38 Christmas movies and specials to watch on TV this week [Los Angeles Times]
Because you’re a socially responsible person, you’re not going anywhere this Christmas, and you’re not seeing anyone other than the people you saw yesterday and the day before that, so you’re probably going to be watching even more television this holiday week than in years past. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get to it.
It seems only right to begin with Dolly Parton, who donated $1 million to vaccine research, has gifted more than 150 million book to children and with similar if marginally less significant largess brings the world a double dose of cheer this year. “A Holly Dolly Christmas” (CBS All Access), which is also a big, long ad for her new album of the same name, is mostly just Parton sitting on a pew in a church-themed set, talking and singing and being her awesome casual self. “It’s not a big Hollywood production show, as I’m sure you noticed,” says the singer, adding, “Of course, we were smart about testing, wearing masks and social distancing.” (Fellow country pop star Carrie Underwood has a somewhat grander album-based special, “My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood,” streaming on HBO Max; like Parton’s, it emphasizes the spiritual over the secular.)