SoCal TV, Nov. 24-30: Thanksgiving Day, the NFL, the Beatles, holiday rom-coms and more
TV shows, movies, sports and specials on broadcast, cable and streaming this coming week
Welcome to an all-new TV or Not TV roundup of new and noteworthy programming on broadcast, cable and streaming this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Sunday — Nov. 24
A woman who works for an online retailer hooks up with a hunky candlemaker/single dad in the new TV movie “Christmas by Candlelight.” With Erin Agostino. 5 p.m. GAF
The CIA’s daring plan to rescue six American diplomats hiding in Tehran during the 1979 Iranian Revolution — as dramatized in the 2012 film “Argo” — is recalled on the season finale of “How It Really Happened with Jesse L. Martin.” 6 and 9 p.m. CNN
“When are they going to get to the fireworks factory?!” Pamela Hayden, who supplies the voice of Bart’s best friend Milhouse, et al., signs off after 35 seasons on a very special “Treehouse of Horror” episode of “The Simpsons.” 8 p.m. Fox
A bride-to-be and her intended are put through their paces in a series of boot camp-style relationship challenges in the new TV movie “To Have and to Holiday.” With Madeleine Arthur. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
An event planner with a unique psychic ability hooks up with a hunky realtor in the new TV movie “Sincerely Truly Christmas.” With Paula Brancati. 8 p.m. Lifetime
Is there a doctor in the house? Yes, there are, several in fact, as the reality series “Married to Medicine” returns for an 11th season. 9 p.m. Bravo
The four-part documentary series “Tsunami: Race Against Time” details the devastation wrought by the Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed nearly a quarter of a million lives in 2004. 9 and 10 p.m. National Geographic; concludes Tuesday
Monday — Nov. 25
Climate change activist Greta Thunberg and rock climber Alex Honnold are among the notable figures sharing their insights into their particular areas of expertise in the new series “Acorn TV X TED: Transform Your Thinking.” Anytime, Acorn TV
Stuff this in your stocking! “Family Guy,” Seth MacFarlane’s irreverent, long-running animated series, presents a special streaming-only Christmas episode. Anytime, Hulu
The new documentary series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?” re-investigates the still unsolved murder of the six-year-old children’s beauty pageant contestant in her hometown of Boulder, Colo. in 1996. Anytime, Netflix
A British Jamaican detective, formerly of Scotland Yard, tackles tough missing-persons cases back in her hometown of Kingston in the new mystery drama “Get Millie Black.” With Tamara Lawrence. 9 p.m. HBO
The efforts of Baltimore’s idealistic young mayor Brandon Scott to put an end to the chronic gun violence in his city are examined in the 2023 documentary “The Body Politic” on a new “POV.” 10 p.m. KOCE
Tuesday — Nov. 26
A veteran comic delivers more of his trademark dark humor in his typically deadpan manner in the new standup special “Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All.” Anytime, Netflix
The new docuseries “It’s in the Game: Madden NFL” remembers the late, great football coach and TV commentator and his role in helping create the popular video game franchise that bears his name. Anytime, Prime Video
The shocking murder of mother, teacher and Indigenous rights activist Annie Mae Aquash in South Dakota in 1976 is recalled in the new docuseries “Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae.” Anytime, Hulu
See who waltzes off with the mirrorball trophy this time ’round in the 33rd season finale of the reality competition “Dancing With the Stars.” 8 p.m. ABC; Disney+
Chef Lidia Bastianich talks with farmers, culinary types and others breaking new ground in how food is grown, delivered, prepared, etc. in “Changemakers” on a new “Lidia Celebrates America.” 9 p.m. KOCE
Eddie Murphy, who rose to fame on “Saturday Night Live” before blazing a trail through stand-up and the movies, is profiled in the first of two new episodes of “Black Comedy in America.” 9 and 10 p.m. Vice Network
“Frontline” correspondent Martin Smith profiles the leader of one of America’s biggest rivals on the world stage in the new episode in “China, the U.S. & the Rise of Xi Jinping.“ 10 p.m. KOCE
Wednesday — Nov. 27
See what’s cooking in fine-dining establishments from Philly to Mexico City in a seventh season of the foodie travelogue “Chef’s Table.” Anytime, Netflix
“Mean Girl’s” Lindsay Lohan plays a woman forced to share close quarters with her ex — without their respective current partners catching wise — in the new holiday rom-com “Our Little Secret.” Anytime, Netflix
“Reno 911!’s” Wendi McLendon-Covey is your hostess with the mostest in the new behind-the-scenes special “Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” 8 p.m. NBC
“SNL” warms up some leftover Turkey Day-themed sketches from seasons past in the new special “A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving.” 9 p.m. NBC
Author P.L. Travers’ practically perfect nanny, famously portrayed by Julie Andrews in the beloved 1964 film, is celebrated in “The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20.” 9 p.m. ABC
It’s make-or-break time as the three-part engineering-themed series “Building Stuff” concludes on a new “Nova.” 9 p.m. KOCE
“Expedition: Unknown’s” Josh Gates takes a deep dive into some of history’s greatest mysteries in his latest series, “Expedition Files.” 9 p.m. Discovery Channel
Thursday — Nov. 28
“All the Queen’s Men” continue to dance sans pants in a fourth season of this gritty drama about the cutthroat owner (Eva Marcille) of an all-male strip club in Atlanta. Anytime, BET+
“Is It Cake?“ That is still the question in a special holiday-themed edition of this baking competition hosted by “SNL’s” Mikey Day. Anytime, Netflix
A cable news commentator (“Euphoria’s” Colman Domingo) finds himself the prime suspect in the murder of a notorious white supremacist in the new suspense drama “The Madness.” Anytime, Netflix
Taye Diggs, country music’s Martina McBride and “SNL’s” Heidi Gardner serve as judges as formally aspiring entertainers aspire once more in the new talent competition “Second Chance Stage.” Anytime, Max
Kiernan Shipka and “Booksmart’s” Nico Hiraga play college freshman and BFFs looking to disentangle themselves from the “Sweethearts” they left behind in their hometown in this raunchy 2024 comedy. Anytime, Max
The floats, character balloons, marching bands and Santa all return — along with “Today’s” Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker as hosts — for “The 98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” 8:30 a.m. NBC, Peacock
A cornucopia of NFL Football matchups kicks off with the Bears versus the Lions, continues with the Cowboys versus the Giants, and concludes with the Dolphins versus Packers. 9:30 a.m. CBS; 1:30 p.m. Fox; 5:15 p.m. NBC
Prize pooches promenade at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in this year's edition of “The National Dog Show.” John O’Hurley (”Seinfeld”) and David Frei return as co-hosts. Noon, NBC
The trials and tribulations that inspired one of 19th century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s most famous works are dramatized in the 2022 tale “I Heard the Bells.” 5 p.m. GAF
Hallmark regular Rachel Boston assumes the mantle of the titular do-gooder previously played by Doris Roberts and Caroline Rhea in the new holiday fable “Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle.” 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
Friday — Nov. 29
I spy “X-Men’s” Michael Fassbender playing a deep-cover CIA operative in the new espionage drama “The Agency.” Richard Gere, Jeffrey Wright and Jodie Turner-Smith also star. Anytime, Paramount+; also 9 p.m. next Sunday, Showtime
“Beatles ’64,” a new documentary from Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi, uses recently restored rare archival footage plus new interviews to tell how Liverpool’s Fab Four first took America by storm some six decades ago. Anytime, Disney+
Sexy singles of a certain age try to get back in the game — with a little help from family, friends and a professional dating coach — in the new reality series “The Later Daters.” Anytime, Netflix
Ben Stiller plays a big-city bachelor who decamps for rural Ohio to look after his four rambunctious but recently orphaned nephews in the raucous 2024 holiday comedy “Nutcrackers.” Linda Cardellini also stars. Anytime, Hulu
You and your friends are out camping in the woods, making s’mores and having a great time, but then, wouldn’t you know it, “Out Come the Wolves” in this 2024 survival thriller. “FBI’s” Missy Peregrym stars. Anytime, Shudder
Watch as more youngsters see their Christmas wishes come true, courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service’s Operation Santa, in new episodes of “Dear Santa, The Series.” Anytime, Hulu
Someday her prince will come, but preferably by December 25, in the new holiday romance “A Cinderella Christmas Ball.” “The Wonder Years’” Danica McKellar stars. 5 p.m. GAF
A magical rideshare transports a lonely lawyer back in time for a decades-overdue do-over in the new fantasy tale “A ’90s Christmas.” With Eva Bourne. 6 p.m. Hallmark Channel
Michael Bublé and “Wicked’s” Cynthia Erivo are among music stars singing the praises of a beloved Hollywood composer in “Henry Mancini 100 at the Hollywood Bowl” on a new “Great Performances.” 8 p.m. KOCE
A big-city interior designer decamps for suburban Ohio to help her brother pull off a house flip for charity in the new holiday romance “Deck the Walls.” With “Twilight’s” Ashley Greene. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
The three-part true-crime documentary “Lady of the Dunes: Hunting a Cape Cod Killer” unravels the mystery of a California woman found murdered in a Massachusetts beach town in 1974. 8 and 9 p.m. Oxygen; concludes 9 p.m. Saturday
The new special “Blue Bloods: Celebrating a Family Legacy” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the long-running Tom Selleck police drama ahead of its December 13th series finale. 9 p.m. CBS
The Canadian-made family sitcom “Children Ruin Everything” clocks in for a fourth season. With Aaron Abrams and Meaghan Rath. 9 and 9:30 p.m. The CW
Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins and Christopher Cross are among the 1970s-era music stars singing each other’s praises in the new special “Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary.” 9 p.m. HBO
Saturday — Nov. 30
A dispirited woman gets her holiday groove back, with a little help from a hunky stranger, in the new fantasy comedy “Believe in Christmas.” With Meghan Ory. 6 p.m. Hallmark Channel
A single gal and her family of diehard football fans leave it all on the field in the new cameo-filled TV movie “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” With Hunter King, Chiefs coach Andy Reid, NFL mom Donna Kelce, et al. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
Gospel great Bebe Winans stars as a widower attempting to forge a lasting peace between his three estranged daughters in the inspirational new TV movie “BeBe Winans’ We Three Kings.” 8 p.m. Lifetime
(All times Pacific; programming subject to change without notice)