The Week ’s guide to what’s worth watching
Trevor Noah: Where Was I
Trevor Noah has been a busy guy since leaving The Daily Show. The South African comedian’s latest stand-up special, filmed at Detroit’s Fox Theatre, is built around stories of his recent world travels. Hilarious bits include a survey of national anthems and a tale of a German sightseeing trip that goes horribly wrong. Tuesday, Dec. 19, Netflix
The Christmas Break
In this formulaic but amusing holiday comedy, Justin Long and Normal People’s India Mullen co-star as Jack and Caroline, a married couple who travel to the Irish town of Caroline’s upbringing to spend the holiday with family. A debate over whether or not they’re ready for kids, and the presence of her handsome pub-owning ex, put the future of their relationship to a test. Thursday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m., Fox
Dr. Death
Call it Doctors Without Scruples. The second season of this fine adaptation of a hit medicalmalpractice podcast recounts the real-life story of Paolo Macchiarini, an Italian doctor who earned renown for his groundbreaking use of synthetic tracheas in transplant surgeries. An American journalist who fell in love with Macchiarini wound up exposing the patient deaths and fabricated research behind Macchiarini’s apparent triumphs. Edgar Ramírez and Mandy Moore costar. Thursday, Dec. 21, Peacock
Rebel Moon: Part One—A Child of Fire
Zack Snyder has left the Snyderverse for a faraway galaxy. Following a decade-long run of making DC superhero movies, the director is delivering the first installment of a two-part
$165 million science-fiction epic once pitched as a Star Wars spin-off. It’s set on a remote moon, where a mysterious outsider named Kora has started a new life in a peaceful farm village. When the village is threatened by an oppressive military regime, she becomes its sole hope for survival and rallies a team of warriors to its defense. Two versions will be released—one PG-13, the other an extended R-rated cut. Thursday, Dec. 21, Netflix
Extended Family
Jon Cryer and Donald Faison are getting back into the network sitcom biz. In this new scripted comedy series, Two and a Half Men’s Cryer plays Jim, a divorced father of two who is helping raise the kids by trading shifts in the family home with Julia, his ex-wife. The unusual arrangement is further complicated when Julia becomes romantically involved with the owner of Jim’s favorite NBA basketball team, played by Scrubs’ Faison. Abigail Spencer co-stars. Saturday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m., NBC
Other highlights Maestro
Bradley Cooper’s celebrated Leonard Bernstein biopic, which focuses on the conductor’s complicated 27-year marriage to actress Felicia Montealegre, makes its streaming debut. Wednesday, Dec. 20, Netflix
Nature: Santa’s Wild Home
A journey to Lapland captures the stunning landscape and overall magic of the Finnish locale fabled to be the home of Saint Nick. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic
A two-hour tribute marking the 98th birthday of screen legend Dick Van Dyke will mix testimonials, song and dance performances, and archival footage from the actor’s seven-decade career. Thursday, Dec. 21, at 9 p.m., CBS