copyright BBC America
So this is the week where we really start struggling to find good stuff on the regular TV dial. But never fear! I shall help you find something nice to wrap presents to…
Monday, Dec. 19th
6:30pm – X-Play (G4)
7pm – Attack of the Show (G4)
8pm – Terra Nova [FOX] (Season Finale)
Everything comes to a head in the two-hour finale as the 11th Pilgrimage and Phoenix Group make their moves.
8pm – The Horsemen [IFC] (Movie With Commercials)
Dennis Quaid plays a cop investigating a rash of serial killings with ties to a biblical prophecy.
8:30pm – A Chipmunk Christmas [ABC] (Animated, Repeat)
Alvin sets out to help a sick boy in this 1981 special. Features several classic Chipmunks songs.
8:30pm – The Incredibles [ABC Family] (Animated, Movie With Commercials)
Everything you’d want from a Fantastic Four movie but will probably never get.
9pm – VH1 Divas Celebrate Soul [VH1]
Ok, so it’s totally an odd suggestion, admittedly, but I’m a vocal nerd and I’m guessing there’s more of you out there too. Singers include Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Florence and the Machine, Anita Baker, Mavis Staples, Jessie J and Jill Scott.
11pm – Conan [TBS]
Seth MacFarlane (‘Family Guy,’ ‘The Cleveland Show’) is one of the guests.
11pm – Population 436 [Syfy] (Movie With Commercials)
Jeremy Sisto stars as a census taker visiting a town where the population hasn’t changed for 100 years. Obviously strange things are afoot at the Circle K.
12:35am – Late Night With Jimmy Fallon [NBC]
Jeremy Renner stops in to talk ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’ and most likely Jimmy will ask about ‘Avengers.’ Also, Rooney Mara appears to promote ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.’
Hulu Spotlight: He-Man & She-Ra Christmas Special
One of my favorite, more odd holiday specials from my childhood. Somehow two Earth children get involved in the Eternia/Etheria shenanigans. Also one of the prime examples of “Holiday Cheer Melts Bad Guy’s Heart.” Good times.
Tuesday, Dec. 20th
6:30pm – X-Play (G4)
7pm – Attack of the Show (G4)
8:30pm – The Amazing World of Gumball [Cartoon Ntwk] (Animated, Repeat)
Features an out-of-control prank role between Darwin and Gumball and Dad. It’s one of my favorites.
10pm – Conan [TBS]
Patton Oswalt!
10pm – Teeth [IFC] (Movie With Commercials)
Indie black comedy/thriller about a young lady who has teeth in an unusual place. Don’t expect any tameness since it’s airing on IFC who, despite succumbing to commercial interruptions, doesn’t edit much beyond that.
10pm – The Manhattan Project [Fox Movie Channel] (Movie)
A high schooler builds a thermonuclear device as a science project in this 80s classic.
11pm – Alien Apocalypse [Syfy] (Movie With Commercials)
Bruce Campbell and Renee O’Connor (Gabriele from ‘Xena’) star as astronauts who return to Earth to find it taken over by aliens and attempt to free humanity. But really, I had you at Bruce Campbell.
Wednesday, Dec. 21st
6:30pm – X-Play (G4)
7pm – Attack of the Show (G4)
8pm – The Santa Clause [ABC Family] (Movie With Commercials)
8pm – How The Grinch Stole Christmas [Cartoon Ntwrk] (Animated)
9pm – Nova [PBS] (Repeat)
This episode, titled “What Darwin Never Knew,” takes an in-depth look at evolutionary development and studies the Cambrian explosion that resulted in the first major groups of animals half-a-billion years ago.
9pm – Elf [USA] (Movie With Commercials)
This is not the first nor will it be the last time you’ll be able to see this Wil Farrell classic between now and the 26th.
10pm – American Horror Story [FX] (Season Finale)
I would suggest you prepare to be creeped out.
Hulu Spotlight: The Office (UK) Christmas Special Part 1 & Part 2
Thursday Dec. 22nd
6:30pm – X-Play (G4)
7pm – Attack of the Show (G4)
7pm – Earth 2050: The Future of Energy [Discovery]
Per TV Guide’s online listing, “Three films on innovations in fuel, mobility and cities are featured.”
8pm – Viking Apocalypse [National Geographic]
Despite sounding like a Syfy Movie of the Week, really this about the investigation of a mass burial pit containing 51 Viking raider remains found in England in 2009. They were brutally slain somewhere between 910 and 1030 but by whom and what exactly happened? *cue mysterious music*
8pm – The Thin Man [Turner Classic Movies] (Movie)
The 1934 classic is the first of a series of comedy/mystery flicks featuring married sleuths Nick and Nora Charles (played by William Powell and Myrna Loy). Also stars Maureen O’Hara (probably best known for ‘The Parent Trap’) and Cesar Romero (Joker on the 60s ‘Batman’ series).
9pm – Batman Forever [Syfy] (Movie With Commercials)
This movie will forever hold a place in my heart for the line, “Hole-y rusted metal, Batman!”
9:45pm – After The Thin Man [Turner Classic Movies] (Movie)
Liked the first flick? Lucky for you they’re having a mini-marathon of Nick and Nora Charles adventures…
11pm – The Stranger [Spike] (Movie With Commercials)
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin stars as a badass amnesiac with the FBI and Russian mob chasing after him.
11:45pm – Another Thin Man [Turner Classic Movies] (Movies)
The third in the film series (and this marathon), Nick and Nora investigate a series of murders “at a Long Island estate.”
Friday, Dec. 23rd
7pm – Attack of the Show (G4)
7pm – Batman: The Brave and the Bold [Cartoon Ntwk] (Animated, Repeat)
8pm – Chuck [NBC] (MUST WATCH)
Stan Lee guest stars on this holiday themed episode that has Chuck and Sarah try to figure out who’s out to get them this time as Ellie tries to have a perfect Christmas.
8pm – Olive, The Other Reindeer [CW] (Animated)
A dog, who believes she’s a reindeer, seeks out Santa to join his sleigh. Stars the voices of Drew Barrymore, Joe Pantoliano, Dan Castellenta, Ed Asner, Peter MacNicol, and Jay Mohr.
8pm – Young Guns [AMC] (Movie With Commercials)
10pm – Sanctuary [Syfy]
Magnus is asked to negotiate a peace treaty between Caleb’s forces and the governments of the surface.
10:30pm – Young Guns II [AMC] (Movie With Commercials)
11pm – X-Men Anime [G4]
11:30pm – Iron Man Anime [G4]
12:35am – Late Night With Jimmy Fallon [NBC]
The Muppets!
Saturday, Dec. 24th
1pm – Batman [Reelz] (Movie With Commercials)
The Michael Keaton/Tim Burton flick that helped legitimize comic book adaptations.
1:30pm – Jackie Chan’s Project A [IFC] (Movie With Commercials)
Jackie Chan stars as a cop trying to bust pirates in 1900s Hong Kong in this 1983 action/comedy. Also stars Sammo Hung and features stunts reminiscent of silent comedies and their stars (like Buster Keaton).
4pm – Outlander [Syfy] (Movie With Commercials)
It’s like “Beowulf” from space – Jim Cavieziel plays an extraterrestrial warrior who crashes in Norway of Olde and helps Viking hunt a monster.
4pm – Alvin and the Chipmunks [FX] (Movie With Commercials)
It is both charming and disconcerting.
4pm – In The Good Old Summertime [Turner Classic Movies] (Movie, Musical)
Before Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks traded email, Judy Garland and Van Johnson feuded and fell in love through letters. Both are remakes of “The Shop Around The Corner” which itself was based on a play. Hazzah for trivia!
4:15pm – Sahara [TNT] (Movie With Commercials)
Matthew McConaughey amd Steve Zahn star as treasure hunters looking for a ship buried in the desert. It’s not Shakespeare but it’s fun.
5:45pm – Sunshine [IFC] (Movies With Commercials)
Danny Boyle’s flick about a group of scientists who voyage to the sun in an attempt to revive it in 2057. Stars Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, and Chris Evans among others.
6pm – Big [Fox Movie Channel] (Movie)
The Tom Hanks classic.
7pm – Steve Niles’ Remains [Chiller] (Movie With Commercials)
In case you need a little blood and guts before the family arrives. Or you can watch with your family depending on how you roll.
7pm – The Sound of Music [CBS] (Movie With Commercials, Musical)
Settle in, this puppy has a runtime of 4 hours….
7:06pm – Jaws [Spike] (Movie With Commercials)
Not the happiest of holiday fare but sometimes you just need to see a giant shark terrorizes a small seaside town…
8pm – Doctor Who: Best of The Christmas Specials [BBC America]
A host of famous Whovians discuss some of the more awesome highlights from Specials past.
8pm – A Christmas Story [TBS] (Movie With Commercials)
And so begins the now annual marathon of this Yueltide classic. It’ll run for at least 24 hours so you have plenty of opportunities to catch it.
9pm – The Nerdist: Year In Review [BBC America] (MUST WATCH)
Chris Hardwick hosts his podcasts 2011 wrap up with appearances by Wil Wheaton and Nathan Fillion among others.
9pm – The Fifth Element [Syfy] (Movie With Commercials)
Leeloo multipass.
10pm – The Graham Norton Show [BBC America]
The Doctor Who fest continues as Matt Smith is one of the guests on this holiday special.
11:30pm – Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! [BBC America]
Did you miss this earlier in the week? Here’s a great opportunity to catch it – it’s got Neil Gaiman!
12am-5:30am – Bleach [Cartoon Ntwrk] (Anime, Dubbed, Repeat)
Need something to keep you alert while you’re wrapping last minute packages or prepping for travel? Here is a sampling of recently aired eps that actually feature fight scenes.
Sunday, Dec. 25th
All Day – The Outer Limits [Chiller] (Repeats, Original Series)
All Day – A Christmas Story [TBS] (Movie With Commercials)
All Day – Home Alone [Fox Movie Channel]
Not to be outdone, FMC has 24-hours of Kevin giving criminals potentially fatal head injuries. Maybe next year will get ‘Die Hard’ on repeat…
11am-11pm – Mythbusters marathon [Discovery Channel]
11:58pm – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom [USA] (Movie With Commercials)
“Cover your heart, Indy!”
2:33pm – Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade [USA] (Movie With Commercials)
This is my favorite Indy movie and possibly my favorite flick with Sean Connery in it. Love, I have it.
6pm – Shrek [Cartoon Ntwk] (Animated, Movie With Commercials)
8pm – How The Grinch Stole Christmas [ABC] (Animated, Repeat)
8:30pm – Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas [ABC] (Movie With Commercials)
Back to back versions of Grinch for those so inclined.
8:45pm – House Party [IFC] (Movie With Commercials)
Rappers Kid ‘n Play star as a pair of high school kids trying to throw a party while one’s parents are out of town. Hijinks ensue and I love that they’re showing this flick. Also stars Tisha Campbell, Martin Lawrence, and three members of Full Force. Repeats at midnight.
9pm – Doctor Who [BBC America] (MUST WATCH)
The Christmas special is titled “The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe.” Oh, this will be enjoyable. Replays at 11:20pm with the “Best of Christmas Specials” re-airing in between.
9pm – Leverage [TNT] (MUST WATCH)
It’s a nerd du force as Emma Caufield (Anya on ‘Buffy’) and David Odgden Stiers (‘Dead Zone’ the series, Cogsworth in ‘Beauty and the Beast’) guest stars and Jonathan Frakes directs this ep which features an elaborate “sweetheart” scamming ring. Repeats at midnight.
9:30pm – Powerpuff Girls Holiday Episodes [Boomerang] (Animated, Repeat)
11pm – Merlin [Syfy] (Repeat)
Six-episode marathon to catch you up before the new season starts in January.
