Originally posted Sunday, December 22, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
The next two weeks are the quietest of the year for new TV shows. So I end up highlighting episodes of “Life Below Zero” and “Dr. Pimple Popper.”
At least Netflix is willing to throw some big shows out there, including season two of “You” and “Lost in Space” as well as a reality show featuring Kevin Hart.
Otherwise, it’s slim pickings. Fox has a dating show with the catchy title “Flirty Dating.” And Showtime has documentaries about New Order and Duran Duran on the same night.
This covers Monday, December 23 through Sunday, December 29, 2019.
MONDAY
"The Price is Right at Night" 8 p.m. CBS — Seth Rogan joins in on the fun.
"His Dark Materials" 9 p.m. HBO (first season finale) — Lyra unravels a plot after a secret organization kidnaps her friend.
"The Christmas Caroler Challenge" 9 p.m. the CW (first season finale) — Ratings have been horrid.
"Holiday Baking Challenge" 9 p.m. Food (sixth season finale) — Jesse Palmer challenges the remaining bakers to make a Christmas morning brunch.
"Food Network Challenge" 10 p.m. Food (sixth season finale) — Challenge celebrates one of the most-beloved holiday films of all time, A Christmas Story. Host Ian Ziering welcomes four competitors, and there's no shortage of "Oh ffffudge!" moments on this wild ride.
TUESDAY
"Lost in Space" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (season two debut) — After crash-landing on an alien planet, the Robinson family fights against all odds to survive and escape. But they're surrounded by hidden dangers.
"Christmas Cookie Challenge" 9 p.m. Food Network — There's no hiding when Eddie Jackson tasks five of America's best cookie makers with creating Christmas character masks made of cookies.
"A Christmas Story" 8 p.m. TBS (24-hour marathon) — "I triple-dog-dare ya!" to watch all 24 hours!
"The Dead Files" 9 p.m. Travel —Steve and Amy travel to Indianapolis, where a couple claims dark forces are wreaking havoc on their lives.
"Generation Renovation" 11 p.m. HGTV — Eve Plumb of "The Brady Bunch" fame in a pilot.
CHRISTMAS DAY
"Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers" 8 p.m. ABC — Christmas basketball against the two top Western Conference performers..
"When Calls the Heart" 8 p.m. Hallmark — Intertwined stories explore the emotions and holiday magic that connect residents of Hope Valley.
"Call the Midwife" 9 p.m GPB — Mother Mildred and the Nonnatus House team go to the Outer Hebrides in response to a nursing shortage.
"Life Below Zero" 9 p.m NGC — The hazardous winters in the arctic put Alaskans in danger.
"Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda" 9 p.m NGC — A man is brutally gunned down in the middle of the street.
THURSDAY
"The App" 3:01 a.m. Netflix — An app takes over a woman's phone and her life.
"You" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (second season debut) — The stalker moves to Los Angeles, creates a new name and finds a new mark: heiress and chef Love Quinn.
"Dr. Pimple Popper" 9 p.m. TLC — Taylore is a beautiful, young woman with unsightly elf-like bumps on her ears. Jose never goes out because of the baseball-sized lump on his head. Ken is covered in painful bumps that make it difficult to do everyday things.
"The Great American Baking Show" 9 p.m. ABC — It's pastry and cookie week.
FRIDAY
"The Gift" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (news series)— In an Anatolian ruin, an archaeologist finds a mysterious link to a young painter (Beren Saat), who embarks on a quest to uncover secrets in her past.
"Kevin Hart: Don't F**k This Up" 3:01 a.m. Netflix — Comedy star Kevin Hart documents turbulence in his career and marriage while building his brand, uplifting his team and doing damage control.
"Popstar's Best of 2019" 9 p.m. the CW —Host Elizabeth Stanton counts down the greatest and most memorable moments and trends of 2019, based on polls from Popstar Magazine.
"Duran Duran: There's Something You Should Know" 9 p.m. Showtime — A documentary about the 1980s New Wave band.
"My Days of Mercy" 10 p.m. Starz — While attending her father's trial, a woman named Lucy crosses paths with Mercy, a lawyer, and the two begin a cautious relationship. Tension between the two develops as Lucy staunchly opposes the death penalty while Mercy is in favor of it.
WEEKEND
"Deadly Hollywood Obsession" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — After saving 10-year-old Jack from an attempted kidnapping, Casey is hired by the boy's famous father Sam to be Jack's home-school teacher.
"Flirty Dancing" 8:01 p.m. Sunday Fox (new series) — Our first two singles will perform a different choreographed routine with each of two potential love interests, before choosing the one with whom he/she has the strongest connection.
"Cake Off: New Year's Eve" 9 p.m. Food — Duff Goldman rings in the New Year with a special edition of Cake-Off: New Year's Eve as four professional bakers from around the country compete in unconventional baking and design challenges where flavor is only the tip of the icing.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Cynthia Bailey is ecstatic to continue building her entrepreneurial empire, opening a wine cellar for Atlanta wine enthusiasts.
"Shameless" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Debbie weighs the pros and cons of a new career path; Frank uncovers the truth about Faye's living situation, and miscommunication between Ian and Mickey has disastrous consequences.
"Married to Medicine" 9:15 p.m. Sunday Bravo — The cast gathers to tackle the highlights of the season.
"Dare Me" 10 p.m. Sunday USA (new series) — The arrival of the starry new cheer coach Colette French threatens Addy and Beth's tight bond.
"The L Word" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Dani is forced to get involved in Bette's personal life; Shane grapples with a big decision, and a newspaper profiles Alice.
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