What's on Tonight (Friday): A Mystery Wrapped in a Riddle Inside an Enigma..

 

Inside Job

I used to enjoy a good conspiracy theory, then the conspiracy theorists became scary, loud and numerous.  This week sees the premiere of the second season of Inside Job, a show that asks, "what if every conspiracy theory was true and there was an organization behind all of them?"  It's from the makers of Gravity Falls, and it very much feels like a kindred spirit to that series.  

Elsewhere...

*Disney+ has a sequel to the 2007 film, Enchanted, and the whole cast appears to be back.    Disney really seems all in on these legacy sequels.  If it worked for Hocus Pocus, what can't it work for?  I mean, Country Bears is just sitting there.

*Apple has a new take on A Christmas Carol starring Ryan Reynolds as the Scrooge stand-in and Will Ferrell as the Ghost of Christmas Present.  Your enjoyment of the film is probably predicated on your enjoyment of Reynolds and Ferrell's schticks.

*We have two films trying to get in on the Yellowstone craze: Murder at Yellowstone City and Disappearance in Yellowstone.  As far as I can tell, neither has any connection to the growing Yellowstone Cinematic Universe (YCU).  If I was Kevin Costner, I'd be ready to bust some skulls.

I've been making my way through the new season of Warrior Nun on Netflix.  I'm enjoying it, though it seems to be suffering from too much story and not enough episodes.  The first season had more room to breathe, but this one is extremely plot heavy.  The cast is still great, though the absence of Mary is definitely felt.  The show even introduces a new badass black nun late in the season, but she's barely even a character, and only serves to remind you how awesome Mary was.  Also, the big bad is kind of a snooze (reminds me of Vandal Savage on season one of Legends of Tomorrow, and that ain't a good thing).  All-in-all, the season has been a little disappointing, especially given how long we had to wait for it.  

TOP PICK

⭐🔔 Inside Job✔️(Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON TWO. 'Behind every conspiracy ever made is the deep state organization Cognito Inc, where anti-social tech genius Reagan Ridley works. Seen as the odd one out, Reagan is determined to make the world a better place, even if her irresponsible coworkers and father get in the way.'

PREMIERES

The People We Hate at the Wedding

🎥 The People We Hate at the Wedding✔️(Amazon, 12:01 AM) 'Family tensions ramp up among siblings in the week leading up to their half-sister's wedding in the country.  Starring Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Allison Janney and Kristen Bell.'

🐔 Interrupting Chicken (Apple, 12:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'Little red chicken Piper is a budding writer who uses her big imagination to rewrite stories, jumping into the action to create unforgettable adventures.'

🎥 Murder at Yellowstone City✔️(AMC+, 3:01 AM) 'A former slave arrives in Yellowstone City, Montana, a desolate former boomtown now on the decline, looking for a place to call home. On that same day, a local prospector discovers gold - and is murdered.'

🎥 Disenchanted✔️(Disney+, 3:01 AM) 'Ten years after her happily ever after, Giselle questions her happiness, inadvertently turning the lives of those in the real world and Andalasia upside down in the process.'

🎥 Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (Disney+, 3:01 AM) 'Once upon a time, there was a mouse.  Mickey Mouse is one of the most enduring symbols in our history.  Those three simple circles take on meaning for virtually everyone on the planet.'

🔔 Food Affair with Mark Wiens (HBO Max, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'Explores the abundant culinary treasures of Singapore with guests from fine dining chefs to hawker heroes. Mark has his work cut out for him since the city is home to more than 50 Michelin-starred establishments and over 60 Bib Gourmand entries, not to mention the abundant street food and hawker stalls that many frequent.'

🔔 Reign Supreme (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'From the projects to the largest venues in Paris, this series follows two teenage friends for life as they forge the birth and rise of French hip-hop.'

🎥 Slumberland✔️(Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'Joined by a larger-than-life outlaw, a daring young orphan journeys through a land of dreams to find a precious pearl that will grant her greatest wish.  Starring Jason Momoa.'

🔔 Somebody✔️(Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'When a software developer creates a dating app that a serial killer uses to find his next targets, she’s drawn into a dark world of romance and murder.'

🎥 The Violence Action✔️(Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'She's just a regular, sweet-looking college student by day. But by night, she's a part-time assassin — and she's about to face her toughest target yet.'

🍴 Emeril Cooks (Roku, 3:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'From piping hot beignets borne in the French Quarter, to icy cold sake made with Louisiana–grown rice, New Orleans’ unique blend of tradition and innovation is what fuels Emeril’s cooking. Each week on Emeril Cooks, we’ll meet a New Orleans local who sparks Emeril’s culinary imagination.'

🎥 Slash/Back (Shudder, 3:01 AM) 'Set in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, a sleepy hamlet nestled in the majestic mountains of Baffin Island in the Arctic Ocean.  The film opens as the village wakes up to a typical summer day. No School, no cool boys (well... except one), and 24-hour sunlight. But for Maika and her ragtag friends, the usual summer is suddenly not in the cards when they discover an alien invasion threatening their hometown.'

🎵 Behind the Beats (YouTube, 12:00 PM) 'Video series showcasing the processes behind making beats with DeezyOnThaTrack featuring other producers as well! This series will provide insight, tools, and new perspectives for upcoming producers!'

🎥 Disappearance in Yellowstone (LMN, 8:00 PM) 'Jessie must fight against all odds to escape from the police and track down her daughter before she's killed.'

🎵 Camilo: El Primer Tour de Mi Vida (HBO Latino, 10:00 PM) 'Covers the Colombian-born artist with the trademark handlebar mustache as he embarks on his first world tour — the “Mis Manos” tour — which was originally delayed due to the Covid pandemic.'

🎄CHRISTMAS (RELATED) PREMIERES/NEW🎄

Spirited

🎥🎄 Spirited✔️(Apple, 12:01 AM) 'Imagine Charles Dickens' heartwarming tale of a scrooge visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve - but funnier.  And with Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer.  Also, huge musical numbers.'

🎄 Best in Snow (Disney+, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'A festive holiday special, hosted by Tituss Burgess, featuring teams from around the world transported to a magical snowy village, Snowdome, and thrown into a spirited competition to compete for the title of Best in Snow. '

🎄 The Great British Baking Show: Holidays (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON FIVE. 

🎄 Martha Holidays (Roku, 3:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Martha details some of her go-to main dishes, sides, and desserts to serve to family and friends on the most special occasions. Not only will Martha teach you how to perfect each and every meal, but she'll also show you how to create a festive ambience thanks to her decorating tips, crafts, and gifting ideas.'

🎄 Josh Turner: King Size Manger (UPtv, 7:00 PM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'Turner will perform his unique interpretation of iconic holiday classics and originals from his first-ever Christmas album, King Size Manger, on a night promised to be festive and full of songs and celebration.'

🎥🎄 Inventing the Christmas Prince (Hallmark, 8:00 PM) 'Shelby is about to quit her job as a rocket engineer when her daughter becomes convinced that her Scrooge-like boss is a Christmas prince from a story.'

🎥🎄 A Country Christmas Harmony (Lifetime, 8:00 PM) 'Estranged country music duo and former sweethearts run into each other years later and are forced to shelter together during a storm but soon realize they can only survive the holidays with each other's help.'

🎄 Homicide for the Holidays (Oxygen, 9:00 PM)

RETURNING SHOWS

🔔 Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple, 12:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION.

🔔 Sago Mini Friends (Apple, 12:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENATION.

🔔 The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (Disney+, 3:01 AM) SEASON FINALE.

☕ The Cuphead Show (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON THREE.

🔔 Elite (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON SIX.

🔔 Blue's Clues & You! (Paramount, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION.

🤠 The Last Cowboy (CMT, 10:00 PM) SEASON THREE PREMIERE.

Disenchanted

STREAMING

🔔 The Peripheral (Amazon, 12:01 AM) 

🔔 Acapulco (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Hollywood Nights"

🔔 Central Park (Apple, 12:01 AM) SEASON FINALE. "The Brandenpire Strikes Back"

🦟 The Mosquito Coast (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Talk About the Weather"

🗡 Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Crushing It"

🔔 Shantaram (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Like in the Time of Cholera"

⚖ Judy Justice (Freevee, 12:01 AM) 

🔔 Play-Doh Squished (Freevee, 12:01 AM) 

🎨 Art in Bloom with Helen Dealtry (Discovery+, 3:01 AM) 

🔨 The Craftsman (Discovery+ & HBO Max, 3:01 AM) 

🔨 For the Love of Kitchens (Discovery+ & HBO Max, 3:01 AM) 

🍴 In the Kitchen with Abner and Amanda (Discovery+, 3:01 AM)

🍴 Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines (Discovery+ & HBO Max, 3:01 AM) 

🔨 Restoration Road with Clint Harp (Discovery+ & HBO Max, 3:01 AM) 

🔔 ¡García! (HBO Max, 3:01 AM) "Episode 5" 

🍰 The Great British Baking Show (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON FINALE. 

🔔 Martha Gardens (Roku, 3:01 AM) 

🥚 The Eggventurers (YouTube, 12:00 PM) 

🔔 Super Sema (YouTube, 12:00 PM)

👮‍♂️ Cops (Fox Nation, 6:00 PM) 

Somebody

SPORTSBALL TONIGHT/TODAY LIVE

🏌️‍♂️ PGA Tour Golf: RSM Classic, Second Round (Golf, 12:00 PM)

🏌️‍♀️ LPGA Tour Golf: CME Group Tour Championship, Second Round (Golf, 3:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic: Georgetown vs. Loyola Marymount (CBSSN, 4:30 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: UCF vs. Oklahoma State (CBSSN, 7:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Continental Tire Main Event: Virginia vs. Baylor (ESPN2, 7:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Myrtle Beach Invitational, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA (ESPNU, 7:00 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN, 7:30 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Shriners Hospitals Charleston Classic, Second Consolation Semifinal: Teams TBA (ESPNews, 7:30 PM)

🥊 One Championship Special (Amazon, 8:00 PM)

🏈 College Football: South Florida at Tulsa (ESPN2, 9:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: DePaul vs. Santa Clara (CBSSN, 9:30 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Continental Tire Main Event: Illinois vs. UCLA (ESPNU, 9:30 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Myrtle Beach Invitational, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA (ESPNU, 7:00 PM)

🥊 Bellator MMA: 288: Nemkov vs. Anderson 2 (Showtime, 9:00 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors (ESPN, 10:05 PM)

🏌️‍♂️ DP World Tour Golf: DP World Tour Championship, Third Round (Golf, 2:00 AM)

The Violence Action

MIDNIGHT

🎵 Tallboyz (Fuse, 12:00 AM) "Papa You Are My Dad"

EARLY PRIMETIME

💲 Tug of Words (GSN, 3:30 PM) 

💲 People Puzzler (GSN, 6:00 PM) 

🎄 Josh Turner: King Size Manger (UPtv, 7:00 PM) 

💲 America Says (GSN, 7:30 PM) 

🕗 8:00 EASTERN / 🕖 7:00 CENTRAL

🦈 Shark Tank (ABC, 8:00 PM) 'An artisan cheese delivery service; a product line designed to keep cars fresh; a stylish lighting kit for sports equipment; a solution designed to refresh and enhance all shaving needs.'

👮‍♂️ S.W.A.T. (CBS, 8:00 PM) 'When a cop on the verge of shutting down a major drug operation is abducted, Hondo and the squad race to save one of their own before it's too late; Luca grows concerned about sudden changes in Hicks' behavior.'

🔔 Penn & Teller: Fool Us (CW, 8:00 PM) 'Featured magicians include Gabriella Lester, Howard Blackwell, Horret Wu and Dr. Michael Rubinstein.'

🤼‍♂️ WWE's Friday Night SmackDown (Fox, 8:00 PM) 
🔔 Lopez vs. Lopez (NBC, 8:00 PM) 
💰 Gold Rush (Discovery, 8:00 PM) 
🔔 The Villains of Valley View (Disney Channel, 8:00 PM) 
🎥🎄 Inventing the Christmas Prince (Hallmark, 8:00 PM) 
🎥🎄 A Country Christmas Harmony (Lifetime, 8:00 PM) 
🎥 Disappearance in Yellowstone (LMN, 8:00 PM) 
💀 An Unexpected Killer (Oxygen, 8:00 PM) 
👮‍♂️ On Patrol: First Shift (Reelz, 8:00 PM) 
🔔 Young Rock (NBC, 8:30 PM) 

🕗 9:00 EASTERN / 🕖 8:00 CENTRAL

🎭 Next at the Kennedy Center (PBS, 9:00 PM) 'Celebrating the influence of Joni Mitchell with performances by Vince Mendoza, the National Symphony Orchestra, Renée Fleming, Lalah Hathaway, Jimmie Herrod, Raul Midón and Aoife O'Donovan.'

🔥 Fire Country (CBS, 9:00 PM) 'After a hiker falls from a steep cliff, Bode and Jake put aside their differences to make a daring rescue; Sharon reveals devasting news to Bode.'

🍴 Guy's Family Reunion (Food, 9:00 PM) 'Oyster and chicken po' boys; stuffed french toast; Mahi Mahi tacos; Outer Banks crab boil.'

😂 Whose Line is it Anyway? (CW, 9:00 PM) 
💀 Dateline NBC (NBC, 9:00 PM) 
💰 Gold Rush: White Water (Discovery, 9:00 PM) 
🔔 Raven's Home (Disney Channel, 9:00 PM) 
🔔 Vale dos Esquecidos (HBO Latino, 9:00 PM) 
👽 The Unexplained (History, 9:00 PM) 
🔨 Fixer Upper: The Castle (Magnolia, 9:00 PM) 
🎄 Homicide for the Holidays (Oxygen, 9:00 PM) 
🏈 A Football Life (NFLN, 9:00 PM) 
👮‍♂️ On Patrol: Live (Reelz, 9:00 PM) 
💀 Fatal Attraction: Last Words (TVOne, 9:00 PM) 
💖 Love During Lockup (WE, 9:00 PM) 
🔔 20/20 (ABC, 9:01 PM) 
🔨 Make Yourself at Home (Magnolia, 9:30 PM) 

Murder at Yellowstone City

🕗 10:00 EASTERN / 🕖 9:00 CENTRAL

👮‍♂️ Blue Bloods (CBS, 10:00 PM) 'Danny and Jamie clash over a gang-related shooting; Erin and Anthony search for answers when a lawyer in their office jeopardizes a case involving Erin's nephew; Frank grows concerned when he's not invited to speak at a policing forum.'

👽 The Proof is Out There (History, 10:03 PM) 'Whether ISS images signify an imminent alien invasion; whether kayakers encounter a lake monster in Washington or something worse; whether rats are joining forces to create a super rat collective; Tony Harris and his team dive into these claims.'

💀 Urban Legend (Travel, 10:00 PM) 'After her neighbor is brutally murdered, a woman installs a new security system in her home and adopts a doberman for protection; when her dog is rushed to the vet, she's left alone to outwit the murderer, who is now targeting her.'

🤠 The Last Cowboy (CMT, 10:00 PM) 
💰 Gold Rush: The Dirt (Discovery, 10:00 PM) 
🔔 Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO, 10:00 PM) SEASON FINALE. 
🎵 Camilo: El Primer Tour de Mi Vida (HBO Latino, 10:00 PM) 
🔨 The Home Team with Britt and Annie (Magnolia, 10:00 PM) 
🤼‍♂️ All Elite Wrestling: Rampage (TNT, 10:00 PM) 

LATE NIGHT

🔔 The Graham Norton Show (BBC America, 11:00 PM) 'Graham is joined by rock legend Bruce Springsteen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anna Maxwell Martin, and Mo Gilligan. With music from Florence and the Machine.'

🔔 Late Night with Seth Myers (NBC, 12:37 PM) 

🤼‍♂️ All Elite Wrestling: Rampage (TNT, 10:00 PM) 
🔔 The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:34 PM)
🔔 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, 11:35 PM) 
🔔 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS, 11:35 PM)
🔔 The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS, 12:37 AM)
🔔 Nightline (ABC, 12:37 AM) 

Broadcast/Cable/Satellite - RETRO BINGE

📺 The Andy Griffith Show (Sundance, 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM); Knight Rider (Syfy, 6:00 AM - 10:11 AM); The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (VH1, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM); Roseanne (CMT, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM); ER (Pop, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM); Living Single (TVOne, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM); M*A*S*H* (TVLand, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM); South Park (Comedy Central, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM); Hawaii Five-0 (Ion, 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM); Gunsmoke (TVLand, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM); Law & Order (Sundance, 1:00 PM - 2:00 AM); Seinfeld (Comedy Central, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM); House (Pop, 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM); Family Ties (Antenna, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM); The Office (Comedy Central, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM); One Day at a Time (Antenna, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM); Three's Company (Antenna, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM); The Jeffersons (Antenna, 8:00 PM -9:00 PM); Everybody Loves Raymond (TV Land, 8:00 PM - 11:05 PM); Barney Miller (Antennae, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM); King of Queens (TV Land, 11:05 PM - 2:00 AM); Designing Women (Antenna, 11:30 PM); Becker (Antenna, 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM); Wings (Antennae, 1:00 AM - 2:00 AM); Alice (Antenna, 2:00 AM - 3:00 AM); Benson (Antenna, 3:00 AM - 4:00 AM); Mom (TV Land, 2:00 AM - 4:00 AM)

📺 Johnny Carson (Antenna, 10:00 PM) 'George Burns; Michael Constantine; Rodney Dangerfield; Shana Alexander.'

Slumberland

Key Sources: The Futon Critic; Zap2it; Netflix; Wikipedia; Horrornews.net; Sysfy.com; hollywoodreporter.com

⭐: Top Pick
💲: Game show
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📺: Throwback
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