Also: a new show based on a Grant Morrison comic book, a Dian Fossey miniseries, a Carol Burnett anniversary special, and a new period drama.
A new month begins with high stakes for period dramas as Netflix’s crowning jewel returns for its second season and History debuts a new take on legendary knights. A beloved comedy also makes a long-awaited comeback after a three-year absence, while a Grant Morrison comic book premieres as an off-the-chain series. Finally, two revolutionary women are honored, one with a comedy special and the other a documentary miniseries.
To help you keep track of the most important programs over the next seven days, here’s our guide to everything worth watching, whether it’s on broadcast, cable, or streaming for December 3rd –9th (all times Eastern):
The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special (CBS, Sunday 8pm)
Everyone who has been part of Saturday Night Live – from Chevy Chase to Kate McKinnon – stands in some way on Carol Burnett’s shoulders. After all, her variety program paved the way for future sketch comedy shows like SNL, In Living Color, and more. In the golden anniversary of The Carol Burnett Show, former cast members, friends, and guest stars such as Tom Selleck, Jim Carrey, Bill Hader, Kristen Chenoweth, Stephen Colbert, and many others reunite to celebrate the legendary comedienne in a special event.
The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee (HBO, Monday 8pm)
In a day and age when “alternative facts” are a thing and the integrity of journalism is put into question, The Newspaperman seems to arrive just in the nick of time. Based on Ben Bradlee’s memoirs, this HBO documentary looks back at the life and work of the executive editor of The Washington Post and his involvement with some of the biggest moments of 20th century American history. The tale of a journalist with a deep interest in the truth – who locked horns with a sitting president amidst a high-profile investigation – feels very timely. The doc also includes interviews with figures like Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Henry Kissinger, and Robert Redford, among others. Consider it a good warm up for Steven Spielberg’s movie The Post, in which Tom Hanks plays the late editor.
Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist (Nat Geo, Wednesday 9pm)
Sigourney Weaver reprises her role as primatologist Dian Fossey for this three-part documentary special. Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist combines excerpts from the scientist’s own writings, narrated by Weaver, with over 40 hours of rare and previously unseen footage of her up-close study of gorillas, piecing together the career of the famed primatologist. The limited series tells the inspiring story of Fossey’s life, as it also tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her untimely death.
Happy! (Syfy, Wednesday 10pm)
We’ve had our fair share of offbeat TV shows this year, but Happy! will probably be the cherry on top of the 2017 bizarre TV sundae. Based on Grant Morrison’s graphic novel, the show follows a former cop turned hard-partying hitman (Christopher Meloni) who, after a near-death experience, begins to see a little blue flying horse named Happy (voiced by Patton Oswalt). Think Detective Stabler taking a walk on the wild side with an imaginary friend. Together, the two try to rescue a young girl from a psycho killer in a Santa suit. Happy! won’t pull any punches: the language is foul and the violence is graphic. Also, Morrison is the series showrunner while Crank’s Brian Taylor directs. The perfect way to wrap up a year full of oddball TV goodness.
Knightfall (History, Wednesday 10pm)
If you liked the concept of the Templar Knights as seen in The Da Vinci Code or National Treasure but wished to dive deeper into their history and maybe even throw in a little period drama, History’s latest series has you covered. Produced by Jeremy Renner, Knightfall centers on Sir Landry (Tom Cullen), a faithful member of the clandestine Catholic militia, and his quest to retrieve the Holy Grail. As a clue of the whereabouts of the relic emerges, the King of France tries to get the Knights under his thumb, and a traitor within their ranks plots a betrayal. Through 10 episodes, the series will not only offer high-stakes action but also a deep look into medieval politics and warfare. A good companion for Vikings.
Psych: The Movie (USA, Thursday 8pm)
Part of the charm behind Psych s its clear love for pop culture and movie references, and now, the beloved show is coming full circle with its own film. Psych: The Movie reunites fake psychic Shawn (James Roday) with his partner Gus (Dulé Hill) three years after the events of the series finale, when a mysterious assailant targets one of their friends during the holidays. The original cast – Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Corbin Bernsen, and Kirsten Nelson – will also join the new case, along with newcomer Zachary Levi and several fan-favorite characters, including Kurt Fuller, Ralph Macchio, and John Cena. Creator Steve Franks wrote the script along with Roday, who also helmed the two-hour special. We waited for it, and now it’s finally here. Bring on the pineapples.
The Crown (Netflix, Friday)
Among the many period dramas that have graced our screens in the last few years, The Crown stands out as one of the most lavish in terms of performances, cinematography, and production value. Now, Netflix’s crown jewel finally returns, and it keeps the quality bar raised as high as the stakes. After covering the Queen’s marriage to Prince Philip in the first season, Season 2 will take place in the ’60s and will focus on all the changes and turmoil that both the Royal family and the world faced. We will see more of Prince Philip’s (Matt Smith) personal history, as well as the volatile relationship between Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) and photographer and Lord-to-be Antony Armstrong-Jones (Matthew Goode). We’ll also get to see new faces, like Michael C. Hall as John F. Kennedy and Jodi Balfour as Jackie Kennedy. Sadly, this release marks the last time we will get to see Claire Foy as the monarch, before Season 3 makes a time jump and overhauls the main cast with more senior actors.
SUNDAY
Outlander S3E12 “The Bakra” (Starz, 8pm)
The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special (CBS, 8pm) – comedy special
The Simpsons S29E8 “Mr. Lisa’s Opus” (FOX, 8pm)
Ghosted S1E8 “Haunted Hayride” (FOX, 8:30pm)
Family Guy S16E8 “Crimes and Meg’s Demeanor” (FOX, 9pm)
The Girlfriend Experience S2E9&10 “Family” & “Living Like A Tornado” (Starz, 9pm)
The Walking Dead S8E7 “Time for After” (AMC, 9pm)
The Last Man on Earth S4E8 “Not Appropriate for Miners” (FOX, 9:30pm)
Curb Your Enthusiasm S9E10 “Fatwa!” (HBO, 10pm) – season finale
Search Party S2E5&6 “Paranoia” & “Obsession” (TBS, 10pm)
SMILF S1E5 “Run, Bridgette, Run or Forty-Eight Burnt Cupcakes & Graveyard Rum” (Showtime, 10pm)
White Famous S1E9 “Scandal” (Showtime, 10pm)
Ill Behaviour S1E4 (Showtime, 10:30pm)
MONDAY
Lucifer S3E9 “The Sinnerman” (FOX, 8pm)
Supergirl S3E9 “Reign” (The CW, 8pm)
The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee (HBO, 8pm) – documentary premiere
The Gifted S1E9 “outfoX” (FOX, 9pm)
The Good Doctor S1E10 “Sacrifice” (ABC, 10pm)
TUESDAY
Craig Ferguson: Tickle Fight (Netflix) – standup comedy special
Marvel’s Runaways S1E5 “Kingdom” (Hulu)
The Flash S4E9 “Don’t Run” (The CW, 8pm)
Lethal Weapon S2E9 “Fools Rush In” (FOX, 8pm)
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow S3E9 “Beebo the God of War” (The CW, 9pm)
Who Killed Tupac? S1E5&6 “Devil In A Red Suit/Tupac, The Revolutionary” (A&E, 9pm)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine S5E9 “99” (FOX, 9:30pm)
The Mayor S1E8 “Monuments Man” (ABC, 9:30pm)
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World S1E8 “Chrysalis” (ABC, 10pm)
WEDNESDAY
Shut Eye S2 (Hulu) – season premiere
Riverdale S2E8 “Chapter Twenty-One: House of the Devil” (The CW, 8pm)
Speechless S2E9 “S-t-Star W-Wars” (ABC, 8:30pm)
Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist S1E1 (Nat Geo, 9pm) – mini documentary series premiere
Law & Order: SVU S19E8 “Intent” (NBC, 9pm)
Modern Family S9E9 “Tough Love” (ABC, 9pm)
Criminal Minds S13E9 “False Flag” (CBS, 10pm)
Designated Survivor S2E9 “Three-Letter Day” (ABC, 10pm)
Happy! S1E1 “Saint Nick” (Syfy, 10pm) – series premiere
Knightfall S1E1 “You’d Know What To Do” (History, 10pm) – series premiere
Mr. Robot S3E9 “eps3.8_stage3.torrent” (USA, 10pm)
The A-Word S2E5 “Family Album” (Sundance, 10pm)
Broad City S4E10 “Friendiversary” (Comedy Central, 10:30pm) – season finale
THURSDAY
32 Pills: My Sister’s Suicide (HBO, 8pm) – documentary premiere
Psych: The Movie (USA, 8pm) – movie premiere
Gotham S4E11 “Queen Takes Knight” (FOX, 8pm)
Supernatural S13E9 “The Bad Place” (The CW, 8pm)
Arrow S6E9 “Irreconcilable Differences” (The CW, 9pm)
The Orville S1E12 “Mad Idolatry” (FOX, 9pm) – season finale
Van Helsing S2E9 “Wakey, Wakey” (Syfy, 9pm)
Ghost Wars S1E9 “Post-Apocalypse Now” (Syfy, 10pm)
S.W.A.T S1E6 “Octane” (CBS, 10pm)
FRIDAY
El Camino Christmas (Netflix) – movie premiere
The Crown S2 (Netflix) – season premiere
The Grand Tour S2 (Amazon) – season premiere
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend S3E7 “Getting Over Jeff” (The CW, 8pm)
Once Upon a Time S7E9 “One Little Tear” (ABC, 8pm)
Jane The Virgin S4E7 “Chapter Seventy-One” (The CW, 9pm)
The Exorcist S2E9 “Ritual & Repetition” (FOX, 9pm)
Z Nation S4E11 “Return to Mercy Labs” (Syfy, 9pm)
Superstition S1E7 “Echoes of My Mind” (Syfy, 10pm)
SATURDAY
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency S2E9 “Trouble Is Bad” (BBC America, 9pm)
