an early morning marathon of what looks like the entire series.
What will you be watching this weekend? Please share in the comments!
Monday's Preview
Anderson Live (syndicated) Check local listings
Anderson's spending Christmas with co-host Gayle King and by cooking with Pat and Gina Neely.
