Seven Days of Television: December 1 to December 7
A select viewing guide to the next seven days of television
MONDAY DECEMBER 1 State of Affairs (NBC, Global, 10 p.m.) Note to Katherine Heigl fans: If you’re already a fan of this new drama casting her as a high-powered political player, enjoy it while you can because it’s likely not long for this world. The show launched three weeks ago to respectable U.S. ratings – and promptly shed one-quarter of its viewing audience by the second episode. In any case, tonight’s new outing finds Heigl’s character of CIA hotshot flashing back to the events that claimed the life of her ex-fiancee, who also happened to be the son of the American president (Alfre Woodard), while everyone at the White House scurries about to prepare for a visit from the Chinese president (Tzi Ma).
TUESDAY DECEMBER 2 American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered (PBS, 8 p.m.) By any measure, Bing Crosby was one of the most successful entertainers of the 20 th century. Over a career spanning four decades, the late crooner proved himself equally adept on radio, film, television and even earned a Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 1944 film Going My Way. Narrated by Stanley Tucci, this heartfelt documentary rewinds his life and times and pays rightful homage to the man through interviews with his surviving family members and several contemporaries, among them singer Tony Bennett and Broadway songsmith Michael Feinstein. In keeping with the season, the film also tells the real story behind the 1977 duet of Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy performed Crosby and David Bowie.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3 A Saturday Night Live Christmas (NBC, 9 p.m.) You know the holiday season is just around the corner when NBC hauls out this festive chestnut. As in years past, the program features the most memorable holiday moments culled from SNL’s 40-year history. Included in the mix: Steve Martin’s heartfelt but hilarious Holiday Wish; the remake of It’s a Wonderful Life (in which Mr. Potter, played by Jon Lovitz, finally gets his comeuppance) and Adam Sandler’s rendition of The Hanukkah Song. And yes, Virginia, the program will include the outrageous music-video classic D--k in a Box, as performed by Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 4 Peter Pan Live! (NBC, Citytv, 8 p.m.) Following the huge ratings success of last year’s live broadcast of The Sound of Music starring Carrie Underwood, NBC returns to the well with this lavish (or at least lavish-looking, according to the sneak peeks revealed online) production of the classic tale by J.M. Barrie. Girls mainstay Allison Williams is set to assume the role of Peter Pan, the ageless boy-elf who whisks off the witless Wendy Darling (Taylor Lauderman) and her two witless brothers off to Neverland for fun and adventure. Two predictions: Viewers will marvel over the seamless insertion of the CGI version of the pixie Tinkerbell, and most people will watch the three-hour show just to watch Christopher Walken chew up the scenery as the heartless pirate known as Captain Hook.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 5 The Next Step (Family Channel, 7:30 p.m.) As with Heartland, That’s So Weird and other homegrown programs, this drama set behind the scenes of the fictional Next Step Dance Studio ranks among the very best shows currently airing on Canadian television – and yet few viewers over 18 are even aware of its existence. The good news is that it’s never too late to buy into the premise revolving around an elite group of young and very good-looking teens comprising the A-troupe of hoofers shooting for dance-world fame. Teen emotions flare in tonight’s new episode when Eldon (Isaac Lupien) discovers he has to compete against teammate Daniel (Brennan Clost) in the male solo round of a major competition.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 6 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (TCM, 8 p.m. ET) Directed by the recently-deceased Mike Nichols, this 1966 drama teaming real-life couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton has lost none of its impact over the years. Based on the play by Edward Albee and directed by Mike Nichols, the film stars Burton as George, an alcoholic college professor, and Taylor as Martha, his long-suffering and insufferable wife. One summer evening, George invites novice academic Nick (George Segal) and his mousy wife Honey (Sandy Dennis) over for drinks. Along with the audience, the young couple is forced to watch the hateful pair spar, but the fangs come out when George pushes Martha’s buttons about their son.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 7 I Love Lucy Christmas Special (CBS, 8 p.m.) Although the original series aired between 1951 and 1957 and almost all the principal cast is long gone, viewers still love Lucy. This hourlong special merges two colorized episodes of the classic series into one seamless festive treat. In “The Christmas Episode,” Lucy (Lucille Ball) and husband Ricky (Desi Arnaz) are shown decorating their tree while reminiscing about how their lives have changed for the better since the arrival of Little Ricky (Keith Thibodeaux). And in the episode titled “Job Switching,” Lucy and bestie Ethel (Vivian Vance) take part-time jobs (apparently quite the novelty for women in the fifties) – which results in them frantically trying to maintain the pace of working a conveyer belt in a chocolate factory.