Rueben's Ramblings

Here is the long list of the programming options to expect on TV this coming week:

On December 7, the 6-part drama A Suitable Boy will debut on Acorn TV. The series, set in post-Partition North India in 1951, tells the story of spirited 19-year-old university student Lata Mehra (newcomer Tanya Maniktala) as she comes of age at the same time as the country is carving out its identity as an independent nation and preparing to go to the polls for its first democratic general election. Caught between old traditions and new ideas, Lata must deal with her overbearing mother (Mahira Kakkar) who is hell-bent on finding her a suitable husband. Meanwhile, connected to Lata through their siblings’ marriage, wayward Maan (Ishaan Khatter) falls head over heels for courtesan singer Saeeda Bai, played by Indian screen icon Tabu, and the results are catastrophic for an entire community.

The Lifetime holiday movie The Santa Squad will debut on December 7 at 8 PM. Allie (Rebecca Dalton), an out of work art teacher, has to accept a job with the Santa Squad to help wealthy widower Gordon (Aaron Ashmore) and his two precious daughters rediscover the magic of Christmas. As Allie is lifting the holiday spirits of the family with Christmas decorations, cookies and shopping, her kindness is rewarded with the most unexpected of gifts: love.

Also on December 7, the 10-episode Canadian drama Nurses will debut on NBC at 10:01 PM. The series follows five young nurses working on the frontlines of a busy downtown hospital, dedicating their lives to helping others while struggling to help themselves. The series stars Tiera Skovbye, Natasha Calis, Jordan Johnson-Hinds, Sandy Sidhu and Donald MacLean Jr. The show will air for two Mondays, December 7 and December 14 before moving to its regular time slot on January 5 at 10 PM.

The holiday movie A Christmas For Mary will debut on OWN on December 8 at 9 PM. The movie focuses on up-and-coming journalist Lena Jones (Morgan Dixon) who is tasked with delivering a story by Christmas that will wow her boss, magazine editor Vivian Vaye (VIvica A. Fox), who is dangling a promotion to head writer over Lena’s head. Intrigued by a portrait of a mysterious woman painted by her late grandfather, Lena journeys to the small town of Pineville. With her mother, Deborah’s (Jackee Harry) blessing and support, Lena uncovers a long-ago forgotten tale of young love that not only uncovers cherished memories of the past, but also inspires Lena to follow her heart and find her own true love and her perfect Christmas story.

On December 10, the season finale of The A Word will air on Sundance at 12 Midnight.

The HBO Max movie Let Them All Talk will debut online on December 10. The movie tells the story of a celebrated author (Meryl Streep) who takes a journey with some old friends (Candice Bergen and Dianne Wiest) to have some fun and heal old wounds. Her nephew (Lucas Hedges) comes along to wrangle the ladies as well as her new literary agent (Gemma Chan) who is desperate to find out about her next book.

On December 11, the following movies will air:

I’m Your Woman on Amazon. Jean (a nearly unrecognizable Rachel Brosnahan) is forced to go on the run after her husband betrays his business partner. The cast includes Arinze Kene, Marsha Stephanie Blake and Frankie Faison.

The Prom will on Netflix.  Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (James Corden) are New York City stage stars with a crisis on their hands: their expensive new Broadway show is a major flop that has suddenly flatlined their careers. Meanwhile, in small-town Indiana, high school student Emma Nolan (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman) is experiencing a very different kind of heartbreak: despite the support of the high school principal (Keegan-Michael Key), Mrs. Greene (Kerry Washington), the head of the PTA, has banned her from attending the prom with her girlfriend, Alyssa (Ariana DeBose). When Dee Dee and Barry decide that Emma’s predicament is the perfect cause to help resurrect their public images, they hit the road with Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman) and Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells), another pair of cynical actors looking for a professional lift. But when their self-absorbed celebrity activism unexpectedly backfires, the foursome find their own lives upended as they rally to give Emma a night where she can truly celebrate who she is. Tracey Ullman also stars.

Inn Love By Christmas on Lifetime at 8 PM. Mandy Leeds (Jonna Walsh), a successful young woman living in Miami, is climbing her way up the corporate ladder in the hotel industry. Though she doesn’t get back to her small northern hometown much, this year her Gram (Jayne Eastwood) is able to finally convince her to come home for Christmas. Mandy has another reason too – the quaint local inn is for sale, and she wants to acquire it for her company. With her eyes on the prize, Mandy travels back home but on her way there, she runs into Lucas Menzino (Jesse Hutch) – her high school rival – who also has his eye on the inn as well.

A Holiday Lift, based on the story by Corinne Michaels, on Passionflix. This holiday quickie stars Karla Mosley (The Bold and Beautiful) stars as Holly, who would like to pretend the holidays don’t exist because it’s another year with no one to kiss under the mistletoe. It doesn’t help that after her last epic break up, she went to bed with the one man she shouldn’t have: her arch-rival Dean (Blake Cooper Griffin who has appeared in episodes of Animal Kingdom, Cloak & Dagger and Major Crimes), who, of course, didn’t bother calling her after their night together, and, what’s worse, she get him out of her head. But when a snowstorm traps them in an elevator, she can’t avoid her work crush any longer.

The new Amazon drama The Wilds will debut online on December 11. The series is part survival drama and part dystopic slumber party that follows a group of teen girls from different backgrounds who must fight for survival after a plane crash strands them on a deserted island. The castaways both clash and bond as they learn more about each other, the secrets they keep, and the traumas they’ve all endured. There’s just one twist to this thrilling drama: these girls did not end up on this island by accident. The series stars Rachel Griffiths, Sophia Ali, David Sullivan and Troy Winbush as well as newcomers Shannon Berry, Jenna Clause, Reign Edwards, Mia Healey, Helena Howard, Erana James and Sarah Pidgeon.

Also on December 11, the 45-minute holiday special High School Musical: The Musical: The Series will air on Disney+ online. Series regulars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini, Mark St. Cyr and Kate Reinders will sing holiday staples and share their own family memories of the season, as well as offer up New Year’s resolutions. There will also be a sneak peek performance from the upcoming Season 2.

The following movies will debut on December 12:

The Christmas Set Up on Lifetime at 8 PM. The movie follows the story of New York lawyer Hugo (Ben Lewis) who heads to Milwaukee with his best friend Madelyn (Ellen Wong) to spend the holidays with his brother Aiden (Chad Connell) and his mom Kate (Fran Drescher), who is also in charge of the local Christmas celebrations. Ever the matchmaker, Kate arranges for Hugo to run into Patrick (Blake Lee), Hugo’s high school friend and secret crush, who has recently returned after a successful stint in Silicon Valley. As they enjoy the local holiday festivities together, Hugo and Patrick’s attraction to each other is undeniable and it looks as though Kate’s Santa-style matchmaking is a success. But as Hugo receives word of a big promotion requiring a move to London, he must decide what is most important to him.

A Glenbrooke Christmas on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries at 10 PM. As Christmas nears, heiress Jessica Morgan (Autumn Reeser) seizes what seems like her last chance to experience a relaxed Christmas and heads off to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she meets a handsome fireman (Antonio Cupo).

Beaus of Holly on ION at 7 PM. When Holly boldly proposes to Phil, he confesses he needs to first work things out with a long-ago ex. Having booked a romantic holiday sleigh ride, despondent Holly pours her heart out to sleigh driver, Jake, who takes a refreshing interest in her, until Phil returns. The cast includes Jennifer Freeman, Johnny Pacar, Nikki Leigh, Michael Copon.

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! on Hallmark Channel at 8 PM. As Christina (Mia Kirshner) prepares her restaurant for its busiest time of year, she gets back a DNA test revealing that she’s Jewish. The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights. The cast includes Ben Savage and Marilu Henner.

The following movies will debut on December 13:

Christmas Comes Twice on the Hallmark Channel at 8 PM. Emily (Tamera Mowry-Housley) is a top newscaster who has achieved her career dreams but still has regrets about the guy (Michael Xavier) who got away five years earlier. When the Christmas carnival comes to town, a ride around the carousel takes her magically back in time to the carnival five years before giving her a second chance at love before she must return to Christmas present.

A Sugar & Spice Holiday on Lifetime at 8 PM. The movie follows Suzie (Jacky Lai), a rising young architect, who returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas where her Chinese-American parents, Pete (Tzi Ma) and Mimi (Lillian Lim), run the local Lobster Bar. Following the loss of her beloved grandmother who was a legendary baker in their community, Suzie is guilted into following in her grandmother’s footsteps by entering the local gingerbread house competition. Teaming up with an old high school friend Billy (Tony Giroux), who grew up to be a catch, Suzie must find the right recipes and mix of sugar and spice infused with her cultural traditions to win the competition and perhaps find some love in the process.

Unlocking Christmas on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries holiday at 10 PM. When a mysterious key and a holiday riddle arrive on their doorsteps, Kate (Taylor Cole) and Kevin (Steve Lund) embark on a Christmas romance adventure they’ll never forget. Based on the book by NY Times bestselling author, Fern Michaels.

The Christmas Sitters on ION at 7 PM. Facing holiday flight delays on a return trip from Europe, two parents double-book incompatible babysitters: the mother’s BFF lawyer friend, Nora (Tristin Mays), and the dad’s guitarist half-brother, Max (Nathan Owens), to look after their two kids and dog. After a rather stormy start, an attraction grows.

Dashing in December on Paramount Network at 7 PM. Wyatt (Peter Porte), a sophisticated New York businessman, returns home to convince his mother Deb (MacDowell) to sell the family’s struggling ranch in Colorado. He unexpectedly meets Heath [the ranch hand] (Juan Pablo Di Pace), who, much to Wyatt’s disbelief, is content with his rural lifestyle; and rekindles Wyatt’s appreciation for nature, horses and Christmas. Andie MacDowell co-stars. The movie will simulcast on Logo, Pop and TV Land.

Lastly, also on December 13, the second season premiere of Pennyworth will air on EPIX at 9 PM; meanwhile, that same night, the season finale of Pandora will air on The CW at 8 PM.

Mark your calendars!