DECEMBER: its not just about holiday movies

Sure, Eddie Murphy has finally done a Christmas movie. Look, bills are bills, the man has, like, 20 kids. Besides, he’s not just Gumby, dammit. There is, however, something for everyone on this last month of 2023. Below is a look at the month on television. Please check back often as this list will be updated weekly. UPDATED DEC. 13

FRI/DEC. 1

Candy Cane Lane (Prime Video). Eddie Murphy’s neighbours all get turning into “weird, Happy Meal toys” in this be-careful-what-you-wish-for holiday movie. Co-stars Jillian Bell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Nick Offerman, Ken Marino, and Robin Thede. Directed by Reginald Hudlin.

We Dare to Dream (Peacock). This sports documentary profiles refugee athletes from Iran, Syria, South Sudan and Cameroon. Watch as they swim, run and fight their way to opportunity and safety in host nations across the world. Executive produced by Angelina Jolie and John Legend.

May-December (Netflix). Julianne Moore stars as Gracie, a woman who went into hiding after being imprisoned for a relationship with a 13-year-old boy. Now she has to put up with an actress (played by Natalie Portman) hired to play Grace in a movie. Directed by Todd Haynes.

The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd (History). The SNL Hall of Famer and former Ghostbuster hosts this new reality series investigating history’s most mind-blowing stories.

SAT/DEC. 2

Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder (Disney+). Second of three new Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials starring past Time Lord favourite David Tennant.

MON/DEC. 4

Blake Shelton’s Holiday Bartacular Featuring Ice T (NBC). It’s like the traditional broadcast networks are daring you to cut the cable and go full streaming.

Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage & Reckoning (HBO; Max; Crave). Looks at the rush-to-justice and the ensuing race-based hostilities that broke out in Boston after a white couple called 911 to report a shooting by a Black man. Three parts.

TUES/DEC. 5

Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Human Too? (Paramount+). The awesome Rush frontman hosts this series where he interviews other bass players and finds out if they are also awesome. Geddy will visit Krist Novoselic of Nirvana, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Melissa Auf der Maur (Smashing Pumpkins and Hole), and well the legendary Les Claypool (Primus). Four episodes.

THURS/DEC. 7

Archie (BritBox). Following the life and career of Hollywood’s Cary Grant (played by Jason Isaacs from the “Harry Potter” films), who was born into poverty in 1904 Bristol as Archibald Leach. The four-part miniseries is written and executive produced by Stan & Ollie writer Jeff Pope.

FRI/DEC. 8

Leave the World Behind (Netflix). Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la Herrold, and Kevin Bacon star in this movie about a white family from New York who rent a home for a vacation from a Black family in the Hamptons. Also playing in theatres. Written and directed by Sam Esmail.

Mr. Monk’s Last Case (Peacock). Tony Shalhoub, who hasn’t played the germaphobic character since 2009, returns as detective Adrian Monk. Ted Levine, Melora Hardin, Traylor Howard, Jason Gray-Stanford, and Hector Elizondo, James Purefoy and Caitlin McGee also star.

A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop (CBS; Paramount+). Music special.

MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays (Fox). Two-part, four-hour holiday version of the kiddie cooking reality series adds plenty of eggnog. Concludes the next day.

SAT/DEC. 9

30 for 30: The Great Heisman Race of 1997 (ESPN). Sports documentary.

MON/DEC. 11

Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas (NBC; Peacock). Manilow is wheeled out of his crypt and re-animated for this festive holiday special from the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Big Brother: Reindeer Games (CBS). Like other versions of Big Brother, except this time the residents of the Big Brother house are knee deep in reindeer shit. Ho-ho-ho!

TUES/DEC. 12

Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only (Netflix). From back in the day to the top of their game, Kevin Hart and Chris Rock offer an unparalleled, behind-the-scenes look at their friendship and careers. Documentary features commentary from Wanda Sykes, Dave LaChapelle, Tiffany Haddish, Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Burr and others.

The Masked Singer Holiday Sing-Along (Fox; CTV). This is what we’re down to for Christmas specials nowadays folks.

THURS/DEC. 14

The Crown (Netflix). The series ends with its final six episodes about those ridiculous rich scammer Brits who live off the backs of working commoners.

FRI/DEC. 15

Barbie (Max; Crave). The doll who headlines the year’s No. 1 movie comes to streaming. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell. Max and Crave will also be streaming Barbie with ASL for those who read American Sign Language.

SAT/DEC. 16

Leo Reich: Who Really Cares? (HBO; Crave). The young comedian, a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, dares you to laugh at his blend of songs, anecdotes and non-sequiturs.

SUN/DEC. 17

Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration (CBS; Paramount+). Fire up a dart and salute the red grey-headed stranger. Taped earlier this year at the Hollywood Bowl, this concert features collaborations by Nelson, Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Dave Matthews, Nelson’s sons Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson, Keith Richards, George Strait and Chris Stapleton. Hosted by Jennifer Garner, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren and Owen Wilson.

WED/DEC. 20

(Crave). The King, Toronto Maple Leafs star defenseman Borje Salming, is profiled in this Swedish-Canadian co-production. Starring Valter Skarsgärd as Salming, along with Hedda Stiernstedt, Jason Priestley (as former Leafs’ scout and GM Gerry McNamara), A.C. Petersen, Jack Langedijk, Oscar Skagerberg, Kelly Van der Burg, and Jon McClaren.

Daniel (HBO; Crave). A unique documentary about Daniel Northcott, who, at the age of seven, started his father’s video recorder to start taping his life. He traveled the world, recording his adventures and picking up souvenirs. Returning home to Vancouver, he fell ill, was convened about an ancient Mayan curse, and tried to put back all his treasures before running out of time.

THURS/DEC. 21

Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic (CBS; Paramount+). Saluting the career of the iconic actor and performer for his 98^th birthday. The two-hour tribute will travel back in time to the set of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and feature dazzling music and dance spectacles, heartfelt performances, special guests and a magical holiday number. Listen for music from “Mary Poppins,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and more.

The Christmas Break (Fox). Justin Long and India Mullen star as a couple who travel to Ireland for Christmas where they confront their marital difficulties with her large extended family.

MON/DEC. 25

Letterkenny (Crave). Final season.