“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” the third film in Rian Johnson’s (“Poker Face”) series starring Southern detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, “Casino Royale,” 2006), is in select theaters now and makes its worldwide streaming premiere Friday, Dec. 12, on Netflix. After visiting a lavish Grecian estate in “Glass Onion” (2022), Blanc travels to a small town in Upstate New York to investigate the death of a beloved local priest.
Josh O’Connor
Daniel Craig in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
By Dana Simpson TV Media
TWaking the dead Benoit Blanc returns in third ‘Knives Out Mystery’
he avid filmgoer or attentive pop culture aficionado has likely noticed a trending return toward gothic sensibilities over the past year or so. Sure, Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” (2024) and Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” (2025) are firmly planted in the horror genre, but that doesn’t mean the gothic vibes need to stay sequestered with the monstrous forever. Rian Johnson (“Poker Face”), for one, had other plans, and now the newly repopularized aesthetic has expanded into the realm of whodunnit comedy.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” is in select theaters now and makes its worldwide streaming premiere Friday, Dec. 12, on Netflix.
The third film in Johnson’s Knives Out franchise, featuring suave Southern detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, “Casino Royale,” 2006), “Wake Up Dead Man” initially premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September. Then described as “a seemingly impossible locked-room scenario involving a corpse” that remains “as strong, inventive and entertaining as ever,” Johnson trades in the sun-soaked luxury of the Grecian mansion in “Glass Onion” (2022) for the grim-yet-beautiful artistry of a Gothic-era church in soggy Upstate New York, a setting befitting of the themes at the film’s core.
“Themes of guilt, mystery, morality and fallible humanity all feel right at home in a church, with a man of God in the center of the mix,” Johnson explains in an interview for Netflix’s Tudum. “I have strong feelings about faith: both my own personal experience and how it intersects with our country’s cultural and civic life, and the ways that intersection touches all of us differently. So it felt like rich ground for a good story.”
And that story, per the trailer, goes a little something like this: “A man gives a sermon. He then, in plain sight of everyone, walks into a sealed concrete box, and 30 seconds later, that man is lying dead. A classic impossible crime.”
At the heart of the crime is, of course, the victim: Mons. Jefferson Wicks, played by “Weapons” (2025) and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) star Josh Brolin. Upon the discovery of the priest’s body, the film series’ dapper Det. Blanc (this time with a luscious mane of hair) is called in to solve the unlikely crime. As always, Blanc is tasked with questioning a small group of would-be witnesses, any one of whom could be the killer.
Among the rag-tag group of suspects are Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor, “The Crown”), who has taken up the mantle as Blanc’s assistant and right-hand man; devout Catholic Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close, “Fatal Attraction,” 1987), who is as shady as she is religious; local doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker,” 2008); cynical bestselling author Lee
Ross (Andrew Scott, “Ripley”); former concert cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny, “Civil War,” 2024); the Dravens, including uptight lawyer Vera (Kerry Washington, “Scandal”) and aspiring politician Cy (Daryl McCormack, “Peaky Blinders”); as well as the church’s risk-averse groundskeeper Samson Holt (Thomas Hayden Church, “Sideways,” 2004).
Mila Kunis (“Black Swan,” 2010) also stars as small-town New York police chief Geraldine Scott.
“We’ve been very lucky with each of these movies to have gathered some of my favorite actors on the planet, and that’s absolutely the case here,” Johnson reported to Tudum.
“They’re also all lovely folks who get along,” the writer-director noted, adding, “When you’re making an ensemble movie like this, I think that’s key.”
But it isn’t all familiar faces and gothic places in “Wake Up Dead Man” — although that is a major part. Johnson revealed to Tudum that this entry into the Knives Out franchise is the most
personal for Blanc, and possibly for himself. The choice of setting is partly to do with Johnson’s decision to explore Blanc in greater depth, revealing his relationship with faith, religion and belief; belief in God and belief in himself as a mortal man investigating earthly crimes.
“This film charts [Blanc’s] most personal journey yet,” says Johnson while promoting the film for Netflix. “He’s forced to engage with the case — and with himself — in a way that’s completely new.”
And while we don’t yet know how that will translate on screen (Johnson does love a good mystery, after all), the Certified Fresh 95% Rotten Tomatoes score following its TIFF premiere is an indication that the film has, at the very least, done a good job of entertaining and connecting to audiences.
As for whether we can expect to see more of Blanc in the years that follow, that remains to be seen. The release of “Wake Up Dead Man” completes Johnson’s agreement with Netflix, which required he make two sequels to the 2019 suc-
cess “Knives Out,” but the whodunit auteur admits he is far from “sick of making these” films.
“After this experience, I feel really energized,” Johnson told Collider during an interview. “I don’t know, as long as it’s fun, as long as you guys keep digging them, we’ll come back and keep making them every few years. I’d be happy.”
In the meantime, Johnson admits he is already writing another project; something he describes as “a paranoid thriller” with “light sci-fi elements.”
Help Blanc solve what may (or may not) be his final case when “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” makes its streaming premiere Friday, Dec. 12, on Netflix.
Kerry Washington and Glenn Close in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
of Many Colors: Circle of
Nicolas Cage. <++ Hotel Transylvania: Transformania <++ The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run Boss Baby Loud House OXY 123 127 251 Jessica Chambers Snapped Snapped "Amber Burch" SnappedSnapped "Bryan Miller" Snapped "Betty Wi lson" Snapped "Susan Polk" Snapped "Coty Ma rtinez"
PARMT 49 241 241 Bar Rescue <+++ Ocean's Eleven (‘01) Matt Damon, George Clooney. <+++ Ocean's Twelve (‘04) Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, George Clooney. <+++ Ocean's Thirteen
SYFY 160 122 244 <++ The Golden Compas s (‘07) Nicole Kidman. <+++ Snowpiercer (2013, Sci-Fi)Song Kang-ho,Tilda Swinton,Chris Evans. <+++ Searching (‘18)Debra Messing,Joseph Lee, John Cho. Movie
TBS 29 139 247 Mod Fam Mod Fam Friends Friends FriendsFriends Friends <+++ Barbie (‘23)Ryan Gosling, Margot Robbie. <++ Sweet Home Alabama Reese Witherspoon.
TCM 501 132 256 < You Were Never Lov <+++ Cry of the City (‘48)Victor Mature. <+++ From Here to Eternity (‘53) Burt Lancaster. <++ Shadow of the Thin Man William Powell. < Shall We Dance
TLC 42 183 280 90 Day Diaries 90 Day Diaries
Nassau, Bahamas. (L) (N)
la La rosa de Guadalupe "Una promesa de amor"
Chapulín
(N)
Chavo (N)
"Chuponcito
(SP) (N) Piensa "Derramando sensualidad" (N) Amor en Navidad "Juntos en Navidad"
Bourne Legacy
Parts (‘15)
Lopez.
The Mountain Between Us Kate Winslet. < Janet Planet (‘23)Zoe Ziegler, Julianne Nicholson. <++ Trap (‘24) Josh Hartnett. The Knick
Boomerang (‘92) Halle Berry, Eddie Murphy. <+++ Fargo Frances McDormand. (P) <++ Safe (‘12) Robert John Burke,Jason Statham. <++ Allied (‘16) Marion Cotillard, Brad Pitt. Movie
Gangster (‘07)Denzel Washington. To Be Announced Spartacus: AshurSpartacus: Ashur <++ Pompeii
Dead Don't Hurt (‘23)Vicky Krieps.
Up in the Air (‘09) George Cl ooney.
Rules of Engagement
SUNDAY
DECEMBER
<
Wisest Men < She's Making a List (‘25)Lacey Chabert. < Single on the 25th (‘25) Lyndsy Fonseca. (P) < The More the Merrier (‘25)Rachel Boston.
(‘01)Ben Affleck.
(‘10)Sylvester Stallone. <++ The Expendables 2 (‘12)Jason Statham,Sylvester Stallone. < Anna and the Apoc alypse (P)
Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big BangBig BangBig Bang Big Bang Big BangBig Bang
Jamie Foxx. <+++ Selena (‘97)Edward James Olmos, Jennifer Lopez.
(‘13) Mireille Enos,Brad Pitt. Movie
Welcome to DerryIT: Welcome to Derry (N) I Love LAI
(N) IT: Welcome to Derry I Love LAI Love LA
Knick
Knick The Knick <+++ Chronicle (‘12)Dane DeHaan <++
Perfect Getaway Steve Zahn. < Public Enemies
(‘90) Robert De Niro. <+++ Braveheart (‘95, Hist)Sophie Marceau,Patrick McGoohan, Mel Gibson. Mayor of <+++ Fargo (‘96)Frances McDormand. Movie
Ashur
Ashur To Be Announced Spartacus: Ashur Spartacus: Ashur To Be Announced Spartacus: Ashur
Green Book (‘18) Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen. <+++ Gangs of New York (‘02)Leonardo DiCaprio. <++ The Killer Inside Me (‘10)Casey Affleck. Movie
Highlights
thisweek
Sunday
Single on the 25th
HALL
7:00 p.m.
Nell (Lyndsy Fonseca) hates being single at Christmastime because all she sees are happy couples. When her family cancels holiday plans, she is determined to have fun on her own until her neighbor, Cooper (Daniel Lissing), realizes he is missing out.
Monday DMV
(2) WBBM WCIA 7:00 p.m.
Few places feel more like home than the DMV. From the flickering fluo rescent lighting to the metal file cabinets and the fading forms, it’s like a warm hug. The employees of the East Hollywood DMV head to Big Sac for the corporate holiday par ty.
Wednesday
The Amazing Race
(2) WBBM WCIA 8:30 p.m.
If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere. After a long and arduous journey across Europe, the final couples make their way to New York City. With the $1 million prize in sight, the teams barrel towards the finish line for Season 38.
Thursday
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors
(9) WGN 7:00 p.m.
Based on Dolly’s 1971 song of the same name, this film follows the tight-knit Parton family, including Dolly’s mother (played by Jennifer Nettles), as they struggle to overcome a tragedy and discover the healing power of love, faith and a patchwork coat.
Tuesday
(7) WLS 7:00 p.m.
Friday
A Runaway Bride for Christmas 7:00 p.m.
When Emma (Nischelle Turner) gets cold feet at the altar, she escapes to the only place she calls home. There she finds herself falling for Mitch (Mark Ghanime), her former high school crush. But when her ex arrives, she must risk it all before Christmas.
Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas
“Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas” airs on ABC this Tuesday, Dec. 9. Hosted by the aforementioned actor, this special presentation celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. It follows the extraordinary journey of Mary and Joseph as they navigate the trials and triumphs on the road to Jesus Christ’s birth.
Saturday
Ghost Adventures: House Calls
TRAVEL 8:00 p.m.
If you hear creaks in the night or see
ghostly figures passing through your walls, it might be time to call Zak Bagans and his team. This time, they head to Jackson, Mo., where they help a man whose obsession with the paranormal is ruining his life.
AMC 73 M Jack Frost <++ The Great Outdoors (‘88) Dan Aykroyd. <+++ Trading Places (‘83,Com) Eddie Murphy,Dan Aykroyd. <+++ National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (‘89)
T <++ Four Christmases (‘08) Vince Vaughn. <+++ Ghostbusters (1984,Comedy) Dan Aykroyd,Bill Murray. <++ Ghostbusters II (1989,Comedy) Dan Aykroyd,Bill Murray. <++ Spaceballs (‘87)
W The Three Stooges/<++ Jumanji (‘95) Robin Williams. <++ The Addams Family (‘91) Anjelica Huston. <++ Addams Family Values (‘93) <+ Deck the Halls (‘06) Th Frosty's Rudolph Shiny <++ Jack Frost (1998,Children) Kelly Preston,Michael Keaton. <+++ Trading Places (‘83,Com) Eddie Murphy,Dan Aykroyd. <+++ Scrooged (‘88) Bill Murray. F <++ Liar Liar (‘97) Maura Tierney, Jim Carrey. <++ Four Christmases (‘08) Vince Vaughn. <++ Click (2006,Comedy) Kate Beckinsale, Adam Sandler. <++ Yes Man (‘08) Jim Carrey.
66 The Aquarium The Vet Life / (F) River Monsters My Cat From Hell / (F) River Monsters My Cat From Hell / (F) River Monsters Pit Bulls and ParoleesPit Bulls and Parolees Various Various
MAX
League of <++ Larceny,
Five Pennies (‘59) Danny Kaye. <+++ It Started in Naples (‘60) Clark Gable. <+++ Houseboat Th < Becoming Hitchcock - < What She Said: The Art of Pauline < The Automat (2021,Documentary) Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession < Dean Martin: King of Cool (‘21)
M <+++ The Dark Knig To Be Announced Music Box: It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley <+++ The Color Purple (‘23,Mus) Taraji P. Henson,Fantasia I Love LA Welcome
T <++ Four Christmases <++ The Alto Knights (‘25) Robert De Niro. Music Box: It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley IT: Welcome to Derry <+++ The Town (‘10) Rebecca Hall,Ben Affleck.
W <+++ The Batman (‘22) Robert Pattinson. To Be Announced To Be Announced <+++ Wedding Crashers (‘05) Owen Wilson. IT: Welcome to Derry Movie
Th <++ The Water Diviner (‘14) <++ 50 First Dates (‘04) Adam Sandler. <++ Death of a Unicorn (‘25) <+++ X-Men: First Class (‘11) James McAvoy Welcome
F <+++ Dune: Part Two (2024,Sci-Fi) Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet. <+++ Wonka (‘23) Timothee Chalamet. < Parthenope (‘24) Celeste Dalla Porta. I Love LA TBA
M <+++ Lady Bird (‘17) <+++ Sound of My V <++ Funny People (‘09,Com.-Dra) Seth Rogen,Adam Sandler. <+ Nine Lives (‘16) Kevin Spacey <+++ Big Eyes (‘14) Amy Adams.
T <++ Black Adam (‘22) <++ Sleepwalking (‘08) Nick Stahl. < 2:22 (‘17) Michiel Huisman. <+++ Jackie (‘16) Natalie Portman. <++ We Live in Time (‘24) Andrew Garfield.
W <++ Spare Parts (‘15) <++ Beyond the Black Rainbow (‘11) < Spaceship Earth (2020,Documentary) <+++ The Disaster Artist (‘17) <++ Trap (‘24)
Th <++ Going the Distance (‘10) <+ Nine Lives (‘16) Kevin Spacey <+++ St. Vincent (‘14) Bill Murray <++ Pan (‘15) Garrett Hedlund, Hugh Jackman. <+ Getaway (‘13) Ethan Hawke.
F <+++ Sunshine Clea <+++ The Florida Project (‘17) Willem Dafoe. <++ The 9th Life of Louis Drax (‘16) <+ A Thousand Words (‘12) < Janet Planet (‘23)
M Movie <+++ The Firm (1993,Drama) Jeanne Tripplehorn,Tom Cruise. < Shell (‘24) Elisabeth Moss. <+++ 21 Jump Street (‘12) Jonah Hill. <+++ 22 Jump Street (‘14)
T < The Last Stop in Yum <++++ Raging Bull (P) (‘80) Cathy Moriarty,Robert De Niro. < The Cut (‘24) Orlando Bloom. <++ Scream 4 (‘11) Neve Campbell. <+++ Rocketman
W < Dear Santa (‘24) <+++ Love and Monsters (‘20) Dylan O'Brien < American Renegades (‘17) Sullivan Stapleton. <+++ Seabiscuit (‘03) Tobey Maguire. <+ Nobody's Fool (‘18)
Th Movie <++++ The Godfather (1972,Crime Story) Al Pacino, Marlon Brando. <++ Disturbia (‘07) David Morse, Shia LaBeouf <+++ The Firm (1993,Drama) Jeanne Tripplehorn,Tom Cruise.
F <+++ Snatch (‘00) Benicio del Toro. <+++ Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom <+++ Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade <++ Daddy's Home 2 (‘17) <+++ The Edge of Se
M < Who Gets the Dog? Spartacus: Ashur < Dirty Angels (‘24) Maria Bakalova,Eva Green. <++ A Journal for Jordan (‘21) Spartacus: AshurSpartacus: Ashur
T Movie < Survive (‘22,Dra) Corey Hawkins, Sophie Turner. < Greedy People (‘24) Joseph Gordon-Levitt. < Trim Season (‘23) Beth Million. Power Book IIIPower Book III
W < Greedy People (‘24) Joseph Gordon-Levitt. < Outlaw Johnny Black (‘23) Michael Jai White. <+++ From the World of John Wick: BallerinaPower Book IIIPower III
Th <+ Shadow Force (‘25) < Lady of the Manor (P) (‘21) Melanie Lynskey Spartacus: AshurSpartacus: Ashur < Hostile Takeover (‘25) Power Book IIIPower III
F Movie < Who Gets the Dog? (‘16) Alicia Silverstone < Queen of Manhattan (‘22) <+++ Hellboy II: The Golden Army (‘08) <+ Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas (P) (‘13)
M <+++ American Gangster (‘07) <++ Paul (‘11) Simon Pegg <+ Taxi (‘04) Queen Latifah. < Clawfoot (‘23) Nestor Carbonell <++ Paul (‘11) Simon Pegg
T <+ Taxi (‘04) <++++ E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (‘82) <++ Bruce Almighty (‘03) <++ Evan Almighty (‘07) Steve Carell. <++ Exodus: Gods and Kings (‘14)
STZENC 517
W <+++ Apollo 13 (‘95) Bill Paxton, Tom Hanks. <++ Ghostbusters: Afterlife (‘21) Carrie Coon. < For the Love of Money (‘21) <++ The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare Movie
Th Movie < McVeigh (‘24) Alfie Allen. < For the Love of Money (‘21) <+++ Casino (1995,Crime Story) Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro. <++ A Million Ways t
F <++ Think Like a Man (‘12) Michael Ea ly < Model House (‘24) <++ All About the Benjamins (‘02) < John Henry (‘20) Terry Crews <+ Addicted (‘14)
M < Queen Bees (‘21) <++ The Prince & Me (‘04) Julia Stiles <++ Morning Glory (‘10) Rachel McAdams. <++ The Return (‘24) Ralph Fiennes. <++ The Ring (‘02)
T < Our Ghosts (‘21) Michele Riondino. <+ Joe Dirt (‘01) David Spade. <++ Naked Gun 33 1/ 3: The Final I <+ Big Daddy (‘99) Adam
590
W < Freedom's
(‘22) <++ Juice (‘92) Omar Epps <+++ Saturday Night Fever (‘77) John
<
Th <+++ Mansfield Park < All the Wrong Ingredients (‘24) < Earth Mama (‘23) Tia Nomore. < What Remains (‘22) Kellan Lutz,Cress Williams. <+++ Tabloid (2010,Animated) Movie
F <+++ Patriots Day (‘16) <+++ A Single Man (‘09) Colin Firth. <++ Staying Alive (‘83) <+++ An Officer and a Gentleman (‘82) <+++ Red Eye (‘05) 8 AM 8:30 9 AM 9:30
Sandler. <+ Superstar (‘99) Molly Shannon. Movie
Path
Travolta.
Outlaw Posse (‘24) Mario Van Peebles <++ Anthropoid (‘16)
From the list below, find each word and circle its letters in the puzzle to reveal the message relating to this week’s topic.
The Price Is Right
Sports this week
SUNDAY
10:30 a.m. TRU TNT World Sevens Football (Live) (1:00)
11:00 a.m. BIG10 Women’s College Basketball Purdue at Michigan. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
11:30 a.m. TRU TNT World Sevens Football (Live) (1:00)
Noon WCIA (32) WFLD NFL Football (Live) (3:25) (7) WLS 2025 World Champions Cup Final Round. (Live) (4:00)
ESPN2 College Basketball Missouri vs. Kansas. (Live) (2:00)
12:30 p.m. (5) WMAQ PGA Tour Golf Hero World Challenge, Final Round. (Live) (3:00)
1:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Basketball Ohio State at Northwestern. (Live) (2:00)
2:00 p.m. TRU World Sevens Football (Live) (1:00)
ESPN2 College Basketball Texas Tech vs. LSU. (Live) (2:00)
3:00 p.m. (2) WBBM NFL Football Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders. (Live) (3:00)
BIG10 Women’s College Basketball Maryland at Minnesota. (Live) (2:00)
3:25 p.m. (32) WFLD NFL Football (Live) (3:05)
3:30 p.m. TRU TNT World Sevens Football (Live) (1:00)
4:00 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Georgetown at North Carolina. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 College Basketball SMU vs. Texas A&M. (Live) (2:00)
5:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Basketball Michigan State at Wisconsin. (Live) (2:00)
7:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Basketball Washington at USC. (Live) (2:00)
MONDAY
2:00 p.m. USA Premier League Soccer Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United. (Live) (2:00)
7:00 p.m. (7) WLS ESPN NFL Football Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Chargers. (Live) (3:15)
TUESDAY
5:30 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Clemson vs. BYU. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. BIG10 Women’s College Basketball Arizona State at Penn State. (Live) (2:00)
TNT NHL Hockey Vegas Golden Knights at New York Islanders. (Live) (2:30)
6:30 p.m. TRU College Basketball Brown at Providence. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Florida vs. Connecticut. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 College Basketball USC at San Diego. (Live) (2:00)
8:30 p.m. TRU TNT NHL Hockey Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators. (Live) (3:00)
WEDNESDAY
6:00 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Minnesota at Purdue. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN Women’s College Basketball (Live) (2:00)
6:30 p.m. TRU TNT NHL Hockey New York Rangers at Chicago Blackhawks. (Live) (2:30)
8:00 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Wisconsin at Nebraska. (Live) (2:00)
9:00 p.m. TRU TNT NHL Hockey Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken. (Live) (3:00)
THURSDAY
Noon ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
2:30 p.m. ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN NHL Hockey Florida Panthers at Colorado Avalanche. (Live) (2:30)
FRIDAY
11:00 a.m. ESPN Women’s College Volleyball (Live) (2:00)
Noon GOLF PGA Tour Golf Grant Thornton Invitational, First Round. (Live) (3:00)
1:30 p.m. ESPN Women’s College Volleyball (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. TRU College Basketball Missouri State at Xavier. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
7:00 p.m. (32) WFLD College Basketball Texas at Connecticut. (Live) (2:00)
8:00 p.m. ESPN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
8:30 p.m. ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Chelsea vs. Everton. (Live) (2:00)
11:00 a.m. (2) WBBM WCIA Italian Serie A Soccer Parma vs. SS Lazio. (Live) (2:00) (7) WLS College Football Cricket Celebration Bowl: Teams TBA. (Live) (3:30)
ESPN College Football Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00)
ESPN2 College Basketball Arkansas vs. Texas Tech. (Live) (2:00)
11:30 a.m. (5) WMAQ Premier League Soccer Burnley vs. Fulham. (Live) (2:00)
USA College Basketball Old Dominion at George Mason. (Live) (2:00)
Noon (32) WFLD College Basketball Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma. (Live) (2:00)
1:00 p.m. (9) WGN College Basketball South Carolina Upstate at North Carolina. (Live) (2:00)
BIG10 College Basketball Jackson State at Northwestern. (Live) (2:00)
TRU TNT College Basketball Providence at Butler. (Live) (2:00)
1:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball George Washington vs. Florida. (Live) (2:00)
2:00 p.m. (2) WBBM WCIA College Football Army vs. Navy. (Live) (3:30) (5) WMAQ PGA Tour Golf Grant Thornton Invitational, Second Round. (Live) (2:00) (32) WFLD College Basketball Kansas State at Creighton. (Live) (2:00)
GOLF PGA Korn Ferry Tour Golf Q-School Finals, Day 3. (Live) (2:00)
USA Premier League Soccer Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Live) (2:00)
2:30 p.m. (7) WLS College Football FCS Division I Championship, Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (3:00) ESPN College Basketball Memphis at Louisville. (Live) (2:00)
3:00 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball UC Davis at Oregon. (Live) (2:00)
3:30 p.m. TRU College Basketball Pittsburgh at Villanova. (Live) (2:00)
4:00 p.m. ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Final: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
4:30 p.m. (32) WFLD Women’s College Basketball Connecticut at USC. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN College Basketball Kansas at NC State. (Live) (2:00)
5:00 p.m. BIG10 College Basketball Southern Utah at Washington. (Live) (2:00)
6:00 p.m. TRU College Basketball Arizona State vs. Santa Clara. (Live) (2:00)
TNT College Basketball Arizona State vs. Santa Clara. (Live) (2:00)
6:30 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Indiana at Kentucky. (Live) (2:00)
ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Final: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
7:00 p.m. (7) WLS College Football Bucked Up LA Bowl: Teams TBA. (Live) (3:30) (32) WFLD College Basketball Michigan at Maryland. (Live) (2:00)
BIG10 Men’s College Wrestling Oklahoma at Rutgers. (Live) (2:00)
8:30 p.m. ESPN College Basketball Arizona vs. Alabama. (Live) (2:00)
Solution on page 6
8:30 p.m. ESPN2 Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. (Live) (2:00)
10:30 p.m. ESPN College Basketball UCLA vs. Gonzaga. (Live) (2:00)
MONDAY PRIME
DECEMBER
218 Grass League 2025 Grass League Championship PGA Tour Golf Hero World Challenge, Final Round From Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas.
HALL 131 185 312 < Checkin' It Twice < Three Wiser Men and a Boy (‘24) Paul Campbell. Finding Mr. Christmas (N) Baked
40 120 269 Ancient Aliens "Return to Mars" Ancient AliensAncient AliensAncient Aliens: Origins "Alien Reinventions" (N) Ancient AliensAncient Aliens: Origins
R. Maddow (L) (N) Last Word (L) (N) 11th-Stephanie (L) (N) Rachel Maddow Show MTV 60 160 331 Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Ridiculous Ridiculous Ridiculous Ridiculous Ridiculous Ridiculous
"20 Year Anniversary: Sharee Miller" Snapped "Cameo Clines" Snapped "Theresa Cox " SnappedSnapped "Reta Ma ys" SnappedSnapped "Katrina Fouts" PARMT 49 241 241 Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two MenTwo
Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big BangBig BangBig Bang Big Bang Big BangBig BangBig Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big BangAmericanAmerican TCM 501 132 256 < Miracle of Morgan's <+++ Going in Style (‘79)George Burns. <++++ Grand Hotel (‘32) Greta Garbo. <++ Skyscraper Souls (‘32) Warren William. <++++ Metropolis
TLC 42 183 280 90 Day Diaries 90 Day Diaries 90 Day Fiancé: Other90 Day "Gutted" (N) 90 Day Diaries (N) 90 Day "Pillow Talk" (N) Baylen Out Loud90 Day: Other "Gutted "
TLN 71 - - Gaither Homecoming Paid Prog. NewswatchThe 700 Club Jack HibbsJeffress Pure Gold Robert RobisonRick Renner SkywatchThe Zach DPaid Prog. Paid Prog. TNT 52 138 245 < Captain America: Wi <+++ Captain America:
Skiptrace (‘16)Johnny Knoxville,Jackie Chan. < Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planet s <+ Repo Men (‘10)Forest Whitaker,Jude Law.
Terminator: Dark Fate (‘19) Linda Hamilton. Mayor of "My Way" (N) <+++ Django Unchained (‘12) Christoph Waltz,Jamie Foxx. <+++ Road to Perdition
Angels (‘24) Maria Bakalova, Eva Green. <++ Black and Blue (‘19)Naomie Harris. To Be Announced Spartacus: AshurSpartacus: Ashur < Survive
The Ring
Indecent Proposal (‘93)Robert Redford. <++++ American Beauty (‘99) Kevin Spacey. <+++ Revolutionary Road Leonardo DiCaprio. <+ Halloween II
TUESDAY
DECEMBER
49 241 241 Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two MenTwo Men <++ The Day After Tomorrow (‘04) Jake Gyllenhaal,Ian Holm,Dennis Qua id <+++ Top Gun (‘86) Kelly McGillis,Tom Cruise.
SYFY 160 122 244 <++ The Expendables 3 (‘14) Sylvester Stallone. <++ Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (‘18) Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt. <++ Beast (‘22) Sharlto Copley,Idris Elba. < Knock at the Cabin
TBS 29 139 247 Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big BangBig Bang Big Bang Big Bang Wipeout (N) Big BangBig BangBig Bang Big Bang Mod FamMod Fam
TCM 501 132 256 Movie <+++ Oklahoma! (‘55) Shirley Jones,Gordon MacRae. <+++ These Three Miriam Hopkins. <+ Over the Moon Merle Oberon. <++ Affectionately Yours (‘41) Merle Oberon.
Motown celebration.
Show Starring Jimmy
(N)
Meyers (N)
de Juana (N) Noticias (L) (N) Noticiero (L) (N)
deportivo (L)
Almighty Steve Carell. <++ Exodus: Gods and King s Christian Bale.
(‘24)
(‘24, Bio)Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Daniel Craig. < Unlocked (‘17) Noomi Rapace. <+++ Speed (‘94)Dennis Hopper,Keanu Reeves. Movie
(‘17)Tom Cruise. <++ The Equalizer (‘14)Denzel Washington. <++ The Equalizer 2 (‘18)Denzel Washington. < The Cut
<
(‘22) Corey Ha wkins, Sophie Turner. < Unexpected Christmas < Greedy People (‘24) Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Movie
(‘22)Jon Hamm. <+ Big Daddy (‘99)Adam Sandler. <+ Joe Dirt (‘01) David Spade. Anything for Fame Movie
After the ‘Hunt’
Elise Benson, others visit partners abroad in ‘Before the 90 Days’
By Dana Simpson TV Media
Ninety days of anything is a big commitment. It’s the length of one trimester of pregnancy, the approximate span of an entire season (for those who live in a four-season climate) and the maximum length of time many countries allow a foreigner to stay within their borders without a visa. This last metric is of particular importance to many who have chosen to balance their lifestyle with that of a long-distance, international partner — something the cast of TLC’s “90 Day Fiancé” is well acquainted with.
Given the heart it takes to dedicate 90 days or more of your life to a particular decision, it only makes sense that there should be a introductory period: enter “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days.” Premiering its eighth season Sunday, Dec. 7, on TLC, the “90 Day” spinoff series follows eight (mostly) new couples as they meet in person for the first time, learn more about one another and ultimately decide if they wish to proceed with applying for the American K-1 fiancé(e) visa.
As is frequently the case with reality TV spinoffs, there is one familiar face among the crowd of new participants. Elise Benson, 32, a Miami real estate agent and former contestant on “90 Day: Hunt for Love,” was unlucky in her previous screened endeavors to find a partner, but she has since found love Down Under in Joshua, 39, a Sydney, Australia-based yacht broker. The pair met on Instagram and quickly bonded over their similar careers and aspirations, but as stated by online entertainment magazine Deadline, “with Elise’s history of broken engagements and her resolve not to disappoint her family again, combined with Josh’s thrill-seeking lifestyle and friends on both sides sounding alarms, this whirlwind romance could end in smooth sailing or a spectacular wipeout.”
Elise and Josh are joined in Season 8 by seven other couples: Aviva and Stig, Lisa and Daniel, Emma and Ziad, Forrest and Sheena, Laura and Birkan, Jovon and Annalyn, and lastly, Rick and Trisha, whose relationship is off to a tumultuous beginning in Madagascar.
Rick, a 52-year-old divorced father from California, began this year thinking that he had found the next big love of his life, and for a while, his counterpart, 25-year-old Malagasy midwife Trisha, seemed to agree as they began planning their lives together from a distance. As of late, however, Trisha ghosted Rick, leaving the fate of their relationship in uncertain waters. Now, with the 90 Day team filming his journey to Africa, Rick is hoping an in-person meeting with Trisha could get the star-crossed pair back on the right track. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Arizonan Aviva travels to sunny Belize to visit her boyfriend Stig, a
Trisha and Rick of “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days”
30-year-old rapper known as Stig Da Artist, whom she met over social media two years ago. Although their conversations have been flowing seamlessly and Aviva is ready to make a commitment, Stig’s local popularity could stand in the way of his desire to settle down. Likewise, the attention Stig gets from other women has Aviva reassessing her level of trust in him.
Lisa, 51, and Daniel, 39, are battling a few issues of their own in Nigeria, too, as their 12-year age difference has many questioning their relationship, which began when Daniel reached out to Lisa on social media. Lisa is ready to take the leap and get serious with Daniel, but she wonders how his traditional Nigerian family will look upon her when they learn she has already been married five times and spent the past 21 years with female partners.
Emma, 28, and Ziad, 27, this season’s youngest couple, have some serious explaining to do. As Emma ditches the dating app to meet her Moroccan boyfriend in person for the first time, she still hasn’t told him about her previous engagement to a different Moroccan man. For his part, Ziad also appears to be hiding something, but only time will tell if it is a good surprise or a bad one.
Forrest and Sheena, unlike most couples in “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days,” have already been in a long-distance relationship together for the better part of seven years. Now 32 and 40, respectively, Forrest and Sheena are meeting in the Philippines, home to Sheena and her “mysterious family” (per Deadline). But with Forrest’s family joining the trip, things are about to get as tense as they are exciting.
The last two couples are Washington native Laura, 47, and Turkish-born Birkan, 26, who, despite their 21-year age gap, hope to marry and to prove all their doubters wrong, while Jovon and Annalyn, both 38, who are legally wed despite never having met in person. Although their six years of online interactions have been more than pleasant, Alabamian Jovon and Filipino Annalyn are just now discovering how much they still need to learn about one another’s lifestyles and values.
Screen Scramble
Unscramble the letters for each word to reveal five movies and TV shows. Then, rearrange the circled letters to discover the actor who has appeared in all five.
Solution on page 2
By Caroline Collacutt TV Media
After 40 seasons and 12 years on air, the Emmy-nominated culinary chat show “The Kitchen” comes to an end Saturday, Dec. 13, on Food Network.
Nearing 500 episodes, this lighthearted series features culinary superstars Sunny Anderson (“Cooking for Real”), Katie Lee Biegel (“Today”), Jeff Mauro (“Sandwich King”), Geoffrey Zakarian (“Beat Bobby Flay”) and Alex Guarnaschelli (“Ciao House”) as its steadfast hosts, offering audiences easy and accessible recipes, family meal tips, discussions on food trends and more. Now, as it reaches its conclusion, “The Kitchen” hopes to “celebrate one final holiday
season” (per Food Network) alongside its viewers.
Speaking on the show’s legacy, Food Network shared: “Across the seasons its hosts have generated more than 2,000 recipes to help those at home get delicious dishes on the table for any meal or occasion. They’ve shared tips for entertaining and hosted many guests who dropped by to cook up something fun and dish out timely news. Guests have included actors Daniel
Radcliffe (“Miracle Workers”), Haylie Duff (“Material Girls,” 2006), Raven-Symoné (“That’s So Raven”); musicians Martina McBride (“Concrete Angel”), Rev Run (“It’s Tricky”), Vanilla Ice (“Ice Ice Baby”); and media hosts Willie Geist (“Morning Joe”), Sunny Hostin (“The View”), Kathie Lee Gifford “Entertainment Tonight”); culinary heavyweights Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck and so many more.”
Alex Guarnaschelli, Katie Lee Biegel, Sunny Anderson, Geoffrey Zakarian and Jeff Mauro from “The Kitchen”
Crossword
Across
1. Stop on the RR
4. Alternative to All
7. Rural road-sign image
11. It might follow a master’s degree
12. Arcade game starter
13. Shoe man Picone
14. MP3-player battery
15. HBO series where 2% of the population disappear, with “The”
17. “The Chair Company” comedian
19. Curd’s partner
20. Sun Devils of the Pac-12
21. Treats that come in Thins and Double Stuf varieties
23. Mountain nymph of myth
27. “Metroid” console
28. Aftermath Records founder, familiarly
29. Perfume providing an accent?
32. Perform a cook-out job
34. “I cracked the code!”
36. Food in a Mumbai bread basket
37. Dramatic series starring Denzel Washington
41. TV drama starring Michael Chiklis
43. “Atonement” author McEwan
44. “Psycho” (1960) actress Miles
45. Treaty signatory
46. You might trip on it, for short
47. Hit, as a fly
48. Full of tricks
49. Some records: Abbr. Down
1. Kerfuffle
2. Cuisine with fried rice
3. ‘60s Batman portrayer
4. Beat, just barely, in sports headlines
5. Mortgagor’s choice, for short
6. Oxford rival
7. Consume
8. Like eight
9. Either end of a wide grin
10. “Angels of mercy,” briefly
12. Prunus spinosa plants
16. ___ buco (veal dish)
18. Homophone of “row”
21. Area-code preceder
22. Legal term
24. “Married...With Children” co-star
25. Horror film director Aster
26. CTRL-ALT-___
30. Patronizes, as a restaurant
1-06-2026
31. Querying sounds
32. Like many double entendres
33. Show team spirit
35. Jennifer Garner series
36. “I’m Like a Bird” singer Furtado
37. Hospital need
38. Go like hotcakes
39. Smoother
40. Is done
41. Soap boxes?
42. Give the ax?
Solution on page 6
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Call (815) 932-2541 for an appointment today!
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Jana Wahlen, AuD
DECEMBER 10, 2025
The Gathering (‘77)Edward Asner. < Baxter!
- Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Newswatch The 700 Club BaptistJeffressTurningRobert RobisonElevation ExaltedSingsation The Three Paid Prog. TNT 52 138 245 <++ Uncle Buck (‘89) John Candy. Road, NHL NHL on
Paxton,Kevin Bacon, Tom Hanks. <++ Ghostbusters: Afterlife (‘21)Carrie Coon. <++ The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
to Derry
Perfect Getaway Steve Zahn.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower <++ A Cure for Wellness (‘16)Jason Isaacs, Dane DeHaan.
Black (‘23) Anika Noni Rose, Michael Jai White. <+++ Fruitvale Station <+++ From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Movie
Schwarzenegger.
Patriot Games (‘92)Harrison Ford.
Uncommon Valor
K-19: The Widowmaker
THURSDAY PRIME TIME
DECEMBER 11, 2025
<+++ Ant-Man and The Wasp (‘18) Paul Rudd. <+++ Avengers: Infinity War (‘18, Action)Chris Hemsworth,Josh Brolin, Robert Downey Jr.. <+++ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (‘22) Letitia Wright. GOLF 67 401 218 GOLF Films Central LPGA LPGA PGA ChampionshipU.S. Open 2025 The Open HighlightsPGA 2025 Ryder Cu p U.S Open 2025 Highlights HALL 131 185 312 < Crown for Christmas < We Met in December (‘25)Autumn Reeser. < A Grand Ole Opry Christmas (‘25)Nikki DeLoach. Twelve "'Tis the Season" Twelve Dates < Holiday Hotline HGTV 41 113 229 Hunters Hunters Hunters Hunters HuntersHunters <++++ Father of the Bride (‘50) Spencer Tracy. HuntersHouse Hunters Hunters < Father of the Bride
HIST 40 120 269 The UnXplained The UnXplained The UnXplained The UnXplained The UnXplained The UnXplained The UnXplained The UnXplained LIFE 38 108 252 NCIS "Nine Lives" NCIS "Murder 2.0" NCIS "Collateral Damage" NCIS "Cloak" NCIS "Dagger" NCIS "Road Kill" NCIS "Silent Night" NCIS "Cloak" MSNBC 58 209 356 White House (L) (N) The Beat With (L) (N) The Weeknight (L) (N) All In With (L) (N) The Briefing (L) (N) Last Word (L) (N) 11th-Stephanie (L) (N) The Briefing MTV 60 160 331 Ridiculous Ridiculous Ridiculous Ridiculous <+++ Ted (‘12)Mila Kunis,Seth MacFarlane,Mark Wahlberg. <++ Ted 2 (‘15)Seth MacFarlane,Mark Wahlberg. <+++ Ted NICK 31 170 299 SpongeBob OddParents SpongeBob SpongeBob Loud HouseLoud House SpongeBobSpongeBob Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends FriendsFriends OXY 123 127 251 Dateline: Unforgettable Unforgettable "The Secrets of Birch View Dr ive" Unforgettable "The Haunted House Confession" (N) Dateline "Good & Evil" Unforgettable "The Haunted House Confession"
PARMT 49 241 241 Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two MenTwo Men <+ Grown Ups (‘10, Com)Kevin James, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler. <+ Grown Ups 2 (‘13)Kevin James,Chris Rock,Adam Sandler.
SYFY 160 122 244 <++ 2012 <+++ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (‘10) Daniel Radcliffe <+++ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (‘11) Daniel Radcliffe <++ 2012
TV
52 138 245 <++ The Replacements (‘00) Keanu Reeves. Dunkman "No Limits" (N) Dunkman (N) <+++ My Cousin Vinny (‘92) Marisa Tomei,Joe Pesci. <++ The Replacements
(‘12) Jerry Ferrara ,Michael Ealy. <+++ American Gangster (‘07)Denzel Washington. <+++ Casino (‘95, Cri) Sharon
(N)
historia de Juana (N) Noticias (L) (N) Noticiero (L)
Stone, Joe Pesci,Robert De Niro.
Sinners (‘25) Hailee Steinfeld,Michael B. Jordan. To Be Announced IT: Welcome to DerryTo Be Announced
Mummy (‘17) Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise. <++ Black Adam (‘22) Dwayne Johnson. <++ Tuesday (‘23) Julia Louis-Dreyfus. <+++ Lady Bird (‘17)Saoirse Ronan. Movie
Saving Private Ryan (‘98) Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore,Tom Hanks. <++++ The Godfather (‘72, Cri) Al Pacino, James Caan, Marlon Brando. <++++ The Godfather, Part II (‘74) Al Pacino.
The Survivalist (‘21) John Malkovich. <++ The Running Man
Virtuosity (‘95)Denzel Washington. <++ Get Rich or Die Tryin'
By Raye Smith TV Media
WHAT’S NEW ON DISNEY+
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians”Season 2
One boy’s epic quest continues in Season 2 of the family adventure series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” premiering Wednesday, Dec. 20, on Disney+. Based on the bestselling book series by Rick Riordan, the series finds young Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell, “The Adam Project,” 2022) being sheltered at Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demigod children, after the death of his mother. Discovering that he himself is a demigod, Percy, with the help of his new friends Annabeth (Leah Jeffries, “Beast,” 2022) and Grover (Aryan Simhadri, “Trevor: The Musical,” 2022), sets out on a quest to prove himself, confront his origins and pursue new enemies in search of the Underworld, hoping to find out whom he’s truly destined to be. Now, this second installment sees Percy returning to Camp Half-Blood one year later, only to find his world completely changed — including learning of his long-lost cyclops brother, Tyson (Daniel Diemer, “Under the Bridge”). Created by Riordan and Jonathan Steinberg (“Black Sails”), the series’ star-studded cast also includes Dior Goodjohn (“Are You Afraid of the Dark?”) and Charlie Bushnell (“Diary of a Future President”), alongside guest stars Tamara Smart (“The Worst Witch”), Rosemarie DeWitt (“Untamed”), LinManuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” 2020), Toby Stephens (“The Morrigan,” 2025), Courtney B. Vance (“Grotesquerie”), Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” 2021), Adam Copeland (“WWE Smackdown!”), Jason Mantzoukas (“Big Mouth”), Glynn Turman (“House of Lies”), Timothy Simons (“Veep”), Sandra Bernhard (“The King of Comedy,” 1978), Margaret Cho (“All-American Girl”), Kristen Schaal (“What We Do in the Shadows”), Beatrice Kitsos (“Are You Afraid of the Dark?”) and Aleks Paunovic (“Snowpiercer”).
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX
“Man vs. Baby”
An all new challenge presents itself in the comedy miniseries “Man vs. Baby,” premiering Thursday, Dec. 11, on Netflix. In the original iteration of the series, “Man vs. Bee,” Trevor Bingley (Rowan Atkinson, “Mr. Bean”) found what should have been a simple
job housesitting a high-tech mansion spiraling into disaster — thanks to the work of an irritating insect housemate. Leaving the stressful world of luxury housesitting behind for a quiet life as a school caretaker, “a lucrative offer to take care of a luxury London penthouse over Christmas proves too tempting to resist” (per Netflix). But, when his last day at school before the holidays lands him with a surprise companion in the form of an unknown baby, Trevor winds up in another chaotic housesitting situation as he works to take care of both the baby and the penthouse. Created and written by Atkinson and William Davies (“How to Train Your Dragon,” 2010), “Man vs Baby” is directed by David Kerr (“Johnny English Strikes Again,” 2018). The cast also includes Alanah Bloor (“Sandokan”) and Joseph Balderrama (“F1: The Movie,” 2025). Executive producers include Davies, Chris Clark (“The Guard,” 2011) and Kate Fasulo (“The Infiltrator,” 2016).
“Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft”Season 2
Diving back into more heart-pounding adventure, Season 2 of the animated series “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” premieres on Netflix Thursday, Dec. 11. While the debut season dug deep into adventurer Lara Croft’s (voiced by Hayley Atwell, “Agent Carter”) origin story, the new season sees Lara take steps toward bigger missions, building her into the iconic presence from the original Lara Croft: Tomb Raider video games and the subsequent live-action film franchise. With danger around every corner and some personal growth to boot, Lara and
her team grow as both individuals and together. From Legendary Television, the series is executive produced and written by Tasha Huo (“The Witcher: Blood Origin”). The series voice cast also includes Karen Fukuhara (“The Boys”), O-T Fagbenle (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Allen Maldonado (“Black-ish”) and Earl Baylon (“Arcane”).
WHAT’S NEW ON PRIME VIDEO
“Merv” (2025)
Whatever happens, you have to do it for the dog. In the new rom-com “Merv,” premiering Wednesday, Dec. 10, on Prime Video, former couple Anna (Zooey Deschanel, “New Girl”) and Russ (Charlie Cox, “Daredevil”) have only one thing keeping them attached: their beloved dog, Merv. But, with their new puppy co-parenting arrangement making it awkward and miserable for all involved, Merv seems to lose his spark. Whisking Merv away to Florida, Russ hopes that some sunny beach time can get his pup back on track. But, when Anna shows up unexpectedly, the pair work together to mend their dog’s broken heart — and find a few of their own sparks
rekindling along the way. From director Jessica Swale (“Summerland,” 2020), “Merv” is written by Dane Clark (“Mr. D”) and Linsey Stewart (“The Commute”). Chris Redd (“Power Book III: Raising Kanan”), Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), Ellyn Jameson (“Seven Days,” 2022), David Hunt (“24”), Jasmine Mathews (“The Rookie”), Victoria Blade (“Brockmire”) and Wynn Everett (“The Newsroom”) are also amongst the cast.
WHAT’S
NEW ON PARAMOUNT+
“Little Disasters”
Trust between friends gets put to the ultimate test in “Little Disasters,” premiering Thursday, Dec. 11, on Paramount+. A decade ago, Jess (Diane Kruger, “Inglourious Basterds,” 2009), Liz (Jo Joyner, “Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators), Charlotte (Shelley Conn, “Gen V”) and Mel (Emily Taaffe, “The Rising”) were just four expectant mothers thrown together with almost nothing in common apart from their due dates. Now, after years of supporting each other through the trials of motherhood, the group has become a unit of comfort of support for all in it. But everything begins to crumble when Jess, a picture-perfect stay-at-home mother, takes her baby daughter to the hospital with a head injury that can’t be explained. Liz, as the ER doctor on duty, is caught between friendship and obligation as she grapples with whether to contact social services. “With one call,” says Paramount+, “Liz sets in motion a chain of events that ripples, fractures and nearly destroys not only their families but their entire friendship group.” Created for the screen by Ruth Fowler (“Rules of the Game”), “Little Disasters” is based on the book of the same name by Sarah Vaughan. JJ Field (“Lost in Space”), Stephen Campbell Moore (“The Gold”), Patrick Baladi (“Breeders”), Ben Bailey Smith (“Persuasion,” 2022), Robert Gilbert (“Killing Eve”), Chizzy Akudolu (“Holby City”), Jax James (“Belgravia: The Next Chapter”) and newcomer Jago Bilderbeck also star.
Walker Scobell and Leah Sava Jeffries star in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”
Rowan Atkinson stars in “Man vs Baby”
Zooey Deschanel, Gus the dog and Charlie Cox star in “Merv”
DECEMBER
and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 <+++ Back to the Future (‘85) Michael J. Fox. <+++ Back to the Future Part II (‘89) Michael J. Fox. <+++ It
TBS 29 139 247 Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big BangBig Bang <+++ Shrek (‘01)Mike Myers. (P) Shrek <+++ Shrek 2 (‘04)Mike Myers. (P) Movie
501 132 256 <+++ Ocean's 11 <++ Marriage on the Rocks (‘65) Frank Sinatra. <+++
Movie <++ Black Adam (‘22) Aldis Hodge, Dwayne Johnson. <++ The Flash (2023, Action)Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon,Ezra Miller. <++ Aquaman (‘18)Amber Hea rd,Jason Momoa.
"Abandon Ships" 9-1-1 "Rock the Boat" WWE Friday Night SmackDow n (L) (N) <++ Violent Night (‘22)John Leguizamo,David Harbour. Movie VH1 61 162 335 Hip Hop "Sour
Scout Taylor-Compton. <++
(‘93) Robin Williams.
About the Benjamins (‘02)Ice Cube. <+++ From the World of John Wick: Ballerina <+++ Minority Report (‘02)Tom Cruise.
Welcome to Derry <+++ Girls Trip (‘17) Queen Latifah,Regina Hall. To Be Announced It' /To Be Announced
Más esc amoso que nunca (N) Noticias (L) (N)
(‘24) Andrew Garfield. <++ Spare Parts (‘15)George Lopez. <++ Queer (‘24) Drew Starkey, Daniel Craig. <+++ My Cousin Rachel (‘17) Rachel Weisz.
Edge of Seventee n <++ Scream 4 (‘11) Neve Campbell. < Guns Up (‘25) Kevin James. <+++ Snatch (‘00) Dennis Farina,Benicio del Toro. < Panama (‘22)Cole Hauser.
Ashur Spartacus: Ashur To Be Announced To Be AnnouncedSpartacus: Ashur (N) To Be Announced Spartacus: AshurTo Be Announced
The Great Debaters (‘07) Denzel Washington. <++ The Ring (‘02) Naomi Watts. <+ The Collector (‘09) Josh Stewart. < Wrong Turn (‘21)Charlotte Vega.
DECEMBER
SpongeBob SpongeBobSpongeBob SpongeBobSpongeBob SpongeBob SpongeBob SpongeBob < Movie
123 127 251 Dateline "The Undoing" Unforgettable "The Haunted House Confession" Violent Minds "Arthur Gary Bishop " Violent Minds "HiFi Killers" Violent MindsViolent Minds
PARMT 49 241 241 <+++ The Lincoln Lawyer (‘11) Marisa Tomei, Matthew McConaughey <+++ Top Gun (‘86) Kelly McGillis,Tom Cruise. <+++ Top Gun: Maverick (‘22) Miles Teller,Tom Cruise.
SYFY 160 122 244 <+++ The Black Phone (‘21) Ethan Hawke. <+++ Coriolanus (2011, Drama)Gerard Butler,Brian Cox,Ralph Fiennes. <+++ Back to the Future (‘85) Michael J. Fox. Movie
TCM 501 132 256 Movie Mystery <++ Tarzan's Desert Mystery Movie <+++ Bye Bye Birdie (‘63)
Astin.
Love LA
Materialists (‘25) Dakota Johnson. To Be Announced It' Movie
Sum Funeral < Spaceship Earth (2020, Documentary) < Knox Goes Away (‘23) Al Pacino,Michael Keaton. <+ Repo Men (‘10)Jude Law. < Valerian& the City of a Thousand P
Murphy. <+++
HRS. (‘82)Eddie Murphy,Nick Nolte. <+++ Braveheart (‘95, Hist) Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan,Mel Gibson. <++ Step Brothers Will Ferrell.
After Earth (‘13) Jaden Smith. Spartacus: AshurTo Be Announced
(‘13) Brad Pitt. (P)
(P)
DECEMBER
(‘10) John Cusack. <+ Hot Tub Time Machine 2
(‘15) Carla Gugino, Dwayne Johnson. Movie
of the Dead (‘04)Simon Pegg. Movie
Ashur
hollywood
By Adam Thomlison TV Media
Q: What’s the story Kathleen is reading in the storytime scene in “You’ve Got Mail”?
A: Would it surprise you to learn that the passage she’s reading — about some kids hiding a stinky dead mouse in a teacher’s candy jar — is actually from the memoir of 20th century literary icon? Though, to be fair, Roald Dahl was kind of an oddball as literary icons go.
In the storytime scene that also serves as rom-com “You’ve Got Mail’s” (1998) meet-cute moment, bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly (played by Meg Ryan, “Sleepless in Seattle,” 1993) is reading from “Boy: Tales of Childhood” by Roald Dahl.
Dahl is the author of such children’s classics as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
His memoir features exactly what it says on the cover — tales from his childhood, but told in the same tone he wrote his stories in. He gives them all Dahl-esque titles, and the vignette she’s reading in that scene is titled “The Great Mouse Plot.”
As is fitting for a film about a children’s bookstore owner, “You’ve Got Mail” is serious about its kid-lit credibility. Along with the Dahl excerpt, it also references a number of even more obscure titles.
For example, there’s a scene where Kelly tearfully helps a clueless staffer at her rival store find the names of “The Shoe Books” — a series of children’s novels written by Mary Noel Streatfeild starting in the 1930s. At another point, she
mentions the Betsy-Tacy books published in the ‘40s and ‘50s by Maud Hart Lovelace.
Q: Would Martin Freeman ever come back for a “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” sequel?
A: For the past 20 years, at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe there’s been a maitre d’ patiently repeating the phrase, “Freeman, table for four,” to no response.
Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” 2012) said years ago that there would be no sequel to his 2005 film “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” And, sadly, he was right.
“There isn’t [any possibility of a sequel] at this point,” he told MTV.com in 2007. “I found that out from the horse’s mouth, [director] Garth Jennings. I had dinner with him and he said it just didn’t do well enough.”
That’s hard for fans, because the film was obviously intended to kick off a franchise. It was based on one of the most popular book series of all time, and the film ended with Freeman’s character, Arthur Dent, en route to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, which happens to be the title of the next book in the series.
But Freeman admitted in that MTV interview that he was secretly pleased not to have to do another film, because he wasn’t ready to be tied to another series just yet.
“It’s kind of cool with me because I just got out of being Tim from ‘The Office.’ To go straight from that to being Arthur Dent for the next 12 years of my life wouldn’t have been too cool.”
He was, of course, referring to the original U.K. version of the hit sitcom “The Office,” on which he starred.
But he actually failed to avoid getting tied to another series. In the years since, he’s starred in three mega-budget “Hobbit” series (three films, in 2012, 2013 and 2014) and had a key role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (three films and a TV series from 2016 to 2023).
Q: Now that “What We Do in the Shadows” is over, what’s the actress who played Nadja doing?
A: Natasia Demetriou’s next project has her acting alongside an honest-to-goodness European royal. Her “What We Do in the Shadows” character would approve.
Demetriou is currently filming “Close Personal Friends,” a new comedy being produced for Amazon Prime Video, about a couple vacationing in Santa Barbara who end up making friends with a celebrity couple. Awkward hijinks ensue.
It has a star-studded cast, but the star getting the most media attention is Meghan Markle (“Suits”) — this film will be her first acting role since leaving the biz to marry Britain’s Prince Harry.
It’s also Demetriou’s first role since “What We Do in the Shadows” ended a year ago. The FX sitcom, on which she played an Eastern European vampire struggling with daily life in Staten Island, N.Y., transformed her from a sitcom support in the U.K. to a worldwide star. While she did “Shadows,” she managed to moonlight (solid vampire joke) on a number of other projects, including her own two-season sketch comedy series, “Ellie & Natasia,” in the U.K. She also maintained an ongoing role on “Stath Lets Flats,” a British sitcom starring her brother Jamie Demetriou (“Fleabag”).
