Extreme holidays: Incredible Christmas delights are on display in 'Extreme Cake Makers'
Contestant Tracey as seen in "Extreme Cake Makers"
Christmas is almost upon us, and it's a busy time of year for bakers. Whether a professional with culinary school training or a home baker who bakes for friends and family, bakers of all stripes are busy blending, whisking and kneading as they whip up incredible festive favorites.
Christmas Bee: 'Full Frontal' Christmas special is set entirely on ice
Samantha Bee headlines "Christmas on I.C.E."
Christmas Bee: Samantha Bee has landed her own Christmas special. The host of TBS's "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" tackles the divisive issue of migrant family separation in "Christmas on I.C.E.," airing Wednesday, Dec. 19, on TBS.
The Sound of Music, on ABC
Julie Andrews stars as Maria, a young woman who leaves a convent to become a governess in this classic. The film, which is based on the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical, also stars Christopher Plummer as the widowed Capt. Von Trapp.
New Releases for the week of Dec. 16 - 22
A Simple Favor
Widowed single mother Stephanie (Kendrick) meets fellow mom Emily (Lively) while they're both dropping off their sons at school, and the two women quickly become close friends, sharing secrets and enjoying each other's company while their boys have play dates. Things change when Emily calls Stephanie out of the blue and asks her to babysit since Emily's husband, Sean (Golding), is out of town. When Emily disappears and doesn't respond to calls or texts, both Stephanie and Sean become increasingly worried that something terrible has happened to her.
Director: Paul Feig. Stars: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Ian Ho, Joshua Satine. 2018. 117 min. Drama.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
Ten-year-old Lewis Barnavelt (Vaccaro) finds his life going in a direction that he'd never imagined after his parents are killed in a car crash and he's sent to live with his uncle Jonathan (Black). He meets his uncle's neighbor and best friend, Florence (Blanchett), and not long after, he is woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of a clock ticking in the walls of his uncle's house. He learns that his uncle is a warlock, but when Lewis starts teaching himself magic without Jonathan's supervision, he ends up casting a spell that could bring doom to the entire world.
Director: Eli Roth. Stars: Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro, Kyle MacLachlan, Renée Elise Goldsberry. 2018. 105 min. Comedy.
Venom
When investigative journalist Eddie Brock (Hardy) digs into the unethical and secret experiments being run in the secret lab of a major corporation, he ends up exposed to an alien organism that bonds with his body and speaks only to him. Calling itself Venom, the symbiotic creature helps Brock evade capture by both the company's security forces and by police as it prepares the Earth for an invasion by its villainous species.
Director: Ruben Fleischer. Stars: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Scott Haze, Reid Scott, Jenny Slate. 2018. 112 min. Action.
Road to Christmas, on Hallmark Channel
Television producer Maggie Baker (Jessy Schram) embarks on a cross-country road trip with the son of her show's star in this premiere holiday drama. When her plans for the show's Christmas Eve special go awry, Maggie learns the true meaning of Christmas.
Recaps for the week of December 10 - 14
Darin Brooks stars in "The Bold and the Beautiful"
The Bold and the Beautiful
Zoe is concerned about Reese's infatuation with Taylor and she expresses her feelings on the situation to Xander. Liam and Steffy argue about whether or not Taylor is fit to be alone with their baby. Taylor lets loose about Brooke to Reese, and he shows his support with a kiss. Steffy is anxious and feels that everyone in her life is against her mother. Brooke and Hope don't agree about whether or not they should tell Katie and Donna about Taylor. Zoe and Xander try to share an intimate moment, but they are interrupted by Tiffany and then Reese. Brooke is upset to find Taylor alone with Kelly, and she's not happy about her new living arrangement either. Steffy shares memories with Taylor about Phoebe, and explains how her sister plays into her current relationship with Hope. Wyatt and Sally do yoga together and discuss using the word "love" in regards to their relationship. Things get out of hand when Liam gets caught in the middle of an argument between Hope and Steffy.
Days of Our Lives
Ted informs Rafe that he and Hope are having an affair. Julia tries to talk to Ciara about her relationship with Ben. Abigail and Gabi play cat and mouse. Abigail pleads with Julie to help her and she agrees to help expose Gabi. Julie shares memories about her return to Salem 50 years ago. Lucas says his goodbyes to family and friends. Eli and Lani announce to his family that they are a couple. Sonny and Will try their best to stop Leo's attempt at blackmail. Sheila officiates the ceremony as Sonny and Leo's wedding begins. Justin delivers a letter to Chloe that contains stunning news. Sarah continues to help Eric get custody of Holly. Chloe tells Maggie the news in Nicole's letter. Eric is excited to raise Holly, and he shares the joy with Sarah. The wedding between Sonny and Leo is quickly interrupted. Maggie changes her mind about Holly. Kayla tells Tripp the truth about Steve. Abigail breaks into Kayla's office to find proof of Gabi's misdeeds, while Julie sneaks into Gabi's bedroom for the same reason.
General Hospital
Ava faces a difficult time. Julian does his best to smooth things over. Carly visits Morgan's grave. Laura catches Sonny up. Nina is disappointed. Anna looks forward to the future. Ava gets a surprise visitor. Nina thinks about giving Valentin a second chance. Kim gives Oscar some space. Cameron goes to see Julian. Sonny and Oscar have a heartfelt conversation. Laura confides in Lulu. Nina finally comes to a decision.
The Young and the Restless
Nikki feels safe when she returns home, but the feeling is cut short when she finds JT's bloody clothes laid out on her bed. Nikki visits Victoria to discuss the situation, but they are interrupted by Reed, who has come home for the holidays and is determined to find out who killed his father. Billy goes to see Victoria, and he expresses concern about the anger and pain he sees in Reed. Reed tries to seek comfort in his friendships with Charlie and Mattie, but Cane makes it known that he disapproves of their connection. Reed assumes Victor is the guilty one, and he accuses Victoria of keeping secrets from him. Nikki tries to befriend Mia by setting up a makeup consultation with her. Mia eagerly plays this to her advantage, seeing that Nikki can offer her social advancement. Abby at first turns to Nick to join her project as a consultant, but he is unable to agree, so she goes to Devon next. While Abby is on her way to meet Devon, she spots Lola at the new pop-up shop she opened at the coffeehouse and she comes up with another idea.
Q: I seem to remember a TV version of Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" book. What can you tell me about it, and why don't people make shows like that anymore?
One thing I can tell you about NBC's miniseries adaptation of "The Sun Also Rises" is, according to one of the executives behind it, it is the reason why people don't make shows like it anymore.
In a surprisingly frank interview with the New York Times a few days after the miniseries aired in December 1984, Susan Baerwald, vice-president of miniseries at NBC, said, "Would I be reluctant to do another literary adaptation? At the moment, you bet."
The battle rages on: Travel through time with 'DC's Legends of Tomorrow'
Brandon Routh stars in "DC's Legends of Tomorrow"
I Love Lucy Christmas Special, on CBS
Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ricky (Desi Arnaz) reminisce about how much their lives have changed since Little Ricky was born as they decorate their Christmas tree in this special. Later, Lucy and Ethel (Vivian Vance) make a bet with their husbands.
Disney's Prep and Landing, on ABC
After an elf named Wayne doesn't get the promotion he was hoping for, he's partnered with an idealistic rookie elf named Lanny in this animated special. While on a Christmas Eve mission to prepare houses for Santa's arrival, they must learn to work together.
