What's On Tonight (Friday): Bebop ba duba dop ba du bop ba duba dop...

 

via Tenor

The reviews are in on the live action Cowboy Bebop and... well... they're not great.  I mean, they're not terrible, but they could have been better.  I only started watching the original this week because I've heard how great it is for years and I figured if I want to watch the live action one I should probably watch the original first.  I'm only a few episodes in and I'm enjoying it.  The main question I have so far regarding the new series is this: isn't John Cho a little old to be playing Spike?  I know Cho hasn't aged much in 20 years but it doesn't change the fact that original Spike is 27 and very much acts like it.  I'm curious to see how Cho will make that work.

Elsewhere we've got a movie about Venus and Serena that's all about their dad for some reason, a Wheel of Time adaptation that is only getting slightly better reviews than Bebop, an Oasis concert documentary that I'm sure will appeal to someone somewhere and the usual glut of Netflix, Apple and Discovery+ movies, specials and series.

Oh, and Lifetime and Hallmark are still battling each other for Christmas supremacy, but this week Netflix and Discovery+ are entering the fray.  Buckle up folks.  The holiday holocaust is just getting started.

TOP PICK(s)

🚀 Cowboy Bebop✔️ (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE.  'A ragtag crew of bounty hunters chases down the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. They'll save the world ... for the right price. A live-action series.;

PREMIERES

🔔 Everybody Loves Natti (Amazon, 12:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'Although Natti Natasha has amassed billions of views on YouTube (and over 75 million devoted social media followers), the new Amazon Original reality series marks the first time she's shared the intimate details of her personal life, including her relationship with her manager, Raphy Pina. Together, they navigate her latest album NATTIVIDAD, life in Miami with their newly blended family, her dreams of worldwide recognition, and a surprise baby on the way.'

⏰ The Wheel of Time (Amazon, 12:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it, the story follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.'

🔔 Harriet the Spy (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Set in 1960s New York when the original book was published, "Harriet the Spy" follows the outspoken and perpetually curious 11-year-old Harriet M. Welsch. More than anything, Harriet wants to be a writer, and in order to be a good writer, she'll need to know everything. And to know everything means she'll need to spy ... on everyone!'

🔔 The Line (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) LIMITED SERIES. 'A new four-part, limited documentary series that examines the unprecedented 2018 case in which a U.S. Navy SEAL platoon accused its chief, Eddie Gallagher, of war crimes.'

🎥 Prisoners of the Ghostland (AMC+, Shudder, 3:01 AM) 'In the treacherous frontier city of Samurai Town, a ruthless bank robber (Nicolas Cage) is sprung from jail by a wealthy warlord, The Governor (Bill Moseley), whose adopted granddaughter Bernice (Sofia Boutella) has run away. Strapped into a leather suit that will self-destruct within five days if he doesn't find the missing girl, the bandit sets off on a journey to find the young woman -- and his own path to redemption.'

🎅 Candy Coated Christmas (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'Molly Gallant was counting on seed money from her father to help launch an exciting new venture with her best friend. However, just as she and her dad are supposed to be jetting off to Hawaii for their annual Christmas trip, Molly learns that the family business is facing bankruptcy. The only way to recoup the funds she needs is to sell her late mother’s childhood home in the town of Peppermint Hollow, Washington: the “Peppermint Capital of the World.”'

🍴 From the Source (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'Award-winning chef and restaurateur Katie Button explores the origins and stories behind different delicious ingredients. She also shares her knowledge of cooking techniques to inspire others to be more curious, creative and joyful cooks.'

🔔 Good with Wood (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'Mel Giedroyc rules the workshop as woodworking enthusiasts battle it out to be Britain’s best woodworker. They’ll build wonderful works that combine epic scale with fine craftsmanship in order to impress the judges and stay in the competition.'

🔨 The Established Home (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'Designer Jean Stoffer takes on some of her most ambitious projects to date around her hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. She shares the inspiration behind her stunning designs, as well as the important role family plays in her life and business.'

🍴 The Katie Button Project (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Award-winning chef and restaurateur Katie Button explores the origins and stories behind different delicious ingredients. She also shares her knowledge of cooking techniques to inspire others to be more curious, creative and joyful cooks.'

via Gyfcat

'🎥🎾 King Richard (HBO Max, 3:01 AM) 'Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California's neglected tennis courts--rain or shine--the girls are shaped by their father's unyielding commitment and their mother's balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. Based on the true story that will inspire the world, "King Richard" follows the uplifting journey of a family whose unwavering resolve and unconditional belief ultimately delivers two of the world's greatest sports legends.'

👻 Hellbound (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'As otherworldly beings suddenly appear around the world and condemn individuals to hell, a religious group propagates the idea of divine justice.'

'🎥 Procession (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'Six men who were sexually abused by Catholic clergy as boys find empowerment by creating short films inspired by their trauma.'

🎥 Dhamaka (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'When a cynical ex-TV news anchor gets an alarming call on his radio show, he sees a chance for a career comeback — but it may cost him his conscience.'

🎥 Extinct (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'Two cute, fuzzy creatures accidentally time-travel to the future... where they're extinct! Can this doughnut-shaped duo save their species?'

🎥 Love Me Instead (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'Accompanied by a ward, a prisoner travels to his hometown to reconnect with his daughter and make amends, but a tragic truth mars his journey.'

🎥 Tick, Tick... Boom! (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'On the brink of turning 30, a promising theater composer navigates love, friendship and the pressure to create something great before time runs out.'

🎥 Oasis Knebworth 1996 (Paramount+, 3:01 AM) 'On 10th & 11th August 1996, 250,000 young music fans converged on Knebworth Park to see Oasis play two record breaking, era defining shows. The landmark concerts sold out in under a day with over 2% of the UK population attempting to buy tickets.  Oasis Knebworth 1996 is the story of that weekend and the special relationship between Oasis and their fans that made it possible. It is told through the eyes of the fans who were there, with additional interviews with the band and concert organisers. Directed by Jake Scott from extensive concert and exclusive never before seen footage, this is a joyful and at times poignant cinematic celebration of one of the most important concert events of the last 25 years.'

💀 Dying for a Good Grade (LMN, 8:00 PM) 'Wanting to ensure she gets into a great college, a student becomes involved in an admission scandal at the urging of her best friend. When the police close in on the ringleader and the student and her mother want to get out, things turn deadly.'

🔔 Lost Tombs of the Maya (Science, 8:00 PM) 'One of history's most remarkable Mayan civilizations remains shrouded in mystery as archaeologists embark on a groundbreaking expedition for answers; using technology, experts reveal unexplained secrets behind the downfall of an ancient society.'

via Imgur

RETURNING SHOWS

🔔 The Great (Hulu, 12:01 AM) SEASON  2. 'The Great is a satirical, comedic drama about the rise of Catherine the Great from outsider to the longest reigning female ruler in Russia's history. A fictionalized, fun and anachronistic story of an idealistic, romantic young girl, who arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the mercurial Emperor Peter. Hoping for love and sunshine, she finds instead a dangerous, depraved, backward world that she resolves to change. All she has to do is kill her husband, beat the church, baffle the military and get the court onside.'

🔔 Stath Lets Flats (HBO Max, 3:01 AM) SEASON 3. 'Stath is a Greek-Cypriot lettings agent, working at the family business in North London. His eccentric dad Vasos is desperate to retire, and Stath is desperate to prove he can run the business when that happens. The only problem is Stath is rubbish at letting flats.'

🔔 The Mind, Explained (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON 2. 'Ever wonder what's happening inside your head? From dreaming to anxiety disorders, discover how your brain works with this illuminating series.'

🦸‍♂️ Teen Titans Go! (Cartoon Network, 8:00 PM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION.  "A Doom Patrol Thanksgiving"

BATTLE FOR CHRISTMAS: THE BATTLE CONTINUES

🎅 Home Town: Ben's Holiday Workshop (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) ONE-HOUR SPECIAL PRESENATION. 'In Home Town: Ben’s Holiday Workshop, Ben Napier (HGTV’s Home Town) will welcome father-daughter duo Captain Sig and Mandy Hansen from Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch to make special wood creations just in time for Christmas. Ben also will team up with dancer and TV personality Stephen “tWitch” Boss and his wife, Allison Holker Boss, host of Design Star: Next Gen, to build an interactive wall display for a local children’s center play space.'

🎅 Blown Away: Christmas (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. ''Tis the season for five returning artists to fill the hot shop with festive designs. One will win cash for the stocking — a merry Christmas indeed!'

🎅 Nantucket Noel (Hallmark, 8:00 PM) 'Tensions rise when a woman falls for the son of a developer who wants to tear down the wharf that is home to her toy store.'

🎅 Dancing Through the Snow (Lifetime, 8:00 PM) 'A viral video turns a devoted single father into the world's most eligible bachelor, but he only has eyes for his 8-year-old daughter's ballet teacher.'

via Gif Abyss

STREAMING

⚽ Maradona, Blessed Dream (Amazon, 12:01 AM) TBA

🔔 Acapulco (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) "Time After Time"

🔔 Dickinson (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) "Sang from the Heart, Sire"

🔔 Dr. Brain (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) "Chapter 3"

🚀 Foundation (Apple TV+. 12:01 AM) SEASON FINALE. "The Leap"

👽 Invasion (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) "Hope"

🌞 The Morning Show (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) SEASON FINALE. "Fever"

🔔 The Shrink Next Door (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) "The Fundation"

🔔 Swagger (Apple TV+, 12:01 AM) "All on the Line"

🔔 90 Day: The Single Life (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) TBA

👻 Eli Roth Presents: A Ghost Ruined My Life (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) SEASON FINALE.  "The White Lady"

👮‍♂️ Cops (Fox Nation, 9:00 PM) TBA

🍰 The Great British Baking Show (Netflix, 3:01 AM) TBA

🔔 Home Sweet Home (Peacock, 3:01 AM) "We Use a Lot of Shampoo"

via Giphy

SPORTS TONIGHT*

 

🏀 College Basketball: Myrtle Beach Invitational, Semifinal: Teams TBA (ESPN2, 5:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Liberty at Iona (ESPNU, 5:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Weber State at Ball State (CBSSN, 5:30 PM)

🥇 US Olympic Trials: Curling (NBCSN, 6:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Charleston Classic, Semifinal: Teams TBA (ESPN2, 7:00 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics (ESPN, 7:30 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Teams TBA (ESPNU, 7:30 PM)

🏈 College Football: Southern Mississippi at Louisiana Tech (CBSSN, 8:00 PM)

🏈 College Football: Memphis at Houston (ESPN2, 8:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Wichita State at Arizona (ESPNU, 10:00 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns (ESPN, 10:05 PM)

🏈 College Football: San Diego State at UNLV (CBSSN, 11:30 PM)

*Sporting Events Are Subject To COVID-Related Postponements.

EARLY PRIMETIME

💲 Chain Reaction (GSN, 5:00 PM) "Bar Buddies vs. Araujo Family"

👩‍⚖️ Power of Attorney: Don Worley (ID, 5:00 PM) "The Case of the Too Hot Pepper"

🦆 The Fowl Life With Chad Belding (Outdoor, 5:00 PM) "Consequences of Thirst"

🐶 Paw Patrol (Nick, Jr., 5:30 PM) "Pups Save the Dizzy Dust Express; Pups Save the Treetop Trekkers"

💲 People Puzzler (GSN, 6:00 PM) "California Dreamin'"

 

🔔 Santiago of the Seas (Nick Jr, 6:30 PM) "Deep Freeze; The Trojan Seahorse"

🔔 The Adventures of Paddington (Nick Jr, 7:00 PM) "Paddington's Space Adventure; Paddington's Blackberry Adventure"

🔔 SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon, 7:00 PM) "Something Narwhal This Way Comes; C.H.U.M.S"

🔔 Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years (Nickelodeon, 7:30 PM) "Midnight Snack Attack; Hot Pearl-tato"

via Tenor

🕗 8:00 EASTERN / 🕖 7:00 CENTRAL

🦈 Shark Tank (ABC, 8:00 PM) 'Daniel Lubetzky guest sharks; an innovative cleaning alternative for every household; a reinvention of a childhood favorite; a surprising approach to skin care; an update on Dude Wipes.'

🔔 Penn & Teller: Fool Us (CW, 8:00 PM) "Rock Paper Magic!"

🤼‍♂️ WWE Friday Night Smack Down (Fox, 8:00 PM)

🔔 The Wall (NBC, 8:00 PM) "Melvin and Meredith"

🐟 Treehouse Masters: Ultimate Builds (Animal Planet, 8:00 PM) "The Horseshoe House"

🤠 The Last Cowboy (CMT, 8:00 PM) "Horse Power"

💰 Gold Rush (Discovery, 8:00 PM) "Big Red, Big Gold"

🔔 Sydney to the Max (Disney, 8:00 PM) "Pie Hard"

🔔 Gabby Duran &the Unsittables (Disney, 8:30 PM) "Magic Hours"

🕗 9:00 EASTERN / 🕖 8:00 CENTRAL

🎭 Great Performances (PBS, 9:00 PM) "San Francisco Symphony Reopening Night"

🕵️‍♀️ Magnum, P.I. (CBS, 9:00 PM) "A New Lease on Death"

🕵️‍♀️ Nancy Drew (CW, 9:00 PM) "The Gambit of the Tangled Souls"

💀 Dateline NBC (NBC, 9:00 PM) "Infamous"

🔔 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (CMT, 9:00 PM) "Everybody Needs a Dream"

💰 Gold Rush: White Water (Discovery, 9:00 PM) TBA

🍴 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network, 9:00 PM) "Tacos, Tots and Chops"

👽 The Unexplained (History, 9:00 PM) "The Search for the Ark of the Covenant"

💀 48 Hours on ID (ID, 9:00 PM) "Scott Peterson: Case in Question"

👻 Most Terrifying Places in America (Travel, 9:00 PM) "Doomed Destinations"

💖 Love After Lockup (WE, 9:00 PM) "Life After Lockup: I Plead the Fifth"

🔔 20/20 (ABC, 9:01 PM) "Escape From a House of Horror -- A Diane Sawyer Special Event"

via Pinterest

🕗 10:00 EASTERN / 🕖 9:00 CENTRAL

👮‍♂️ Blue Bloods (CBS, 10:00 PM) "USA Today"

🔔 Tha God's Honest Truth With Charlamagne tha God (Comedy Central, 10:00 PM) "Is Capitalism CAP?"

🔔 The New York Times Presents (FX, 10:00 PM) "Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson"

🔔 Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO, 10:00 PM) SEASON FINALE.

🕵️‍♀️ Killing Gucci: People Magazine Investigates (ID, 10:00 PM) 'The name Gucci is synonymous with glamour, but in 1995 the fashion world is shocked when the one-time heir to the family dynasty is gunned down; a two-year investigation reveals a family at each other's throats and a murder plot made for Hollywood.'

🧟‍♂️ Day of the Dead (Syfy, 10:00 PM) "The Lady Birders of Nepa"

🤼‍♂️ All Elite Wrestling: Rampage (TNT, 10:00 PM) 'Fresh off their incredible matches at the exciting Full Gear pay-per-view event, both Darby Allin and Bryan Danielson are in action; TBS Title Tournament continues with Jade Cargill facing Red Velvet.'

LATE NIGHT

🔔 The Graham Norton Show (BBC, 11:00 PM) 'Graham is joined by Lady Gaga, Josh Gad, Nadiya Hussain, Will Smith and Rod Stewart.'

🔔 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:34 PM) 'Actress Whoopi Goldberg; singer Karol G; Dry Cleaning performs.'

🔔 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, 11:35 PM) 'Actor Ryan Reynolds; actor Will Ferrell; Science Bob; Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris perform.'

🔔 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS, 11:35 PM) 'Actor and comic Kevin Hart; Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform.'

🔔 Nightline (ABC, 12:37 AM) 

🔔 The Late Late Show With James Corden (CBS, 12:37 PM) 'Actress Taraji P. Henson; author Gabrielle Union; Jake Wesley Rogers performs.'

🔔 Late Night With Seth Meyers (NBC, 12:37 PM) 'Podcast host Sarah Silverman; comic Gary Gulman; podcast host Mark Ronson; Elmo Lovano sits in with the 8G Band.'

Broadcast/Cable/Satellite - RETRO Binge

📺 The Andy Griffith Show (Sundance, 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM); The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (VH1, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM); ER (Pop, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM); Roseanne (CMT, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; M*A*S*H* (TVLand, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM); Living Single (TVONE, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM); Hawaii Five-0 (Ion, 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM); Family Matters (TVOne, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM); Friends (TBS 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM); Gunsmoke (TVLand, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM); Law and Order (Sundance, 1:00 PM - 2:00 AM); House (Pop, 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM); Barney Miller (Antenna, 8:00 & 8:30 PM); Everybody Loves Raymond (TV Land, 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM); The Jeffersons (Antenna, 9:00 & 9:30 PM); King of Queens (TV Land, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM); Coach (Antenna, 11:30 PM) 

📺 Johnny Carson (Antenna, 10:00 PM) 'Host David Letterman; actor James Garner; actress Ellen Burstyn; Rod Dornsife.'

via Tenor

More TV Listings: The Futon Critic; Zap2it

Key Sources: The Futon Critic; Zap2it; Netflix; Wikipedia; Horrornews.net; Sysfy.com; hollywoodreporter.com
⭐: Top Pick
💲: Game show
🎥: Movie
📺: Throwback
✔️: Video/gif/photo included