What's On Tonight (Friday): Ribald Rivals Rivaling Ribaldly...

    

Rivals

We have seventeen premieres and eight returning shows today, including the return of the entire CBS Friday night line-up.  My recently departed Uncle was a big fan of Blue Bloods and Tom Selleck in general.  That gives the show a special place in my heart, but not special enough to assign it Top Pick.

That honor goes to Hulu's new limited series, Rivals, which I had originally assumed is yet another Ryan Murphy produced piece of garbage, but it has nothing to do with the prolific producer.  This series is about two men played by David Tennant (Doctor Who) and Aidan Turner (Being Human) who produce TV shows in 1986 and their intense competition with each other.  Along the way there are sexy shenanigans.  You had me at "David Tennant," but sexy shenanigans sounds fun too.

TOP PICK

⭐🔔 Rivals (Hulu, 12:01 AM) LIMITED SERIES. 'Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, "Rivals" delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986.'

Elsewhere...

*Amongst this week's bounty is Netflix's Woman of the Hour starring and directed by Anna Kendrick.  The film is based on the true story of a woman who was on an episode of The Dating Game in the 70s, and one of the men competing for her is a serial killer.  If you're concerned whether first-time director Kendrick can direct, according to the film's 92% Fresh rating, she bloody well can.

*Hallmark begins its annual Countdown to Christmas tonight with the premiere of 'Twas the Date Before Christmas.  It's hard to believe that in all the years Hallmark has been making crappy Christmas movies about professional women who just need a man they have never produced a film with this exact title.  Remember when Hallmark Hall of Fame made for TV movies were a big deal?  Does Hallmark?

*It's Florida, Man premieres on HBO tonight.  It has a similar format to Drunk History (am I the only one who misses Drunk History?) with real people telling crazy but true Florida stories that are then reenacted.  It boasts some pretty decent guest stars like Juliet Lewis, Anna Faris and Randall Park.  I assume this will be on Max as well (better be, some of us don't have cable).

*NBC premieres the new Bonnie Raitt Reba McEntire sitcom, Happy's Place.  The premise of the series is Reba's father dies and leaves his bar to Reba and a much younger sister she didn't know about.  You can probably guess where it goes from there.  It looks cheap and terrible like most multi-camera network sitcoms.  It'll run for 20 years.

PREMIERES

Blue Cave

🎥 Blue Cave (Amazon, 12:01 AM) 'Tells the heartfelt story of Cem, a naval officer, and his wife, Alara. After promising to visit a mysterious blue cave together, Cem embarks on the journey alone. As he ventures through the cave, he reflects on his relationship with Alara, uncovering truths that lead to a surprising revelation about the enduring power of love.'

🎥 Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara (Hulu, 12:01 AM) ' Tegan and Sara's world turned upside down when Tegan's personal files were hacked in 2011, revealing the dark side of fame and fandom. This is a sprawling yet intimate story of how Tegan's identity was stolen and weaponized in a complex catfish scheme to ensnare members of this community.'

🎥 Snakes and Ladders (Amazon, 12:01 AM) ' Four school kids—Gilly, Irai, Sandy, and Bala find themselves inadvertently entangled in a criminal situation. Along their journey, the group encounters a cascade of challenges, each more formidable than the last, testing their resolve and ingenuity at every turn.'

🎥 Maxxxine (Max, 3:01 AM) STREAMING PREMIERE. 'In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.'

🔔 The Sancho Case (Max, 3:01 AM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Documentary series about the crime of Daniel Sancho, sentenced to life imprisonment in Thailand for the premeditated murder of Edwin Arrieta in 2023.'

🔔 Happiness Is (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'Turning forty was meant to be a low-key event for Princess, but when her best friend throws her an unforgettable party, her entire world is shaken up.'

🎥 The Man Who Loved UFOs (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'After receiving a tantalizing but questionable invitation, fearless entertainment journalist José de Zer, together with his trusted cameraman Chango, heads out to a small town in the province of Córdoba to report on a mysterious circle that has appeared on some farmland in the hills.'

🎥 The Turnaround (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'A devoted Philadelphia Phillies fan inspires his city to give a struggling shortstop a game-changing standing ovation in this rousing short documentary.'

Woman of the Hour

🎥 Woman of the Hour (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'An aspiring actress crosses paths with a prolific serial killer in '70s LA when they're cast on an episode of "The Dating Game." Based on a true story.  Directed by and starring Anna Kendrick.'

🎥 Yintah (Netflix, 3:01 AM) 'An indigenous nation asserts sovereignty. The Wet'suwet'en people reoccupying their territory and resisting the construction of multiple pipelines.'

🔔 Hysteria! (Peacock, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'When a varsity quarterback disappears during the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s, a struggling high school heavy metal band realizes they can capitalize on the town's sudden interest in the occult by building a reputation as a Satanic metal band, until a series of murders, kidnappings, and "supernatural activity" triggers a witch hunt that leads back to them.'

🍴 Best Bite Wins (Roku, 3:01 AM) SEASON ONE. 'In celebration of entertaining, passing apps, and eating together, "Best Bite Wins" gamifies cocktail party culture, with professional chefs competing to present the best party food to hungry judges and clientele at real events from birthday parties to retirement celebrations and everything in between.'

🎥 Mads (Shudder, 3:01 AM) 'Eighteen-year-old Romain has just graduated and makes a stop at his dealer's place to try a new pill. As he heads off to a party, he sees an injured woman on the side of the road and decides to help her, but when she gets in his car, she suddenly smashes her own head against the dashboard, bleeding out until she dies.'

🔔 Happy's Place (NBC, 8:00 PM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Bobbi inherits her father's bar and is less than thrilled to discover that she has a new business partner in the half-sister she never knew she had. Starring Reba McEntire.'

🎄🎥 'Twas the Date Before Christmas (Hallmark, 8:00 PM) 'Feeling the pressure to bring someone home for Christmas, Jessie convinces Bryan to join her family for a day filled with holiday events, only the family doesn't know it's their first date.'

🔔 It's Florida, Man (HBO, 11:00 PM) SERIES PREMIERE. 'Featuring interviews from everyday Floridians and recreations starring a rotating cast including Anna Faris, Jake Johnson, Randall Park, Juliette Lewis, Sam Richardson, Ego Nwodim, and more, this hilarious series sheds light on the viral, wacky, and weird.'

It's Florida, Man

RETURNING SHOWS

😈 The Devil's Hour (Amazon, 12:01 AM) SEASON TWO.

🔔 LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition (Disney+, 3:01 AM) SPECIAL PRESENTATION.

🔔 Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives (Netflix, 3:01 AM) SEASON THREE.

🦈 Shark Tank (ABC, 8:00 PM) SEASON SIXTEEN PREMIERE.

👮‍♂️ S.W.A.T. (CBS, 8:00 PM) SEASON EIGHT PREMIERE.

🔔 Lopez vs. Lopez (NBC, 8:30 PM) SEASON THREE PREMIERE.

🔥 Fire Country (CBS, 9:00 PM) SEASON THREE PREMIERE.

👮‍♂️ Blue Bloods (CBS, 10:00 PM) SEASON FOURTEEN PREMIERE.

STREAMING

🔔 Disclaimer* (Apple, 3:01 AM) "III / IV" 

🔔 La Maison (Apple, 12:01 AM) "Message in a Bottle" 

⚖ Judy Justice (Freevee, 12:01 AM) 

🔔 Ayla & The Mirrors (Disney+, 3:01 AM) 

🏈 The Breakdown with Peyton and Belichick (ESPN+, 3:01 AM) "Week 7: Ravens at Buccaneers / Chargers at Cardinals" 

🏈 God. Family. Football. (Fox Nation, 3:01 AM) "This Is For You" 

🔔 Pedro El Escamoso: Mas Escamoso Que Nunca (Hulu, 3:01 AM) 

🔔 Return to Las Sabinas (Hulu, 12:01 AM)

💀 Angel of Death (Max, 3:01 AM) 

🔔 The Confidant (Max, 3:01 AM) 

🔔 Who's Talking to Chris Wallace (Max, 3:01 AM) 

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

🔔 RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars (Paramount, 3:01 AM) 

Maxxxine

LIVE SPORTSBALL TODAY/TONIGHT

🏌️‍♀️ DP World Tour Golf: Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, Second Round (Golf, 8:00 AM) 

🏎 Formula 1 Racing: United States Grand Prix, Practice 1 (ESPN2, 1:25 PM) 

🏌️‍♀️ PGA Tour Champions Golf: Dominion Energy Charity Classic, First Round (Golf, 2:00 PM)

⚽ English Championship Soccer: Leeds United vs. Sheffield United (CBSSN, 3:00 PM)

🏌️‍♀️ PGA Tour Golf: Shriners Children's Open, Second Round (Golf, 5:00 PM)

🏎 Formula 1 Racing: United States Grand Prix, Sprint Qualifying (ESPN2, 5:25 PM) 

🏎 NASCAR Infinity Racing Series: Ambetter Health 302, Qualifying (USA, 6:30 PM)

🏈 CFL Football: Calgary Stampeders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CBSSN, 7:00 PM)

⛸ ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (E!, 7:00 PM)

🏈 College Football: Florida State at Duke (ESPNU, 7:00 PM)

🏈 College Football: Brown at Princeton (ESPNU, 7:00 PM)

🏈 College Football: Oregon at Purdue (Fox, 8:00 PM)

🏀 2024 WNBA Finals: New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx (ESPN, 8:00 PM)

⚾ MLB Baseball: New York Yankees at Cleveland Guardians (TBS and TruTV, 8:00 PM)

⚽ NWSL Soccer: Seattle Reign FC vs. Houston Dash (Amazon, 10:00 PM)

🏈 College Football: Oklahoma State at BYU (ESPN, 10:15 PM)

🏈 College Football: Fresno State at Nevada (CBSSN, 10:30 PM)

🏀 NBA Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (ESPN2, 10:30 PM)

🏌️‍♀️ LPGA Tour Golf: BMW Ladies Championship, Third Round (Golf, 11:00 PM)

The Man Who Loved UFOs

🕗 MIDNIGHT 🕗

🥼Rick and Morty: The Anime (Adult Swim and Max, 12:00 AM) SEASON FINALE. 'It's life mostly as usual for the Smith family; Rick relaxes in a pseudo-world between multiverses; Summer helps Space Beth fight the evil Galactic Federation; Morty falls in love with a mysterious girl; they're all an anime.'

🕗 8:00 EASTERN / 🕖 7:00 CENTRAL

🦈 Shark Tank (ABC, 8:00 PM) 'Mushroom-based mocktails; custom-fit mouthguards; an Asian American-led sneaker brand; an app to boost one's cardio game.'

👮‍♂️ S.W.A.T. (CBS, 8:00 PM) 'The team races to find a group of missing students and their bus driver, Hondo's former high school football coach; Hicks has reservations regarding Hondo's new team addition, Devin Gamble, a cop with a family background deeply entrenched in crime.'

😂 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (CW, 8:00 PM) 'Guest comic Brad Sherwood. / Guest comic Tiffany Coyne.'

🔔 Sweetpea (Starz, 8:00 PM) 'When Rhiannon's victim is discovered, she goes on a mission to find out who he was and whether he deserved it.'

🔔 Happy's Place (NBC, 8:00 PM) 
💰 Gold Rush: Freddy Dodge's Mine Rescue (Discovery Channel, 8:00 PM) 

🎄🎥 'Twas the Date Before Christmas (Hallmark, 8:00 PM)
🏡 My Lottery Dream Home (HGTV, 8:00 PM) 

👮‍♂️ On Patrol: First Shift (Reelz, 8:00 PM) 

🤼‍♂️ WWE's Friday Night Smackdown (USA, 8:00 PM) 
💘 Love After Lockup: Life After Lockup (WE, 8:00 PM) 
🔔 Lopez vs. Lopez (NBC, 8:30 PM) 

🕗 9:00 EASTERN / 🕖 8:00 CENTRAL

🔥 Fire Country (CBS, 9:00 PM) 'In the midst of Gabriela and Diego's wedding, a helicopter crash ignites chaos and the team immediately jumps into action to stop fires and help victims.'

🔔 Joan (CW, 9:00 PM) 'Joan rises to new heights: the theft of a valuable painting and an audacious ring switch; Boisie falls for Joan; Kelly slips further away than ever.'

👽 The Unexplained (History, 9:00 PM) 'People go missing every day, but throughout history, there have been strange and eerie disappearances that continue to capture the world's attention.'

🔔 Fat Joe Talks (Starz, 9:00 PM) 'Fat Joe connects with LL Cool J about keeping their circle of friends small, the birth of Def Jam Records, and the road to longevity and success while staying true to self.'

💀 Dateline NBC (NBC, 9:00 PM) 
🍴 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food, 9:00 PM) 
👻 Scariest House in America (HGTV, 9:00 PM) 
👮‍♂️ On Patrol: Live (Reelz, 9:00 PM) 
🔔 20/20 (ABC, 9:01 PM) 
🔔 Tia Mowry: My Next Act (WE, 9:30 PM) 

Happy's Place

🕗 10:00 EASTERN / 🕖 9:00 CENTRAL

👮‍♂️ Blue Bloods (CBS, 10:00 PM) 'The Reagans' professional lives converge when an allegation of jury tampering against Erin intertwines with Danny and Baez's homicide case; Frank clashes with his friend and confidant Archbishop Kearns over the death penalty.'

🎭 NEXT at the Kennedy Center (PBS, 10:00 PM) 'The San Francisco-based Alonzo King LINES Ballet performs "Deep River" featuring vocalist Lisa Fischer.'

🔔 Social Studies (FX, 10:00 PM) SEASON FINALE. 'With graduation and life changes, the teens contemplate their future and the brave new world they navigate.'

🔔 Three Women (Starz, 10:02 PM) 'Lina, Sloane, and Maggie connect with their hearts' desire, unaware of the fallout that awaits them.'

🔔 Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO, 10:00 PM) 
🤼‍♂️ All Elite Wrestling: Rampage (TNT, 10:00 PM) 
👻 Scare Tactics (USA, 10:00 PM) 
💰 Bering Sea Gold (Discovery Channel, 10:01 PM) SEASON FINALE.
👽 The Proof is Out There (History, 10:03 PM) 

LATE NIGHT

😂 The Graham Norton Show (BBCA, AMC+ and Acorn TV, 11:00 PM) 'Graham's guests are Hollywood stars Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, comedy great Miranda Hart, the Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, and Hollywood great Kevin Kline.'

🔔 It's Florida, Man (HBO, 11:00 PM) 'A music fan searches for ways to make extra cash online and finds himself helping an Orlando man live out his extreme fantasy.

💰 Outback Opal Hunters (Discovery, 11:02 PM) 
🔔 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:34 PM) 
🔔 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC, 11:35 PM) 
🔔 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS, 11:35 PM) 
🔔 Nightline (ABC, 12:37 AM)
🔔 After Midnight (CBS, 12:37 AM) 

📺Broadcast/Cable/Satellite - RETRO BINGE📺

Law & Order (Pop, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM); The Andy Griffith Show (Sundance, 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM); Futurama (Comedy Central, 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM); Roseanne (CMT, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM); M*A*S*H* (TVLand, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM); Living Single (TV One, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM); South Park (Comedy Central, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM); Hawaii Five-0 (Ion, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM); Gunsmoke (TVLand, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM); Seinfeld (Comedy Central, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM); The Andy Griffith Show (TVLand, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM); Family Ties (Antenna, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM); Archie Bunker's Place (Antenna, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM); Family Guy (Comedy Central, 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM); Three's Company (Antenna, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM); Magnum P.I. (Ion, 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM); Everybody Loves Raymond (TVLand, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM); The Jeffersons (Antenna, 8:00 PM -9:00 PM); Barney Miller (Antennae, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM); Designing Women (Antenna, 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM); The King of Queens (TVLand, 11:00 PM - 2:00 AM); Becker (Antenna, 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM); The Drew Carey Show (Antennae, 1:00 AM - 2:00 AM)

📺 Johnny Carson (Antenna, 10:00 PM) 'Comic Tim Conway; Kevin Rooney; Jester Hairston; Donald O. Cram.'

Hysteria!

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

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