What’s On TV for December

12.18.21

When was the last time that I updated the TV section of this blog? It’s been a good minute, but tonight is different. Thanks to Metacritic, here is what is premiering for the rest of December. There are few series that I’m going to be interested and invested in.

Credit source: Metacritic

2021-22 TV PREMIERE CALENDAR

  • by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor
  • August 11, 2021

This is the permanent home of our TV premiere calendar. Bookmark this page; we’ll update it daily throughout the year. Updated December 17

PREMIERE DATES FOR NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS AND SPECIALS

New (NEW) and returning shows, TV movies, miniseries, and specials (including streaming exclusives) with announced premiere dates are listed below. All times are both ET/PT unless otherwise indicated. Items available to buy or rent through digital outlets (VOD, Prime Video, iTunes, etc.) are marked with a ($).

2021-22 TV PREMIERE CALENDAR

This is the permanent home of our TV premiere calendar. Bookmark this page; we’ll update it daily throughout the year. Updated December 17

PREMIERE DATES FOR NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS AND SPECIALS

New (NEW) and returning shows, TV movies, miniseries, and specials (including streaming exclusives) with announced premiere dates are listed below. All times are both ET/PT unless otherwise indicated. Items available to buy or rent through digital outlets (VOD, Prime Video, iTunes, etc.) are marked with a ($).

Miss something? View our archive of past premiere dates >

DECEMBER PREMIERES – VIEW OUR DECEMBER TV PREVIEW

FRI / DECEMBER 17
 89th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade SPECIALSpecialCW 8p
 Chillin Island NEW TrailerRealityHBO 10:30p
A trio of New York rappers (Alec “Despot” Reinstein, Ashok “Dap” Kondabolu, and Aleksey “Lakutis” Weintraub) invite celebrity guests from the music world (including Killer Mike, Rosalía, Lil Yachty, Young Thug, and Ezra Koenig) to hang out with them at the “edge of nature” (think deserts and swamps) in this six-episode unscripted series (based on the radio show of the same name) produced by Josh Safdie.
 Decoupled NEW TrailerForeign/ComedyNetflix
 Fast & Furious Spy Racers TrailerAnimation/FamilyNetflix
 A Forbidden Orange MOVIEForeign/DocumentaryHBO Max
Fortress MOVIE TrailerAction($) Rent/Buy
 Joe Bob Ruins Christmas SPECIALSpecialShudder, 9p ET
 Mistletoe in Montana MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
Last Words MOVIE TrailerDrama/Sci-fi($) Rent/Buy
42Mother/Android MOVIE TrailerSci-fi/ThrillerHulu
A couple (Chloë Grace Moretz, Algee Smith) journey to evade an android uprising in a thriller set in the near future (at least for those of us living life sequentially).
 The Murder of Gabby Petito: Truth, Lies and Social Media SPECIAL TrailerRealityPeacock
83The Novice MOVIE TrailerDrama/Thriller($) Rent
Writer-director Lauren Hadaway based her feature debut on her own experiences as a competitive college rower. Tracking freshman Alex Dall (Orphan‘s Isabell Fuhrman) as she obsesses over making the top varsity boat, The Novice won multiple awards at this year’s Tribeca Festival, including the top prize for best narrative feature (U.S.). It also plays in theaters beginning today.
 Rolling Like Thunder MOVIEDocumentaryShowtime 8p
65Swan Song MOVIE TrailerDrama/Sci-fiApple TV+
Making a simultaneous streaming and theatrical debut (and not to be confused with another 2021 movie also called Swan Song), this near-future drama from first-time feature director Benjamin Cleary stars Mahershala Ali as a husband and father who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and is given an unusual option by his doctor (Glenn Close) that will shield his family from the grief of losing him—at a price. Naomie Harris and Awkwafina also star.
 Twisted Little Lies MOVIEDramaLMN, 8p
 Uninterrupted’s Top Class: The Life and Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers TrailerReality/SportsIMDb TV
 A Walk in Her Shoes MOVIE TrailerDocumentary($) Virtual theaters
68The Witcher TrailerDrama/FantasyNetflix
76With Love NEW TrailerRom-comPrime Video
Amazon’s new holiday rom-com series spends a year with a pair of siblings (Emeraude Toubia and Mark Indelicato) as they search for love. The first season will feature five one-hour episodes, each set during a different holiday throughout the year.
SAT / DECEMBER 18
 Bulgasal: Immortal Souls NEW TrailerForeign/Drama/FantasyNetflix
 Christmas for Keeps MOVIEDramaHMM, 10p
 The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls MOVIEDramaHallmark, 8p
 Deadly Girls’ Night Out MOVIEDramaLMN, 8p
 Drew’s Dream Car NEWRealitydiscovery+
 Holmes for the Holidays SPECIALRealityHGTV, 8p
 Kindred SpiritsRealityTravel, 10p
 My Dream Kitchen: Carla Hall SPECIALRealitydiscovery+
 My Dream Kitchen: Giada De Laurentiis SPECIALRealitydiscovery+
 Out of Stock: Supply Chain Crisis MINISERIESRealityDiscovery, 8p
 Single’s Inferno NEW TrailerForeign/RealityNetflix
 Surprising Santa Claus SPECIALRealityHGTV, 9p
 Toying With the Holidays MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
 When Hope CallsDramaGAC Family, 8p
The series formerly airing on Hallmark Movies Now moves to the channel formerly known as Great American Country.
 Women of Worth SPECIALSpecialNBC 8p
SUN / DECEMBER 19
1883 NEW TrailerDramaParamount+
This streaming-only Yellowstone prequel series follows the Dutton family on a journey through the Great Plains in the late 19th century and stars Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill, while Billy Bob Thornton guests.
 Alaskan Bush People: North Pole to North Star SPECIALRealityDiscovery, 8p
 Christmas Takes Flight MOVIEDramaParamount+
 Claws TrailerDrama/ComedyTNT, 9p
 Home Town: Ben’s Holiday Workshop SPECIALRealityHGTV, 8p
 Joy for Christmas MOVIEDramaGAC Family, 8p
 Patti LaBelle’s Holiday Party SPECIALSpecialTV One, 7p
 ‘Tis the Season to be Merry MOVIEDramaHallmark, 8p
 Tough Love With Hilary Farr NEWRealityHGTV, 9p
 Under the Christmas Tree MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
 What Happened in Oslo NEWForeign/DramaNetflix
MON / DECEMBER 20
 100 Day Dream HomeRealityHGTV, 8p
 Candy Cane Candidate MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
 DynastyDramaCW 8p
 Miracles Across 125th Street MOVIE TrailerDramaVH1, 9p
 Reopening Night MOVIE TrailerDocumentaryHBO 10p
 Tough Love With Hilary Farr NEWRealityHGTV, 9p
TUE / DECEMBER 21
60Being the Ricardos MOVIE TrailerDramaPrime Video
Streaming on Amazon following a brief theatrical run (which begins December 10), the latest feature from writer-director Aaron Sorkin unfolds over the course of one week during the filming of the famed sitcom I Love Lucy. Nicole Kidman (rather improbably) plays Lucille Ball, while Javier Bardem portrays Desi Arnaz. As for Fred and Ethel? That would be J.K. Simmons and Nina Arianda.
 Beyond Hubble: The Telescope of Tomorrow SPECIALDocumentaryScience, 10p
 By the Grace of … MOVIE TrailerDrama($) Rent/Buy
 The Christmas Ball MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
 Fantasy Island SPECIALDramaFox 8p
Special two-hour holiday episode.
 Grumpy Christmas MOVIEForeign/ComedyNetflix
 Jim Gaffigan: Comedy Monster SPECIALComedy specialNetflix
 Repossession MOVIE TrailerHorror/Thriller($) Rent/Buy
 Song & Story: Amazing Grace MOVIEDramaOWN, 9p
WED / DECEMBER 22
 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors SPECIALSpecialCBS 9p
Emily in Paris TrailerComedy/DramaNetflix
 It Takes a Christmas Village MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
 The LCD Soundsystem Holiday Special SPECIAL Clip TrailerMusic/ComedyPrime Video, 9p ET
Sure, half of this holiday special will consist of a new concert performance by the band. But what makes it unique is the other half of the show: a ’90s sitcom spoof called “All My Friends” that finds actors (and, in one case, a puppet) playing members of LCD Soundsystem. That cast includes Macaulay Culkin, Aparna Nancherla, and Jon Daly, while Eric Wareheim plays bandleader James Murphy (and also directs the special).
 The Masked Singer Christmas Singalong SPECIALReality/MusicFox 8p
The Matrix Resurrections MOVIE TrailerSci-fi/Thriller/ActionHBO Max
Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith return for the first Matrix film since 2003. The fourth entry in the franchise finds Lana Wachowski directing solo for the first time and also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (as Morpheus, the role originated by Laurence Fishburne), Jonathan Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Ricci, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Jessica Henwick. It will stream for one month on HBO Max beginning today, when it is also released in theaters.
 WWII in Color: Road to Victory NEW TrailerDocumentaryNetflix
THU / DECEMBER 23
 40 Means Nothing (40 No es Nada) NEW HBO Max
 Babble Bop! NEWAnimation/FamilyPeacock
 Beanie Mania MOVIE TrailerDocumentaryHBO Max
 Dead Man’s Switch: A Crypto Mystery MOVIEDocumentarydiscovery+
 Dragons: The Nine Realms NEW TrailerAnimation/FamilyHulu/Peacock
 TMZ’s Merry Elfin’ Christmas: Bye Bye 2021 SPECIALSpecialFox 9p
 Rebuilding a Dream Christmas MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
 Reno 911: The Hunt for QAnon SPECIAL TrailerComedyParamount+
83Vigil NEW TrailerDramaPeacock
Yearly Departed SPECIAL TrailerComedyPrime Video
FRI / DECEMBER 24
 1000 Miles From Christmas MOVIEForeign/Family/ComedyNetflix
 Daughter From Another MotherForeign/ComedyNetflix
52Don’t Look Up MOVIE Trailer ClipComedyNetflix
Adam McKay’s first feature film since 2018’s Vice is a comedy about two minor astronomers (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) who believe they’ve made a startling discovery: A comet is about to collide with Earth. But now comes the hard part: convincing the world that they are right. Does Meryl Streep play the President of the United States? Why yes, she does. The huge ensemble also features Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Cate Blanchett, Ariana Grande, Tyler Perry, Gina Gershon, Chris Evans, Matthew Perry, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Rylance, Ron Perlman, and Kid Cudi. Don’t Look Up will open in theaters on December 10 prior to today’s streaming debut, just in case anyone is considering nominating Streep for an Oscar. (It never hurts to try.)
75Encanto MOVIEAnimation/FamilyDisney+
Featuring original music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Disney’s 60th animated feature makes a quick jump to Disney+ after just one month in theaters.
 Hot Chocolate Holiday MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
 Minnal Murali MOVIEForeign/Action-adventureNetflix
47The Scary of Sixty-First MOVIE TrailerHorror/Thriller($) Rent
 The Silent Sea NEW TrailerForeign/Drama/Sci-fiNetflix
 Slugfest MINISERIES TrailerRealityThe Roku Channel
Originally commissioned for Quibi, this 10-episode docuseries from the Russo Brothers examines the rivalry between Marvel and DC.
 Stand by Me Doraemon 2 MOVIE TrailerAnimeNetflix
 Vicky and Her Mystery MOVIEForeign/FamilyNetflix
SAT / DECEMBER 25
 Jimmy Carr: His Dark Material SPECIALComedy specialNetflix
 Stories of a Generation – With Pope Francis NEW TrailerRealityNetflix
 Writing Around the Christmas Tree MOVIEDramaLifeitme, 8p
SUN / DECEMBER 26
 Holiday Wars: Champion Cake Off SPECIALReality competitionFood, 9p
 Home TownRealityHGTV, 8p
LetterkennyComedyHulu
 Lulli MOVIEForeign/ComedyNetflix
MON / DECEMBER 27
 Crimes Gone ViralRealityID, 10p
Death to 2021 SPECIAL TrailerComedyNetflix
 Insecure: The End SPECIAL TrailerDocumentaryHBO 10p
 Kids Baking ChampionshipReality competitionFood, 8p
 The Year: 2021 SPECIALNewsABC 9p
TUE / DECEMBER 28
 The Hillside Strangler: Mind of a Monster SPECIALRealitydiscovery+
 Murder in the HeartlandRealityID, 9p
52National Champions MOVIE TrailerDrama/Sports($) Rent/Buy
 Popstar’s Best of 2021 SPECIALSpecialCW 8p
 Raid the Fridge NEWReality competitionFood, 10p
 Word Party Presents: Math! NEWFamilyNetflix
WED / DECEMBER 29
 Anxious People NEW TrailerForeign/Drama/ComedyNetflix
The Book of Boba Fett NEW TrailerSci-fi/DramaDisney+
Temuera Morrison (playing Boba Fett) and Ming-Na Wen (as fellow bounty hunter Fennec Shand) star in a spinoff from the hit Star Wars streaming series The Mandalorian that is set (at least in part) on Tatooine. Robert Rodriguez, who directed the Mandalorian episode that saw the return of Fett (a character that was first seen in The Empire Strikes Back—or, if you prefer, the Star Wars Holiday Special), will direct multiple episodes of the new series and serve as a producer alongside Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni (both of whom will also direct episodes, as will fellow Mandalorian director Bryce Dallas Howard).
 Calls From the Inside NEWRealityID, 9p
 Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer TrailerRealityNetflix
 Where Chefs Eat SPECIALRealityCooking, 9p ET
WED / DECEMBER 30
 Hilda and the Mountain King MOVIE TrailerAnimationNetflix
 Kitz NEWForeign/DramaNetflix
 Light the Night TrailerForeign/DramaNetflix
FRI / DECEMBER 31
 Cobra Kai TrailerDrama/ComedyNetflix
 Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022 SPECIALLive eventABC 8p
 The Established Home NEWRealitydiscovery+ (Magnolia)
 Gary Owen: Black Famous SPECIAL TrailerComedy speicalShowtime 9p
 iGilbert MOVIEDrama($) Rent
81The Lost Daughter MOVIE TrailerDramaNetflix
Also opening in theaters on December 17 following a debut on the fall festival circuit, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut—which was recently named best picture of 2021 at the Gotham Awards—is an adaptation of the 2006 novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante (the Italian author best known for My Brilliant Friend). Olivia Colman stars as a woman whose solo summer seaside vacation turns sour when she becomes obsessed with another family whose activities trigger unhappy memories of her own past as a young mother. Gyllenhaal also wrote the script and enlisted a strong cast that also includes Dakota Johnson, Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, Ed Harris, and Peter Sarsgaard.
 Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party Hosted by Miley Cyrus and Pete Davidson SPECIALLive eventNBC 10:30p
 New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash SPECIALLive event/MusicCBS 8p
Queer EyeRealityNetflix
 Restoration Road With Clint HarpRealitydiscovery+ (Magnolia)
Seal Team MOVIE TrailerAnimation/FamilyNetflix
Stay Close NEW TrailerDramaNetflix
Netflix’s latest Harlan Coben adaptation stars Cush Humbo, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Eddie Izzard, and Sarah Parish. All eight episodes stream today.

They will update their page continuously for more new shows. I will also stay up to date too. I’m sure a lot of you have these shows on your calendar set.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, be safe, healthy, and most of all blessed.

Featured image: Pexel

About L. Richelle Murry

I'm the founder of Shadowboxerinc, Creativity In All Forms. This where I share all kinds of information in the creative world of art, fashion, games, comics, literature, music, photography, digital...all art! I'm also a writer. The reason my brain is wired, too much creativity!

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