Seven Days of Television: November 24 to November 30
A select viewing guide to the next seven days of television
MONDAY NOVEMBER 24 NCIS: Los Angeles (Global, 8 p.m.; CBS, 10 p.m.) You can’t go wrong with sameness in today’s American TV landscape. Buoyed by the success of the hugely popular NCIS, CBS launched this spinoff in 2009 and the show has hit a U.S. ratings peak in its current sixth season. No doubt the show’s staying power stems from its formula of dropping earnest and likeable characters - in this instance, the L.A.-based agents foiling bad guys for the Office of Special Projects - into perilous circumstances and always wrapping up the case within the proscribed hourlong timeframe. In tonight’s new outing, primary agents Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Hanna (LL Cool J) attempt to learn the identity of the mole who poisoned another agent. And then events get really tricky when OSP boss Hetty (Linda Hunt) orders the entire unit into lockdown mode.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25 Dancing with the Stars (ABC, CTV, MuchMoreMusic, 8 p.m.) If you’re inclined toward wagering, bet the farm on reality star Sadie Robertson walking away with the mirror-ball trophy in tonight’s finale of this dance competition. The 17-year-old Duck Dynasty star has doggedly outlasted the likes of Tommy Chong and Lea Thompson and now her only competition for the finale will come from YouTube star Bethany Mota, actress Janel Parrish and sitcom star Alfonso Ribiero (one of whom will get booted off on Monday's show). More to the point, Sadie’s dance partner is Mark Ballas, who has won the competition on two previous occasions, and the American viewing audience – who determine all voting on DWTS – is simply mad about Duck Dynasty.
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 26 Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving (NBC, 9 p.m.) Sure, we celebrated our own Thanksgiving over a month ago, but that’s no reason why we can’t have a second helping from our neighbours to the south. First broadcast last year, this special presents the best Thanksgiving sketches culled from Saturday Night Live’s 40-year history. Among the more memorable: Ed Grimley (Martin Short) getting way too excited about turkey; a raucous parody of Martha Stewart Living; and, of course, Debbie Downer (Rachel Dratch) doing her best to spoil Thanksgiving dinner for all those around her. Wah-wah.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27 Nature of Things (CBC, 8 p.m.) Meet Leora Eisen and her twin sister Linda Lewis. The identical twins were born minutes apart and their genetic bond appears to have only become stronger in the decades since. Leora also happens to be a filmmaker and this special follows her on her global quest to better uinderstand the psychological ramifications of twinship. Making stops from Montreal to Melbourne, Eisen talks to several medical professionals who have devoted their lives to the study of twinship, among them British researcher Dr. Tim Spector, who says, “Twins are the only real, unique natural experiment we have in humans.”
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28 Frosty the Snowman (CBS, 9 p.m.) It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. First broadcast in 1969, this festive chestnut bears repeat viewing if only to remind viewers how far animation technology has advanced in the past quarter-century. With visuals supplied by venerable Mad magazine artist Paul Coker Jr. and narration from the late, great Jimmy Durante, the no-frills special tells the tale of the genial snowman (voiced by Jackie Vernon) who springs to life with the assistance of a magical stovepipe hat. Unfortunately for Frosty, a nasty character named Professor Hinkle (Billy De Wolfe) also wants the hat, which leads to all sorts of misadventures and the improbable inclusion of Santa Claus himself. Even though Frosty looks crude today, keep in mind that this special spawned four spinoff specials – all slated for broadcast in weeks to come.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29 National Dog Show 2014 (NBC, 8 p.m.) May we suggest foregoing your usual Saturday night hockey-viewing plans for two hours of adorable dogs? Hosted by ex-Seinfeld fixture John O’Hurley, the annual broadcast showcases roughly 1500 purebred canines in competition for the lofty honour of Best in Show, along with prize money. This year’s show will include two new breeds recently sanctioned by the American Kennel Club: The wirehaired Vizsla (in the sporting category) and the Coton De Tulear (non-sporting). May the best pooch win.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30 The Mentalist (CBS, 9 p.m.) Welcome back, Thomas Jane. Returning for a seventh and final campaign, this sturdy crime procedural still works off the strength of Simon Baker’s measured portrayal of the savvy sleuth-psychic, who is always the smartest person in the room and not above telling everyone else. As the new season opens, Jane and his co-worker Teresa (Robin Tunney) are only a few weeks into their new relationship when they’re called to investigate the grisly murder of an undercover agent. The honeymoon is over, kids.