San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
HOLIDAY TV
“Home Sweet Home Alone”: This new addition to the popular Christmas film franchise shines, courtesy of a wonderfully comedic cast. The young protagonist here is a mischievous British kid named Max (Archie Yates), who’s accidentally left behind by his vacationing family. The house invaders he confronts are a far cry from the burglars of the original “Home Alone.” They’re a husband and wife who are convinced the boy, who visited during an open house, absconded with a priceless heirloom. Their aim is to break into his abode and reclaim their property. He determinedly tries to keep them at bay with a powerful water gun and other toys. It’s silliness at its finest thanks to giggle-inspiring performances by Ellie Kemper (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Rob Delaney (“Catastrophe”) and Kenan Thompson of “SNL” fame. Streaming on Disney+.
“School of Chocolate”: It would be a cruel and unusual Christmas without chocolate treats in my stocking. Making this chocoholic salivate even more is this eight-episode reality show devoted to cocoa confections — from rich, gooey pastries to mind-blowing event showpieces. A giant chocolate pterodactyl, anyone? A candelabra made entirely of chocolate? Nothing is too difficult for world-renowned chocolatier Amaury Guichon, whose aim is to help eight chefs take their skills to the next level. The student deemed “Best in Class” is awarded a prize package worth $100,000. Streaming on Netflix.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”: For laugh-out-loud merriment and irreverent fun, nothing beats visiting the home of Clark and Ellen Griswold (Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo) during the holidays. A house filled with difficult in-laws and extended family can be tough, but thanks to Clark’s comically unwavering optimism, the movie’s wonderfully silly sight gags and a dream cast adept at squeezing the most out of funny situations, this classic from 1983 is a ball to watch. Streaming on HBO Max.
“One Last Time: An Evening
with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga”:
This concert may not be devoted to Christmas tunes, but the grandeur, glamour and warmth brought to the stage by these friends and collaborators is so full of heat and heart that it feels like the holidays. Filmed at two sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall in late summer to celebrate Bennett’s 95th birthday, the concert features the legend in a tux and the diva in glittery gold as they celebrate life and perform both duets and solo songs that honor their shared love of great American standards. 7 p.m. today, CBS; also streaming on Paramount+.
“The Waltons: Homecoming” : The story is simple but satisfyingly poignant. Aspiring writer John Boy, played memorably by Logan Shroyer (“This is Us”), tries to hold the family, including his five siblings, together as they worriedly await the expected return of husband
and father John Walton (Ben Lawson) on Christmas Eve amid radio warnings of an impending storm. Bellamy Young, who portrays mom Olivia, said she was thrilled to participate in a movie that promotes family and camaraderie in the wake of the pandemic. “Our world, not just our country, is coming out of such a lonely, lonely time, a time of fear and solitude,”
Young said. “The chance to put some gentleness and kindness in the world just seemed so lovely.” 7 p.m. today, The CW.
“The Toys that Built America”: Ever wonder how some of this country’s most enduring playthings came to be? This fascinating, four-part docuseries explores the origins of the iconic Slinky, Frisbee, Barbie, Hot Wheels cars and that moldable material packaged in a plastic egg, Silly Putty. Against the backdrop of major events in American history such as the Great Depression and World
War II, and blending dramatic re-enactments with interviews, this nostalgic gift to the kid in all of us showcases visionaries such as the Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley and Ruth Handler, who transformed a small toy company into the billion-dollar empire known as Mattel . 8 p.m. today, History Channel.
“Annie Live!”: Young Celina Smith, who stars as the curlyhaired orphan, is joined by “Empire’s” Taraji P. Henson as scheming Miss Hannigan and Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks in this ebullient new version of the musical. Live from New York, this holiday event comes from the same team that produced NBC’s award-winning musicals “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Hairspray Live!” The songs are so infectious that you’ll be singing “It’s the Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow” for days. And, yes, there is a yuletide component. Look for the catchy group song “A New Deal for Christmas” toward the end. 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 20, NBC.
“A Christmas Dance Reunion”: This enchanting movie, set at a picturesque holiday haven of a hotel, twirls around the central theme of reclaiming dreams as it reunites “High School Musical” vets Monique Coleman and Corbin Bleu. Romance blossoms between their characters as they hope to rescue the dying inn that played such a big part in their younger years. While many seasonal tales highlight song, this one showcases modern dance, and the movements of Bleu and Coleman dazzle as they rehearse and ultimately perform together in a show for the hotel’s thoroughly captivated guests. 7 p.m. Dec. 3, Lifetime.
“Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues”: For pure spectacle, great tunes and sexy dance moves, you can’t miss with the woman some have crowned the queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey. Watch her perform the new single “Fall in Love at Christmas,” a new rendition of fan favorite “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and, of course, her beloved holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Kirk Franklin and Khalid add to the merriment. Dec. 3, Apple TV+.
Barbara Stanwyck double feature: First, treat yourself to smiles and laughter via the madcap holiday classic “Christmas in Connecticut.” Stanwyck plays a thoroughly citified magazine writer and confirmed bachelorette. She can’t even boil an egg, yet she has lied to the millions of readers of her popular food column about being a hardworking farm wife and excellent cook. The jig seems to be up when her boss (Sydney Greenstreet) invites himself, along with a returning war hero (Dennis Morgan), to her fictional country home for a traditional family Christmas. Next up, Stanwyck at her most luminous stars in Preston Sturges’ “Remember the Night.” She plays a stylish shoplifter longing for the love she never got as a child. A sympathetic attorney (Fred MacMurray) takes her to his loving family home for the holidays . “Connecticut,” 3:15 p.m.; “Remember,” 5:15 p.m. Dec. 12, TCM.
“The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”: Round up the kiddos and gather ’round the TV for a magical 90-minute production that revives the art of storytelling with the added plus of a rousing Tchaikovsky score. This reimagining of the composer’s holiday crowd-pleaser “The Nutcracker” was conceived by conductor John Mauceri and is based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s original story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Told by actor Alan Cumming, whose narration is a pleasing mix of mischievous humor and high drama, and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, this tale answers questions left hanging by the beloved ballet. It’s fun, festive and fantastical, and best of all, it has a girl saving a prince for a change. 8 p.m. Dec. 14, PBS.
“With Love”: This five-part original is set during five different holidays, starting with Christmas and New Year’s. It combines saucy romantic comedy with heartfelt drama and reflects today’s sensibilities by embracing a variety of relationships — straight, gay and bisexual. Created by Gloria Calderon Kellett (“One Day at a Time”), each of its hours follows the
Diaz siblings, Lily and Jorge, as they embark on a mission to find love, purpose and happiness while engaging in familial celebrations with a MexicanAmerican flair.