Saturday Night Live, on NBC
The "SNL" family has a comedy feast for fans with a compilation of memorable Thanksgiving and family-themed moments in this special prime-time edition. Some of the sketches include "Adam Sandler's Turkey Song," "Nikey Turkey" and "Ed Grimley's Thanksgiving."
Q: I remember loving the show "Falcon Crest" -- I thought a winery was a great place for a soap opera. Have the creators of that show done anything similar since?
There was really just the one creator of "Falcon Crest" -- Earl Hamner Jr. He hasn't done anything similar since, but if you're interested in family-based, prime-time drama, you may want to look at what he did before.
The year "Falcon Crest" premiered, 1981, was the same year his other great creation, "The Waltons," ended.
New Girl, on Fox
The gang heads for the great outdoors in this special Thanksgiving episode. When Nick (Jake Johnson) takes everyone camping, Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Schmidt (Max Greenfield) compete to show off their survival skills, while Cece (Hannah Simone) and Winston (Lamorne Morris) bond.
Dancing With the Stars, on ABC
In anticipation of tomorrow night's season finale, the remaining dancers give their routines their all. Because it is the finale week, voting will be open for 15 hours beginning from the start of the episode on the East Coast and closing at 11 a.m. ET the following day.
Q: Is the character of Melinda May in "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." drawn from the comics, or was she created for the show?
Though the show is giving her the kind of complicated back story usually associated with comic book characters, Melinda May (alias "The Cavalry") was created specifically for "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," ABC's new super-powered hit.
In fact, the character was changed at the last minute when actress Ming-Na Wen was cast. "The Cavalry" was originally supposed to be named Althea Rice, with a Caucasian actress in mind, however that changed when Wen was cast.
Late Laughs for the week of November 24 - 30, 2013
Jimmy Kimmel Live: Jimmy Kimmel
There are new reports that the NSA has been monitoring communications of 35 world leaders. Germany's Angela Merkel is one of our closest allies, and she is not happy about this. She called President Obama to give him an earful — and you know it takes a lot to get those ears full.
If the NSA agents are like most men, they were probably only pretending to listen to what she was saying anyway.
The Mentalist, on CBC
Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) finally meets madman Red John face to face in an exciting new episode. A former con man, Jane has relentlessly tracked the serial killer for 10 years in search of justice for the murders of his wife and daughter.
Gaga for the Muppets: Puppets and pop stars host holiday special
Kermit the Frog and Lady Gaga as seen in "Lady Gaga and the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular"
Gaga for the Muppets: The muppets are gaga for Lady Gaga, but they won't be wearing their "poker faces" when she comes for a visit.
New Releases for the week of November 24 - November 30
Jobs
Based on the life of one of the most revered and creative entrepreneurs of our time, Steve Jobs went from college dropout to one of the most influential personalities in the technological world. After spending time in India, Jobs moved back to California, where he and childhood friend Steve Wozniak laid the foundation for their new computer company. Eventually, the pair acquired the funds necessary to move forward with their venture, but erratic behavior and an increasingly complicated personal life sees Jobs pushed out of Apple Computer Inc. all together until he eventually lands himself in the role of CEO more than a decade later.
Director: Joshua Michael Stern. Stars: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas. 2013. 128 min. Biography.
Getaway
When his wife Leanne is kidnapped by an unknown villain who demands he follow a set of instructions, former race car driver Brent Magna finds himself in a race against time. With no time to lose, Brent agrees to steal a custom-built Shelby Mustang from a parking garage. When the owner of the car, a young woman, finds Magna and tries to take back what is hers, she is dragged into a dangerous high-speed race.
Director: Courtney Solomon. Stars: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight, Rebecca Budig. 2013. 90 min. Action.
Red 2
Frank Moses is a retired CIA agent trying to live a normal life with his girlfriend, but suddenly he finds himself pulled out of retirement when he is approached by a former colleague who claims their lives are in danger. Realizing his life really is in jeopardy because of his participation in a secret operation during the Cold War, Frank reunites his odd-ball team of elite operatives in order to track down a missing portable nuclear device.
Director: Dean Parisot. Stars: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Anthony Hopkins. 2013. 116 min. Action.
Battle Ground
During the First World War, three British soldiers find themselves stranded in No Man’s Land after an Allied charge on German forces goes terribly wrong. As they cross the deserted battleground, tensions rise between the men as they are surrounded by exploding grenades and the constant rattle of machine-guns. With the Germans quickly honing in on them, the three soldiers desperately try to help each other across the muddy wasteland and back over enemy lines.
Directors: Johan Earl, Adrian Powers. Stars: Johan Earl, Tim Pocock, Martin Copping. 2013. 95 min. Action.
Eat up: ABC's 'The Chew' continues to grow
Mario Batali as seen in "The Chew"
Cooking shows aren't just for the specialty channels anymore.