What's On Tonight (Friday): Time for Another Reacher Round (Giggity)...

     

Reacher

Today's Top Pick, the second season premiere of Amazon's Reacher, might be the best superhero series out there.  Because rest assured, it is most certainly a superhero show.  Reacher appears to have superstrength, super reflexes, super healing and is more than a match for any mere human that dares to stand in his way.  The basic concept of the show is, "What if Steve Rogers shunned the superhero lifestyle and decided to just drift from town to town helping people out?"  Oh, and "What if Steve Rogers had no compunction about killing bad guys?"

I very much enjoyed the first season, but that was mostly due to the cast and the great action scenes.  The storyline didn't make much sense (Reacher just happened to find himself in the same town where his estranged brother was murdered?) but it was fun.  The show can be kind of dumb and sometimes prizes emotional catharsis above realism (remember the dad who had never fired a gun but became a crackshot when saving his kids?).  But who watches shows like this for realism?

Unfortunately, the only returning regular cast member (new season, new town) is Alan Ritchson, who is pretty damn near perfect in the lead role.  Jack Reacher could easily come off as something of a psychopath if it wasn't for Ritchson's charisma and humor.  Hoepfully, the new season's supporting cast will be on par with season one.

But if that doesn't float your boat, we got other premieres today you might find more appealing.  We have the streaming premiere of the biggest movie of the year, a 23-year-later legacy sequel to an Aardman film, and more!  You should have plenty to watch this weekend in between Christmas shopping and complaining about Christmas shopping.

TOP PICK

⭐🔔 Reacher (Amazon, 12:01 AM) SEASON TWO PREMIERE. 'When the members of Reacher's old military unit start turning up dead, Reacher has just one thing on his mind — revenge.'

*Mark Wahlberg stars in yet another "suburban parent with a secret action-filled past" film with Apple's The Family Plan.  Michelle Monaghan plays his wife.  The director has mostly only done TV shows, though one of those shows is The Expanse (FUCK, YEAH!), so he's got that going for him.  I don't have Apple at the moment, but when I finally take advantage of one of the infinite number of "three months free" offers out there, I probably still won't watch this.

*Something I will be watching is the new Netflix series, Carol and the End of the World.  This series was created by Dan Guterman, who wrote for Community, The Colbert Report and Rick and Morty.  What interests me is the trailer feels absolutely nothing like any of those.  It has a lovely, melancholic quality to it that fits very well with the Steven Universe-esque animation style.  My only concern is that it might be a little too melancholy, but I'm willing to take that risk.

*Another show I'll be checking out is the BBC import, Such Brave Girls, which is streaming on Hulu.  I don't know anyone involved with this series either behind or in front of the camera, but the trailer made me laugh multiple times.  The first season is premiering today and it's only six episodes so I could be done with this before I go to bed tonight, though I doubt I'll have time between this, Carol and Reacher.

*The last premiere I want to highlight is the new Aardman film, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, streaming on Netflix.  Between this and last year's Pinochio and Wendell & Wild, Netflix seems to be cornering the market on stop motion animation.  I don't expect Dawn of the Nugget to hit the heights of those two films, but Aardman has been remarkably consistent over the years.  They might not always hit it out of the park, but their films and shows are always enjoyable and often hilarious.

PREMIERES

The Family Plan

🎥 The Family Plan (Apple, 12:01 AM) 'Dan Morgan loves his quiet suburban life as a devoted husband and father of three.  But decades earlier, he was an elite government assassin.  When enemies from his past track him down, Dan packs his unsuspecting family into their minivan and takes off on an impromptu cross-country road trip to Las Vegas.  Starring Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan.'

🔔 Such Brave Girls (Hulu, 12:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'Dysfunctional family sitcom following sisters Josie and Billie, and their single mother Deb as they navigate life armed with nothing but poor judgement and self-esteem exclusively tied to people who couldn't care less about them.'

🎥 Barbie (Max, 3:01 AM) STREAMING PREMIERE. 'To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you're a Ken.'

🔔 Carol & the End of the World (Netflix, 3:01 AM) LIMITED SERIES. 'As a planetary apocalypse looms, a woman struggling to embrace end-times chaos searches for meaning in her last months on Earth.

🎥 Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'A band of fearless chickens flock together to save poultry-kind from an unsettling new threat: a nearby farm that's cooking up something suspicious.'

🎥 Face to Face with ETA: Conversations with a Terrorist (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'Josu Urrutikoetxea, also known as Josu Temera, gives an exhaustive interview to journalist Jordi Evole about his involvement in the terrorist group ETA.'

🎥 Familia (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'As a family discusses the future of their treasure olive ranch over a meal, the complexity of their relationships emerges through laughs and confessions.'

🎥 Finestkind (Paramount, 3:01 AM) 'Tells the story of two brothers who are reunited as adults over a fateful summer. Set against the backdrop of commercial fishing, the story takes on primal stakes when desperate circumstances force the brothers to strike a deal with a violent Boston crime gang.'

💀 The Serial Killer's Wife (Paramount, 3:01 AM) 'Follows the lives of Beth Fairchild and her husband Tom.  One night, Beth's idyllic life is thrown into disarray when her husband is suddenly arrested for murder.'

🔔 Dress for Success (Tubi, 3:01 AM) 'Finding herself on the wrong side of a union battle, a refugee turned hotshot fashionista lawyer launches her own brand of designer philanthropy.'

🏠 Filthiest Flips (HGTV, 9:00 PM) 'From gross hoarder houses and vandalized nightmares, to homes infested with roaches, rats and every insect known to man, David Bromstad reveals the most dirty digs in HGTV's history that turned into total stunners.'

💖 Love After Lockup: Innocent After Lockup (WE, 10:30 PM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Every episode follows a different falsely accused exoneree who spent between 15 - 22 years in a maximum-security penitentiary and were subsequently proven innocent.'

🎭 Lookingglass Alice (PBS, 9:00 PM) 'A theatrical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's "Through the Lookingglass" is steeped in circus arts and acrobatics.'

🎄XMAS-RELATED CONTENT PREMIERES🎄

Yoh! Christmas

🎄🔔 Yoh! Christmas (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'Single, 30 and under pressure, Thando lies to her family that she has a boyfriend.  Now she has 24 days to bring one home for Christmas.'

🎄🧽 SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon, 7:00 PM) "A Very Patchy Holiday Stream Special"

🎄🎄 National Christmas Tree Lighting (CBS, 8:00 PM) SPECIAL PRESENATION. 'Mickey Guyton hosts the official tree lighting on the Ellipse in President's Park in Washington, D.C.; an all-star lineup of musical performers includes Darren Criss, Samara Joy and Ledisi.'

🎄🎄 The 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (CW, 8:00 PM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION. 'The annual Christmas parade features Hollywood celebrities, bands from across the U.S., character balloons, floats and performers; Paula Abdul is awarded the Humanitarian of the Year Award; retired Col. Paris D. Davis leads the parade.'

🎄🎥 The Secret Gift of Christmas (Hallmark, 8:00 PM) 'Bonnie is a personal shopper who helps her widowed client reconnect with his young daughter. Though their ideas of shopping couldn't be more different, she's determined to get them everything on their wish list.'

🎄🎥 The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs (Shudder & AMC+, 9:00 PM) "Joe Bob's Creepy Christmas"

RETURNING SHOWS

🔔 The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (CBS, 9:00 PM)

STREAMING

🚀 For All Mankind (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Leningrad" 

👹 Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Terrifying Miracles" 

🔨 First Time Fixer (Discovery+ & Max, 3:01 AM) 

💖 Love Island: Australia (Hulu, 3:01 AM) 

🔔 The Curse (Paramount, 3:01 AM) "The Fire Burns On" 

🔔 Fellow Travelers (Paramount, 3:01 AM) SEASON FINALE. "Make It Easy" 

😈 My Demon (Netflix, 8:01 AM) 

🔔 Undead Unluck (Hulu, 2:01 PM) 

Carol and the End of the World

LIVE SPORTSBALL TODAY/TONIGHT

🏈 College Football: FCS Division I Championship, Semifinal: Albany (N.Y.) at South Dakota State (ESPN2, 7:00 PM)

🏈 College Football: NCAA Division III: North Central (Ill.) vs. Cortland (ESPN2, 7:00 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs (ESPN, 7:30 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: New Mexico at New Mexico State (CBSSN, 9:00 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: New York Knicks at Phoenix Suns (ESPN, 10:00 PM)

🏀 College Basketball: Connecticut vs. Gonzaga (ESPN2, 10:00 PM)

🕗 EARLY PRIMETIME 🕗

🐷 Peppa Pig (Nick Jr., 7:00 PM) 'It's a snowy day, and Peppa's family build a snowman and an igloo; Mummy, Daddy, Peppa, and George go to the seaside; Grandpa Pig takes Peppa and George for a day on his boat; Peppa and her family take a sick Swift to the vet.' 

💲 Hey Yahoo! (GSN, 3:00 PM) 
😂 Ridiculousness (MTV, 7:00 PM) 
🎄🧽 SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon, 7:00 PM) 

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

🕗 8:00 EASTERN / 🕖 7:00 CENTRAL

🦈 Shark Tank (ABC, 8:00 PM) 'Good American CEO Emma Grede guest Sharks; an artisanal vegan cheese company; emergency underwear; a suitcase designed for wine bottles; an alternative to the traditional bra.' 

🔔 Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Starz, 8:00 PM) 'As paranoia sets in for Raq and Howard over the Task Force, Kanan and Famous launch their weed delivery business, Jukebox prepares for her audition, and Ronnie grows impatient with Unique.' 

🎄🎄 National Christmas Tree Lighting (CBS, 8:00 PM) 
🎄🎄 The 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (CW, 8:00 PM) 
🤼‍♂️ WWE's Friday Night Smackdown (Fox, 8:00 PM) 
🤠 The Last Cowboy (CMT, 8:00 PM) 
💰 Gold Rush (Discovery, 8:00 PM) 
🎄🎥 The Secret Gift of Christmas (Hallmark, 8:00 PM) 
🚗 Roadkill Garage (Motortrend, 8:00 PM) 
😂 Ridiculousness (MTV, 8:00 PM) 
💖 Ready to Love: Make a Move (OWN, 8:00 PM) 
🎄💀 Homicide for the Holidays (Oxygen, 8:00 PM) 
👮‍♂️ On Patrol: First Shift (Reelz, 8:00 PM) 
🏈 The World According to Football (Showtime, 8:00 PM) 

🕗 9:00 EASTERN / 🕖 8:00 CENTRAL

🔔 The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (CBS, 9:00 PM) 'Saluting excellence in daytime television at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles; Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner host; Susan Lucci receives her Lifetime Achievement Honors.' 

👽 The Unexplained (History, 9:00 PM) 'During World War II, a number of persistent mysteries were born, including unexplained stories about everything from lost gold to secret societies and highly advanced technology.' 

🎭 Lookingglass Alice (PBS, 9:00 PM) 
💀 Killer Cases (A&E, 9:00 PM) 
🤠 The Last Cowboy (CMT, 8:00 PM) SEASON FINALE. 
💰 Bering Sea Gold (Discovery Channel, 9:00 PM) 
🍴 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (Food, 9:00 PM) 
🏠 Filthiest Flips (HGTV, 9:00 PM) 
😂 Ridiculousness (MTV, 9:00 PM) 
🔔 Belle Collective (OWN, 9:00 PM) 
💀 Real Murders of Los Angeles (Oxygen, 9:00 PM) 
👮‍♂️ On Patrol: Live (Reelz, 9:00 PM) 
🎄🎥 The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs (Shudder, 9:00 PM) 
💖 Love After Lockup: Life After Lockup (WE, 9:00 PM) 
🔔 20/20 (ABC, 9:01 PM) 

Barbie

🕗 10:00 EASTERN / 🕖 9:00 CENTRAL

👽 The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd (History, 10:04 PM) 'From a headless chicken that lives over one year, to an out-of-this-world "celestial body" where it rains molten glass, the team explores the most astonishing bodies through these truly unbelievable stories.'

💀 Dateline NBC (NBC, 10:00 PM) 
🔔 Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO, 10:00 PM) SEASON FINALE. 
🚗 Super Street Garage (Motortrend, 10:00 PM) 
🤼‍♂️ All Elite Wrestling: Rampage (TNT, 10:00 PM) 
💀 Killer Cases (A&E, 10:01 PM) SEASON FINALE. 
💖 Love After Lockup: Innocent After Lockup (WE, 10:30 PM) 

LATE NIGHT

🔔 Mysteries of the Abandoned (Discovery Channel, 11:00 PM) SEASON FINALE. 'In the former Soviet Union, this theater and others like it were used to influence the minds of the masses; though its grand auditorium is now empty, the building still serves as a testament to the power of cinema.'

🔔 The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:34 PM) 'Actress Jessica Chastain; Alanis Morissette talks and performs; filmmaker Ken Burns.'

🔔 Late Night with Seth Myers (NBC, 12:35 PM) 'Actor Paul Giamatti; writer Andrew Moskos; comic Pep Rosenfeld; Bryan Carter sits in with the 8G Band.'

🤼‍♂️ All Elite Wrestling: Rampage (TNT, 11:00 PM) 
🔔 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS, 11:35 PM) 
🔔 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, 12:05 PM) 
🔔 Nightline (ABC, 12:37 AM)
🔔 The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS, 12:37 AM) 

📺Broadcast/Cable/Satellite - RETRO BINGE📺

The Andy Griffith Show (Sundance, 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM); Law & Order (Pop, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM); M*A*S*H* (TVLand, 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM); Roseanne (CMT, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM); Living Single (TVOne, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM); Hawaii Five-0 (Ion, 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM); South Park (Comedy Central, 10:10 AM - 2:00 PM); Gunsmoke (TVLand, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM); Seinfeld (Comedy Central, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM); The Andy Griffith Show (TVLand, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM); Family Ties (Antenna, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM); One Day at a Time (Antenna, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM); The Office (Comedy Central, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM); Three's Company (Antenna, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM); Everybody Loves Raymond (TVLand, 7:00 PM - 11:05 PM); The Jeffersons (Antenna, 8:00 PM -9:00 PM); Barney Miller (Antennae, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM); The King of Queens (TVLand, 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); Mom (TVLand, 2:00 AM - 3:36 AM); Benson (Antenna, 3:00 AM - 4:00 AM)

📺 Johnny Carson (Antenna, 10:00 PM) 'Bruce Dern; James Garner; Terry Galanoy; The Mighty Carson Art Players.'

Such Brave Girls

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

⭐: Top Pick
💲: Game show
🎥: Movie
📺: Throwback
✔️: Video/gif/photo included