Wednesday TV: NBC’s ‘Hairspray Live!’
The live broadcast musical is practically a fixture of holiday programming , and this year’s stab, “Hairspray Live!” (NBC, 8 p.m.) may actually succeed in part because of its starry…
Tuesday TV: Van Jones to the Heartland
Van Jones was one of the most articulate voices of resistance following the election. Tonight he goes to the heartland to try and discuss what voters were thinking in “The…
Review: ‘The Second Shepherds’ Play’
Falstaff had the girth and beard to make for a decent Santa, but Shakespeare never wrote anything close to a Christmas play. Which might pose a problem for Folger Shakespeare…
Monday TV: President Obama Sings Carols
If only to hear President Obama join Chance the Rapper on “Jingle Bells,” it may be worth tuning into the “National Christmas Tree Lighting” (Hallmark, 7 p.m.). The annual event…
Stage Review: New Austen Holiday Sequel
When every theater company feels compelled to do something Christmas-themed come December, it can lead to either overusing certain titles or creating fluffy trifles. One great addition to regional theaters,…
Sunday TV: Is Mariah Carey Interesting?
Mariah Carey taps into her inner Anna Nicole Smith to make her first reality series “Mariah’s World” (Bravo, 9 p.m.). She promoted the series last summer before the press carried…
Saturday TV: Christmas Angel Overload
Among holiday performances, it’s already time for this: Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” (NBC, 8 p.m.) with Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and the rest. Marking its 70th anniversary, surely…
Playlist, 12-2-16
Began with some Crystals and moved to its unsung occasional lead singer Darlene Love. Then to a couple of new albums from a couple of old rockers -- The Rolling…
Friday TV: TCM Myrna Loy Salute Begins
A month-long, 61-film, Friday night salute to Myrna Loy, who made movies over seven decades in Hollywood, from 1925 to 1980, begins on Turner Classic Movies with some of her…
Thursday TV: Two Baking Competitions
Mary Berry may have left “The Great British Bake Off” that made her a culinary star, but she’s still a part of the U.S. version, “The Great American Baking Show”…