What to watch for the weekend of Dec. 16
Sunday
“Joe Bob’s Ghoultide Get-Together” (Shudder): Joe Bob Briggs from “The Last Drive-in” slides down the chimney with a double dose of cheesy B-movie chill.
“1923” (Paramount+): Hello, partners! Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren lead the Dutton clan during the Great Depression in the latest prequel to the Yellowstone franchise.
FIFA World Cup (Fox, Telemundo, 10:00am ET): Argentina meet France in the final of the quadrennial soccer tournament in Qatar.
When Christmas Was Young (CBS, 8:00 p.m.): A singer-songwriter (Karen David) meets a handsome manager in this new made-for-TV movie, featuring original music by Sheryl Crow.
“Hanukkah on Rye” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.): The owner of a Jewish deli takes on a handsome rival in this new TV movie. With “Jane the Virgin” actress Yael Grobglas, Jeremy Jordan (“Smash”) and Lisa Loeb.
“Wrapped Up in Love” (Lifetime, 8:00 p.m.): A Christmas-loving girl meets the handsome new girl in town in this new TV movie. With Brittany Bristow.
“This Is Life with Lisa Ling” (CNN, 9 and 10 p.m.): The TV journalist’s revealing series says goodbye after nine seasons with two new episodes.
Monday
Three Minutes: A Lengthening (Hulu): Life in a small Jewish community in Poland in 1938 is explored through rare footage in this haunting 2021 documentary. Helena Bonham Carter narrates.
“Lego Masters” (Fox, 8:00 p.m.; also Tuesday-Wednesday): Cheryl Hines, Finesse Mitchell and the late Leslie Jordan are among the celebs taking part in a special holiday edition of the competition.
Holiday Baking Championship and Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown (Food Network, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.): The competitive series and its spin-off present their respective season finale.
“Mary Berry’s Ultimate Christmas” (PBS, 9 p.m.): The former star of the “Great British Baking Show” dishes up seasonal favorites in this new special.
“The Wheel” (NBC, 10 p.m.; also Tuesday-Friday): Christina Ricci, Tony Hawk and Andy Richter are among the celebs taking part in this new trivia challenge.
Tuesday
“Dating Death” (Sundance Now): The shocking tale of a serial killer shattered by an appearance on a 1970s TV game show is retold in this new three-part docuseries.
“Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas Everyone!” (CBS, 8:00 p.m.): The chart-topping star graces the stage at New York’s Madison Square Garden in this new concert special.
“Frontline” (PBS, 10 p.m.): A new episode examines reports of Russian war crimes in Ukraine and portrays an immigrant family separated at the US-Mexico border.
Wednesday
Emily in Paris (Netflix): Our quintessentially American girl’s Gallic adventures continue in a third season of this gritty rom-com. Lily Collins stars in the lead role.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Prime Video): The dark adventures of our all-American CIA agent continue in the third season of this action-packed drama. John Krasinski stars.
“The Letter: A Message for Our Earth” (PBS, 8 p.m.): Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical calling for global efforts to tackle climate change is examined in this 2022 documentary.
Fuhgeddabout Christmas (VH1, 8 p.m.): Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice directs the cast of this new Christmas comedy.
“Homeward Bound: A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon” (CBS, 9:00 p.m.): Mr. Simon, my old friend, you’ve come to sing your songs again in this new star-studded special. Featuring Garth Brooks, The Jonas Brothers, Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, et al.
Thursday
The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock): The whole gang is here in this new series that wraps up the film franchise. With Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, et al.
I Hate Suzie (HBO Max): Billie Piper returns as the hard-to-love former teen pop star in a second season of this darkly funny British drama.
Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount+): Tom Cruise pushes the limits yet again in this high-flying 2022 sequel to the 1986 action-drama. Other stars include Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and Val Kilmer.
Friday
“Family Dinner” (HBO Max, Discovery+): “What’s on our menu?” says celebrity chef Andrew Zimmer as he invites himself to a third season of his foodie travelogue.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix): We announce Daniel Craig returns as Southern detective Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s star-studded 2022 sequel to his hit 2019 crime thriller.
Pinata Masters (Netflix): Contestants try out their own candy-filled paper mache creatures in this new competition.
Saving Christmas Spirit (AMC+): An American archaeologist in Scotland meets a handsome distillery owner in this new TV movie. With Ashley Newbrough.
“Sharp Stick” (Hulu): A sheltered 20-year-old (Kristine Froseth) has an affair with her married employer (Jon Bernthal) in this 2022 comedy from “Girls” creator Lena Dunham. With Jennifer Jason Leigh.
24th Annual a Home for the Holidays at the Grove (CBS, 8:00 p.m.): Little Big Town, American Idol’s Katharine McPhee and others are among the stars helping raise awareness of adoption in this new Special to sharpen. Hostess is Gloria Estefan.
Saturday
Tracking Santa (Hulu): Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s an airplane! It’s jolly old St. Nick himself in this new family-friendly Christmas Eve special.
63rd Annual LA County Holiday Celebration (PBS, 3:00 p.m.): Numerous Los Angeles music and dance groups including the Mariachis Las Colibrí and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will close the celebrations live from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on.
“A Christmas Story” (TBS, 8:00 p.m.; TNT, 9:00 p.m.): The annual 24-hour dual-channel marathon of the nostalgic 1983 Christmas comedy is back, showing every two hours. With Peter Billingsley.
“Christmas Eve Mass” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.): The aforementioned Pope Francis officiates from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
____
(Los Angeles Times List Editor Matt Cooper compiled this column.)
____
