SoCal TV highlights, Nov. 5-11: 'For All Mankind,' 'The Simpsons,' Veterans Day specials and more
Also, Dolly Parton rocks out, Timothée Chalamet is looking a bit sketchy and Republican presidential candidates step up to the plate in the Sunshine State
I’m not the man they think I am at home…
Hello and welcome to an all-new TV or Not TV roundup of new and noteworthy programming on broadcast, cable and streaming. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar section.
Now let’s light this candle!
SUNDAY — Nov. 5
He’s the law ’round these parts: “Selma’s” David Oyelowo portrays the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississip’ in the new historical drama “Lawmen: Bass Reeves.” Anytime, Paramount+
Kelsey Grammer reprises his role as the villainous Sideshow Bob on this year’s “Treehouse of Horror” episode on “The Simpsons.” 8 p.m. Fox
A long time ago, in a kitchen far, far away… “Holiday Wars.” The baking competition is back for a fifth season. Jeff Mauro hosts. 8 p.m. Food Network
Trash will be talked, drinks thrown, etc. etc. as “The Real Housewives of Potomac” return with new episodes. The season premiere of “Married to Medicine” follows. 8 and 9:15 p.m. Bravo
A trio of gal pals suits up in search of romance in the new TV movie “The Santa Summit.” With Hunter King. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
A troubled young woman goes full “Single White Female” on her spin-class instructor in the new thriller “Obsessed to Death.” With Holland Roden. 8 p.m. Lifetime
’Twas a dark day in Dallas, November ’63: The assassination of the 35th U.S. president is revisited in the new three-part special “JFK: One Day in America.” 8, 9 and 10 p.m. National Geographic
The unsolved murders of numberless but not nameless women along one desolate stretch of road in Oregon over several decades are investigated in three-part special “Lost Women of Highway 20.” Octavia Spencer narrates. 9, 10 and 11 p.m. Investigation Discovery
MONDAY — Nov. 6
Two high-profile civil-rights activists form a “Gumbo Coalition” to fight a resurgent white-supremacist movement in this 2023 documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Barbara Kopple. Anytime, Max
The Marine Corps’ most elite aviators feel the need — for speed, natch — in the new four-part docuseries “Top Combat Pilot” hosted by Dennis Quaid. Anytime, Fox Nation
Nothing says lovin’ like something from the oven in new episodes of “Holiday Baking Championship.”Jesse Palmer hosts. 8 p.m. Food Network
“Basketball Wives” star falls for con artist, heartbreak ensues in the new docuseries “My True Scam Story.” With Jennifer Williams. 8 p.m. VH1
Nothing up my sleeves and … presto! The magic showcase “Masters of Illusion” conjures up a batch of new episodes. 9 p.m. The CW
And they all lived happily ever after — not! — in the fifth and final season of the “90 Day Fiancé” spinoff “The Family Chantel.” 9 p.m. TLC
Muslim clerics in the U.S. military discuss the challenges they face in keeping the faith while tending their flock and others’ in the documentary “Three Chaplains” on a new “Independent Lens.” 10 p.m. KOCE
Sarah Silverman slips back behind the big desk for another week-long stint as guest host of “The Daily Show.” Just give her the gig already. 11 p.m. Comedy Central; also Tuesday-Thursday
TUESDAY — Nov. 7
Journalist Nick Barili lends an ear to the urban sounds of the Latinx diaspora — from rap to reggaeton and beyond — in the new musical travelogue “De La Calle.” Anytime, Paramount+
Where have you gone, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.? Veteran agents talk shop and swap stories in the new docuseries “True FBI.” Anytime, Paramount+
The house that comedy impresario Budd Friedman built marks a milestone in the new star-studded special “The Improv: 60 and Still Standing.” With Whitney Cummings, Jo Koy, et al. Anytime, Netflix
See how women in Indigenous communities are upholding traditions at home while blazing new trails in the wider world in “Women Rule” on a new “Native America.” 8 p.m. KOCE
The home renovations will continue until morale improves in new episodes of “Fixer to Fabulous.” With Dave and Jenny Marrs. 8 p.m. HGTV
Youngsters from the City of Brotherly Love make a joyful noise in the new documentary “Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School” directed by Amy Schatz. 9 p.m. HBO
A long time ago, in a neighborhood far, far away… “Neighborhood Wars.” The caught-on-camera series is back, followed by the return of “Customer Wars.” 9 and 10 p.m. A&E
Gobble gobble! They’re talking turkey in the Thanksgiving-themed season premiere of “Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown.” 9 p.m. Food Network
Let the games begin! John Cena and Nicole Byer host another season of the extreme obstacle-course challenge “Wipeout.” 9 p.m. TBS
A country music legend turns it up to 11 with a new album and a new memoir in the new special “Dolly Parton — From Rhinestones to Rock & Roll.” 10 p.m. ABC
WEDNESDAY — Nov. 8
A gaggle of American gals from wealthy families descend on 1870s London seeking suitable matches from among the landed gentry in “The Buccaneers,” a new drama based on the unfinished Edith Wharton novel. With Christina Hendricks. Anytime, Apple TV+
Another day, another docuseries about that kooky couple and their self-improvement program/matchmaking service/online cult manifests itself with the debut of “Escaping Twin Flames” Anytime, Netflix
A superstar in virtually everywhere in the world except here, British pop idol “Robbie Williams” looks back on his decades-long career in this new doc. Anytime, Netflix
There’s no business like snow business when Tim Allen returns in a second season of the spinoff fantasy-comedy “The Santa Clauses.” Anytime, Disney+
NBC News’ Lester Holt and Kristen Welker will moderate as some, if not all, of the current pack of GOP candidates meet in Miami at the next Republican Presidential Debate. 5 p.m NBC
Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney, et al., bring the twang at “The 57th Annual CMA Awards.” Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning host the festivities in Nashville. 8 p.m. ABC
Fish are friends, not food — yeah, good luck with that — in “Deep Relationships,” the latest installment of the miniseries “Spy in the Ocean” on “Nature.” 8 p.m. KOCE
Break a leg! The groundbreaking, L.A.-based, Asian American-led theater company East West Players takes center stage on the season finale of “Artbound.” 9 p.m. KCET
Whatcha gonna do when the chips are down, now that the chips are down? Find out when “Nova” takes you inside “China’s Tech Boom” in this new episode. 9 p.m. KOCE
Filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo suffers the slings and arrows of adolescence all over again for your entertainment and/or edification in her deeply personal 2023 doc “You Were My First Boyfriend.” 9 p.m HBO
When burning it down for the insurance money is not an option, host Jasmine Roth rides to the rescue in new episodes of “Help! I Wrecked My House.” 9 p.m. HGTV
… Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you… Veteran agents also talk shop and swap stories in the new docuseries “Feds.” 9 p.m. Investigation Discovery
THURSDAY — Nov. 9
Every time a bell rings, a “Christmas Angel” gets her wings in this new TV movie about a pop star (DaniLeigh) who needs help rekindling her holiday spirit. Anytime, BET+
Rounded third, he was headed for home, it was a brown-eyed handsome man! Filmmaker Sam Pollard pays tribute to the legendary Black baseball stars of yesteryear in the 2023 documentary “The League.” Anytime, Hulu
Time is running out for our hero — okay, reformed villain — “Loki” in the Season 2 finale of this sci-fi/action drama set in the MCU. Tom Hiddleston stars. Anytime, Disney+
Partners-in-rhyme Mia and Shawna (KaMillion, Aida Osman) continue to hip-hop and not stop as the Miami-set comedy “Rap Sh!t” drops its sophomore-season premiere. Anytime, Max
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to “Sesame Street”? This beloved series created by the kindly folks at Children’s Television Workshop is back for a 54th season. Anytime, Max
The movie palace Sid Grumman built is ready for its close-up in the new doc “Temple of Film: 100 Years of the Egyptian Theatre.” With Guillermo Del Toro, Leonard Maltin, et al. Anytime, Netflix
Big Brother is watching you … watching you watch the season finale of “Big Brother,” that is. With host Julie Chen Moonves. 8 p.m. CBS
They’re in need of an altitude adjustment in new episodes of the outdoor survival series “Mountain Men.” 8 p.m. History Channel
FRIDAY — Nov. 10
The name’s Cox … Brian Cox. The “Succession” star calls the shots in the new James Bond-inspired, “Amazing Race”-style competition “007: Road to a Million.” Anytime, Prime Video
A morgue worker fancies herself a modern-day Dr. Frankenstein in Laura Moss’ poignant 2023 horror fable “birth/rebirth.” With Marin Ireland and “Scrubs’” Judy Reyes. Anytime, Shudder
The plan? Co-host an HGTV show while trying keep your marriage and your sanity intact in the darkly comic new series “The Curse.” Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone star. Anytime, Paramount+; also 9 p.m. next Sunday, Showtime
Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids, but they’re gonna build a colony there anyway when the alt-history/sci-fi drama “For All Mankind” blasts off for a new season set in the early 2000s. With Joel Kinnaman and Coral Peña. Anytime, Apple TV+
It’s like 1776 — or 1812 — all over again with the dueling returns of “The Great American Baking Show” and “The Great British Baking Show.” Anytime, Roku; anytime, Netflix
A meticulous and methodical assassin (Michael Fassbender) goes on the lam after a rare miss in David Fincher’s globetrotting 2023 action thriller “The Killer.” With Tilda Swinton. Anytime, Netflix
Two gal pals take a road trip and hook up with a couple of hunks along the way in the new TV movie “Everything Christmas.” With Cindy Busby. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
Jon Stewart hosts and country star Mickey Guyton, Broadway’s Mandy Gonzalez and the U.S. Army Field Band perform in the new special “Salute to Service: A Veterans Day Celebration.” 9 p.m. KOCE
SATURDAY — Nov. 11
An all-new “Variety Salute to Service” calls attention to former armed forces members working to make a difference in their own communities. Navy veteran Montel Williams hosts. 7 p.m. History Channel
De plane, de plane! The pilot of a private jet finds herself making an unscheduled stop on “Christmas Island” in this new TV movie. With Rachel Skarsten. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
The actor, comic and filmmaker born Albert Einstein has his praises sung by the likes of Chris Rock, Larry David and the aforementioned Sarah Silverman in the new documentary “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life.” 8 p.m. HBO
Author and former Navy SEAL Remi Adeleke is your guide to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the Army Special Operations Command in North Carolina in the new special “Beyond the Battlefield” featuring appearances by Peyton Manning and Tony Hawk. 8 p.m. History Channel
A troubled young woman goes full “Single White Female” on her favorite social-media influencer — yeah, there’s a lot of that going around — in the new thriller “Devil on My Doorstep.” With “The Rookie’s” Jenna Dewan. 8 p.m. Lifetime
“Dune’s” Timothée Chalamet hosts and all-female alt-rock supergroup Boygenius performs on a new “Saturday Night Live.” 8:29 and 11:29 p.m. NBC
Celebrity baker Buddy Valastro pulls a double shift with the debut of his new foodie travelogue “Legends of the Fork” followed by the return of “Buddy Valastro’s Cake Dynasty.” 9 and 10 p.m. A&E
Charles Woodson, the only defensive player to ever take home the Heisman Trophy, is profiled on the season finale of “NFL Icons.” 10 p.m. MGM+
Oprah Winfrey gets up close and personal with actor Courtney B. Vance and self-help guru Dr. Robin Smith on a new “OWN Spotlight.” 10 p.m. OWN
(All times Pacific; programming subject to change without notice)
Albert Brooks!