SoCal TV, Nov. 3-9: ‘Santa Tell Me,’ ‘Like Water for Chocolate,’ Election Night 2024 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. 3
A young Mexican woman (Azul Guaita) must learn to take the bitter with the sweet in “Like Water for Chocolate,” a new Spanish-language drama based on Laura Esquivel’s beloved 1989 romantic novel. Anytime, Max; 8 p.m. HBO Latino
Vroom! The story of trailblazing motorsports legend Mary McGee is retold in the new documentary “Motorcycle Mary” on a new “30 for 30.” 11 a.m. ESPN2
The new special “Bill O’Reilly’s Confronting the Presidents” finds the conservative TV host and author offering his rankings of POTUSes past, present and future. 7 p.m. The CW
Politicians, pundits and others weigh in William Jefferson Clinton’s two terms in the Oval Office in the new documentary “Clinton: Portrait of a Presidency.” 8 p.m. The CW
Better late than never, I suppose: “The Simpsons” celebrates the spooky season in this year’s “Treehouse of Horror” episode. 8 p.m. Fox
Two meddling moms inadvertently set in motion a romance between their adult offspring in the new TV movie “Holiday Mismatch.” With Beth Broderick and Caroline Rhea. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
A young woman puts herself in jeopardy to investigate her sibling’s untimely demise in the new thriller “Secrets Between Sisters.” With Jessica Morris. 8 p.m. Lifetime
A long time ago, in a kitchen far, far away … “Holiday Wars.” The baking competition is back for a fifth season. Jonathan Bennett hosts. 9 p.m. Food Network
The new true crime series “Before They Kill Again” features detectives sharing the techniques and tactics they used to bring the worst of the worst to justice. 9 p.m. Investigation Discovery
“Price of Fame: The Liam Payne Story — A Special Edition of 20/20” remembers the pop star and former One Direction member who fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October. 10 p.m. ABC
Out there, the truth is: The new series “Alien Files: Reopened” probes accounts of UFO sightings and other close encounters of the second, third and fourth kinds. 10 p.m. Travel Channel
Monday — Nov. 4
A Black female police detective (Sharon D. Clarke) is dispatched to a different town each episode to crack the tough cases the local constabulary can’t in the British-made mystery drama “Inspector Ellis.” Anytime, Acorn TV
It’s beginning to look a lot like cookies, pies and cakes as “Holiday Baking Championship” returns for another season. Jesse Palmer hosts. 8 p.m. Food Network
Vote early and vote often! “Saturday Night Live” revisits politically-themed sketches from across the series’ five-decade run in “The 2024 SNL Election Special.” 10 p.m. NBC
Tuesday — Nov. 5
Broadcast networks, cable news outlets and streaming platforms will offer live coverage throughout the day and evening of the 2024 Presidential Election. Various times and channels
From blips and bleeps of Pong to the block-based world-building of Minecraft, the new limited series “Game Changers” tells the origin stories of some of the most popular video games. 9 and 10 p.m. Discovery Channel
I voted, you voted, now let’s see where that gets us in “The Daily Show Presents a Live Election Night Special With Jon Stewart: Indecision 2024: Nothing We Can Do About It Now.” 11 p.m. Comedy Central
Wednesday — Nov. 6
If you have to ask, you can’t afford it, but he probably can in “Alan Cumming’s Paradise Homes.” The Tony winner (“Cabaret”) tours some of Britain’s most spectacular properties in this new series. Anytime, Britbox
Love don’t cost a thing but tickets to see the a cappella group Pentatonix do — and they’re sold out! — in the new rom-com “Meet Me Next Christmas.” Christina Milian stars. Anytime, Netflix
A stuntman and an aspiring actress in India get caught up in the world of espionage in “Citadel: Honey Bunny,” the latest entry in the globe-spanning action-drama franchise. 6 p.m. Prime Video
I know a pretty little place in Southern California down San Diego way and “Nature” does too in the new episode “San Diego: America’s Wildest City.” 8 p.m. KOCE
Let’s get small: “Nova” takes you down to the subatomic level to see what’s shaking in the new episode “Decoding the Universe: Quantum.” 9 p.m. KOCE
Where’s the beef? The new true crime series “Feuds Turned Fatal” examines cases where friends, family members, coworkers, et al., took their interpersonal conflicts to the lethal next level. 10 p.m. Investigation Discovery
Thursday — Nov. 7
A veteran blues singer (Eboni Owens) takes a stroll down memory lane with her younger self as her guide in the new fantasy tale “A Christmas Miracle.” Anytime, BET+
In this corner… The new docuseries “Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson” offers a preview of the upcoming Nov. 15 bout between social media star Jake Paul and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Anytime, Netflix
It starts with a double kidnapping in Orange County and then things get weird — and then even weirder — in the true crime tale “Dickweed: A Smugshot Special.” Anytime, Sundance Now
Gal pals gone wild! Reality TV regulars Nivea, Eva Marcille, Tammy Rivera and London Hughes take a little vacay in Vietnam in the new series “Eat Slay Love.” Anytime, Peacock
An unsuspecting British woman makes a love connection with a murderer and lives to tell the tale in the new fact-based series “Until I Kill You.” With Anna Maxwell Martin. Anytime, BritBox
A shop owner and her three besties/co-workers each find romance in the new four-film anthology “Unwrapping Christmas.” With Natalie Hall. Anytime, Hallmark+
The “E60” documentary “Pat Tillman: Life. Death. Legacy.” includes new reporting on the story of the NFL star turned Army Ranger and the coverup that ensued following his death in a friendly-fire accident in Afghanistan in 2004. 4 p.m. ESPN
“Happy Endings’” Casey Wilson guest stars on a new episode of the “Young Sheldon” spin-off/sequel “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.” 8 p.m. CBS
Better pack a parka, because every case is a cold case in new episodes of the docuseries “Alaska PD.” 9 p.m. A&E
That’s the way the cookie crumbles in the return of the seasonal baking competition “Christmas Cookie Challenge.” Eddie Jackson hosts. 9 p.m. Food Network
“Desperate Housewives’” Vanessa Williams guests on a new episode of the “Good Wife” spinoff “Elsbeth.” With Carrie Preston. 10 p.m. CBS
They still have ways of making you talk in new episodes of the true crime series “Interrogation Raw.” 10 p.m. A&E
Friday — Nov. 8
A British couple are in for the ride of their lives, and it just might be their last, in the 2024 thriller “Black Cab.” With Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead”). Anytime, Shudder
Co-hosts Jessica Alba and Lizzy Mathis come to the rescue of a large family desperately in need of room to grow in “A Holiday Home Makeover” on a new “Honest Renovations.” Anytime, Roku
Veteran journalist reporter George Knapp also probes reports of strange visitors from other worlds in the new docuseries “Investigation Alien.” Anytime, Netflix
There’s gold in them thar hills — otherwise, it wouldn’t be much of a show — as the unscripted series “Gold Rush” returns for a 15th season. 8 p.m. Discovery Channel
A college professor hooks up with the football team’s hunky offensive coordinator in the new TV movie “Trivia at St. Nick’s.” With Tammin Sursok. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
Country music’s Mickey Guyton is among the performers in the new special “Salute to Service 2024: A Veterans Day Celebration.” 9 p.m. KOCE
A special “Cold Case Files” recalls the hunt for the “Grim Sleeper,” a serial killer who terrorized the streets of South Central L.A. for a quarter-century. Regina Hall narrates. 9 p.m. A&E
Saturday — Nov. 9
A retired ballerina dances her way into a romance in the new TV movie “A Royal Christmas Ballet.” With Brittany Underwood. 5 p.m. GAF
Gee, Wally! “Leave It to Beaver’s” Jerry Mathers is singled out for special honors at “The 27th Annual Family Film and TV Awards.” 8 p.m. CBS
Don’t I know you from somewhere? “When Calls the Heart’s” Erin Krakow is reunited with her hunky former co-star Daniel Lissing in the new TV movie “Santa Tell Me.” 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel
A rookie cop and single mom (“Claws’” Karrueche Tran) helps hunt down a murderer in the new fact-based TV movie “Searching for a Serial Killer: The Regina Smith Story.” 8 p.m. Lifetime
Comic Bill Burr hosts and singer-songwriter Mk.gee performs on a new “Saturday Night Live.” 8:29 and 11:29 p.m. NBC
(All times Pacific; programming subject to change without notice)