ABC reveals holiday programming schedule

November 1, 2024

Disney/Pamela Littky

‘Tis the season: ABC has revealed its slate of holiday programming.

Specials on the holiday schedule include The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular on Dec. 1, CMA Country Christmas on Dec. 3, and The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on Dec. 25.

On Dec. 4, Abbott Elementary airs a one-hour holiday special starting at 8 p.m. ET, and on Dec. 5, the new season of The Great Christmas Light Fight debuts at 8 p.m. ET. There will also be holiday-themed episodes of Press Your Luck, Celebrity Family Feud and Shark Tank, as well as special airings of The Sound of Music, Home Alone and The Santa Clause.

Additional programming includes ABC News’ celebration of the 60th anniversary of Mary Poppins with The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20 on Nov. 27, followed by The Wonderful World of Disney presents Mary Poppins, airing the next day.

Weekend Watchlist: What’s new on streaming

Ready, set, binge! Here’s a look at some of the new movies and TV shows streaming this weekend:

Apple TV+
Wolfs: George Clooney and Brad Pitt reunite in the new action-comedy film.

Paramount+
Apartment 7A: A young dancer is offered a second chance at fame in the new thriller prequel to Rosemary’s Baby.

Netflix
The Great British Baking Show: It’s time to return to the tent! Make sure to leave your soggy bottoms behind. The baking competition show returns for a brand-new season.

Will & Harper: Will Ferrell takes a road trip with his friend shortly after she comes out as a trans woman in the new documentary film.

Rez Ball: LeBron James produces the new movie all about a Native American high school basketball team striving for success.

Prime Video
My Old A**: An 18-year-old girl comes face to face with her 39-year-old self in the coming-of-age film.

That’s all for this week’s Weekend Watchlist – happy streaming!

Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix, director Todd Phillips talk ‘Joker’ sequel

Good Morning America

Joker: Folie à Deux is almost here, and ahead of its premiere, the stars of the film — Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix — opened up on some of the challenges they faced while making the highly anticipated sequel.

“We were under a microscope from the very beginning, and then we bring Lady Gaga in,” director Todd Phillips told Good Morning America in an interview. “But it’s kind of the ‘why’ we do what we do, right? To take risks.”

Since the news of the sequel to Phillips’ 2019 Joker film was announced, audiences have been excited to see what’s in store for the protagonist, Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), who, in the first film, is introduced as a failed clown and aspiring stand-up comedian in Gotham City.

He transforms into the Joker, a criminal mastermind, after several moments in the film show how he’s isolated, bullied and disregarded by society. The role earned Phoenix an Academy Award for best actor in 2020.

Phoenix returns for the sequel, with Gaga joining as Harley Quinn.

“That was what really interested me in being a part of this one because I loved Arthur so much,” Gaga said. “Like, who would be the love in his life?”

While on the set of the film, which incorporates renditions of iconic songs, Phoenix said, “When we first started, I did not want anything to be spontaneous,” Phoenix said. “I wanted to sound as good as possible, and … Gaga said, ‘We should do them live.’”

“I was like, ‘Yeah, well, it’s easy for you to say, ’cause this is what you do,'” he said, adding that Gaga made him “feel comfortable” about singing.

Gaga called Phoenix’s natural voice “more compelling than any lip-synching would ever be.”

Joker: Folie à Deux arrives in theaters on Oct. 4.

Carol and Daryl’s ‘Walking Dead’ adventures to continue in Spain for ‘Daryl Dixon’ season 3

AMC/Jace Downs

One of the most beloved duos in pop culture, Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier, will apparently be busting heads in Spain as The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon‘s third season will take place in the European country.

Production is currently underway, with Eduardo Noriega, Óscar Jaenada, Alexandra Masangkay, Candela Saitta and Hugo Arbués joining the cast.

The second season of Norman Reedus‘ spin-off The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol debuts on Sept. 29 on AMC and AMC+. It centers on Carol’s journey from the States to France to find her zombie apocalypse battle buddy.

Once reunited, it seems they’ll be off to Spain.

AMC explains production of season 3 is based in Madrid with extensive location shooting planned in the Galicia, Aragón, Catalonia and Valencia regions, “each providing a new and unique backdrop for the post-apocalyptic world.”

The network teases, “Season three follows Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier as they continue their journey to somehow return home and to the ones they love. As they struggle to find their way back, the path takes them farther astray, leading them through distant lands with ever-changing and unfamiliar conditions as they witness the various effects of the walker apocalypse.”