The Making of Trump
This timely new two-hour special takes a look at how a kid from Queens took New York City by storm, survived two failed marriages and several failed businesses and managed to reinvent himself as a pre-eminent U.S. cultural icon — not to mention a presidential hopeful. Included is rarely seen footage from Donald Trump’s interviews with Phil Donahue and his comments about politics from the floor of the 1988 Republican convention. Celebrities, politicians, and people described as “close to The Donald” weigh in. (History)
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Chris Hemsworth — who stars in the Ron Howard-directed movie In the Heart of the Sea, about a whaling ship destroyed by a mammoth whale back in 1820 — returns as guest host of this new episode. Given the actor’s other big-screen identity as Thor, it’s entirely possible that an Avengers skit will factor in — which would give the current SNL regulars some costumed fun. The musical guest is Chance the Rapper. (NB, Global)
MOVIE: BECOMING SANTA
Former Family Ties TV spouses Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter reunite to play Santa and Mrs. Claus in this 2015 Christmas fantasy about a toy inventor, Connor (Jesse Hutch), who is stunned when his girlfriend, Holly (Laura Bell Bundy), takes him home to meet her parents: the aforementioned Mr. and Mrs. C. Overwhelmed by the revelation, Connor considers whether he’s ready to take the relationship to the next level — particularly since it would mean he would be next in line to be Santa. (Lifetime Canada)
MOVIE: THE REF
A cat burglar (Denis Leary) takes a wealthy Connecticut family hostage over the Christmas holidays, but soon finds the cantankerous clan almost more than he can handle. Ted (nephew of Jonathan) Demme’s 1994 black comedy was largely overlooked during its initial release, but terrific performances by Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis make this a must-see. (Much)
MOVIE: THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
A flying squirrel shows a young reindeer — who believes his longlost father was part of Santa’s airborne sleigh team — how to soar into the sky in this surprisingly dark, emotionally complex 2008 animated special from Finland. The voice cast includes Emma Roberts (Scream Queens) and Saturday Night Live alum Norm MacDonald. (CBS)
ROSEWOOD
Finding the perpetrator becomes a personal mission for Rosewood and Villa (Morris Chestnut, Jaina Lee Ortiz) after an ex-con is murdered in the repeat episode Necrosis and New Beginnings. Dreams disturb Villa to the point she feels compelled to do something about it. Rosewood’s romance with Kat (guest star Nicole Ari Parker) shifts gears. Adrian Pasdar and Merle Dandridge (The Night Shift) also guest star, as does Fox News Channel reporter Anita Vogel. (Fox)
MOVIE: MARY POPPINS
Julie Andrews earned an Oscar for her portrayal of the P.L. Travers-created, practically perfect nanny who arrives mysteriously — via parasol — on the doorstep of the Banks household and loosens up the family with her magical charm. Merging live action and animation, the Walt Disney-produced 1964 musical features such well-known songs as A Spoonful of Sugar and Chim Chim Cher-ee. Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns and Ed Wynn also star. (ABC)