Q: I read in your column that Dennis Quaid wrapped work on the dramedy "A Dog's Purpose." Is it a made-for-TV movie? Do you know when it may be scheduled to show?
Though it may sound like the sort of heartwarming family fare you'd normally see in a telefilm, "A Dog's Purpose" is actually getting the big-screen treatment. It's slated to hit theaters Jan. 27, 2017.
The lush treatment has a lot to do with the fact that it's got a fairly star-studded cast, including Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson (of 2015's "Tomorrowland") and the modern-great character actor John Ortiz (of 2012's "Silver Linings Playbook").
The Wall, on NBC
Contestants answer questions in the hopes of winning a life-altering cash prize in this sneak peek. Chris Hardwick hosts the new game show featuring a four-story wall that is used to determine how much money the players could win.
Thing of the past: Look back at some of the best TV moments of 2016
Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon as seen in "Saturday Night Live"
What. A. Year. The roller-coaster that was 2016 has been a trying one -- from some incredibly high-profile deaths (R.I.P. Prince, Leonard Cohen, Alan Rickman, the list goes on) to one of the most bizarro American elections ever, plenty has happened this year to make even the brightest of optimists say "Good riddance!"
Sweet, sweet victory: 'Sugar Showdown' holiday championship winner is crowned
Josh Elkin hosts “Sugar Showdown”
It's the time of year for giving, and in that festive spirit, Cooking Channel makes one baker very happy this holiday season. The final holiday episode of the addictive culinary competition "Sugar Showdown" airs Tuesday, Dec. 20, and the grand finale is shaping up to be an exciting and, of course, sweet experience.
Last call: 'Duck Dynasty's' current season is its last
Willie Robertson as seen in “Duck Dynasty”
Last call: Cable television's most-watched nonfiction series in history is singing its swan song. "Duck Dynasty's" Robertson family has delighted audiences since it first appeared on A&E in 2012, but for the Louisiana natives, the 11th and current season of the unscripted show is the last.
Sweet, sweet victory: 'Sugar Showdown' holiday championship winner is crowned
Josh Elkin hosts “Sugar Showdown”
It's the time of year for giving, and in that festive spirit, Cooking Channel makes one baker very happy this holiday season. The final holiday episode of the addictive culinary competition "Sugar Showdown" airs Tuesday, Dec. 20, and the grand finale is shaping up to be an exciting and, of course, sweet experience.
Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, on Fox
Morgan Freeman welcomes some of the world’s most brilliant minds as he hosts the fifth annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony. The prestigious honor recognizes ground-breaking research and discoveries in the fields of fundamental physics, life sciences and mathematics.
New Releases for the week of December 18 - 24
The Disappointments Room
In mourning after the death of their infant daughter, David (Raido), Dana (Beckinsale) and their five-year-old son, Lucas (Joiner), move into a rundown rural home, intending to renovate it into their dream home, put the sadness of their past behind them and try to start their lives over. While the family falls in love with the old house's charm, they also find a locked door in the attic that they cannot open. Dana eventually finds the key to the door's lock following strange, unexplainable events, and she enters the room beyond it, accidentally releasing the evil spirit of a long-dead child that dwelled within. Soon enough, the spirit begins to threaten Lucas, causing Dana to start questioning her own sanity.
Director: D.J. Caruso. Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Mel Raido, Lucas Till, Duncan Joiner, Gerald McRaney, Michaela Conlin. 2016. 92 min. Horror.
31
A group of five carnival employees are kidnapped and locked inside a maze-like collection of rooms. They are told that they have been chosen to play a game called 31, and that for the next 12 hours, they will be hunted by the "Heads," a collection of homicidal clowns who will murder them if they're caught. While their kidnappers set odds and place bets on which of the carnies might survive the "game," the Heads begin to pick off the unwilling players one by one.
Director: Rob Zombie. Stars: Sheri Moon Zombie, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Meg Foster, Kevin Jackson. 2016. 102 min. Horror.
Maximum Ride
Max (Evans) and her fellow orphans were genetically experimented upon as children, and while they've since grown up to be fairly normal teenagers, they do have something that sets them apart: They have wings and can fly. When one of the orphans, Angel (Wray), is kidnapped, the feathery, winged teens must fly to her rescue, coming face-to-face with their pasts and the secrets behind their creation.
Director: Jay Martin. Stars: Allie Marie Evans, Patrick Johnson, Lyliana Wray, Peter O'Brien, Luke Gregory Crosby, Zayne Emory. 2016. 88 min. Adventure.
Late Laughs for the week of December 18 - 24, 2016
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Trump doesn't even believe in the existence of global warming, having tweeted: "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive," and calling global warming "very expensive BS." Of course, "Very Expensive BS" is also the motto for Trump University.
Conan
Saturday Night Live Christmas, on NBC
The cast celebrates the holidays with a look back at some of the best Yuletide sketches in the history of the show. The show has a long-standing tradition of poking fun at the holiday season with hilarious takes on holiday food and festive silly songs.
