Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Friday, December 11th, 2020

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Friday, December 11th, 2020. I'm writing this from the Twin Cities suburbs, where AllYourScreens HQ is powered by the thought of an upcoming weekend...It's a short one today. It's been a long week.

DISNEY INVESTOR DAY 2020
You already know what was announced yesterday, so let me just pass along a few semi-unrelated thoughts, inspired by a number of hot takes I've read in recent hours.

* It's certainly an impressive lineup of titles. Yet I have to admit to feeling slightly underwhelmed. A number of analysts this morning were touting how close they were to predicting everything Disney announced. But to me, that is less about their predictive expertise and more about Disney's predictable slate of new programs.

* And "new programs" is a mushy term in this context. A lot of the stuff that was highlighted had been previously announced and some of the other projects are pushed out so far into the distance that there is a decent chance they won't actually go into production. Perhaps I'm cynical, but it's difficult for me to count on any live-action TV series going in front of a camera when it's being announced for a 2023 premiere date.

* I was somewhat surprised only one Disney film is headed for its extra-cost "premium" Disney+ tier. But to be honest, I'm not convinced there are enough people willing to pay $20 or $30 for a mid-level film to make it financially worthwhile.

* If movie theater chains should be mad at anyone, they should be mad at Disney. Disney has announced ten Star Wars projects and nine Marvel projects will premiere exclusively on Disney+ over the next four years. And some of those projects could have easily had a theatrical premiere.

* There was a lot announced yesterday. But nothing from 20th Century Studios, Fox Animation or Searchlight Pictures.

* One of the less well-known side stories from yesterday was that a number of established writers are unhappy with Disney's push to make directors the showrunners on many of the Marvel-produced TV shows. I'll have a longer piece about this next week, but I did post a fairly snarky piece this morning which lays out the general complaints.

WHAT'S ON TODAY:
Here is a rundown of the new television programs premiering today:

1) A Trash Truck Christmas (Netflix)
When Santa crash-lands in the junkyard on Christmas Eve, Hank, Trash Truck and their animal friends all have a hand in rescuing the holiday for everyone.

2) Canvas (Netflix)
A grieving grandfather struggling to reclaim his passion for painting after suffering a loss finds the inspiration to create again.

3) Clifford The Big Red Dog Season Premiere (Amazon)
Join Emily Elizabeth and her big red dog, Clifford, as they explore their island home and go on new adventures! With a fun and furry new cast of characters and brand-new songs, Clifford's world, and heart, just keep on growing!

4) Curious George Season Premiere (Peacock)
First introduced to the world of children’s literacy over 75 years ago, Curious George was created by Margret and H.A. Rey in 1941 and remains one of the most beloved children’s classics of all-time. The animated series targets preschool viewers and follows the adventures of everyone’s favorite monkey and his insatiable curiosity to bring delightful antics, gentle humor and heartfelt emotion to each fun-filled episode. With a focus on education, the Emmy award-winning program incorporates early concepts in math, science, technology and engineering and encourages children to use their imagination and expand their own investigations of the world.

5) Crafts In America Season Premiere (PBS)
For more than a decade, Craft in America has taken viewers on cultural journeys across this nation, honoring craft artists and documenting the dynamic evolution of contemporary craft. 

6) Disney Channel Holiday House Party (Disney)
Hosted by Miranda May (Bunk'd), the ensemble of comedic actors will deck the halls with a variety of wacky characters and hilarious sketches, including a Gen Z influencer take on a Charles Dickens classic, a Disney Wand ID fail and a “High School Musical” throwback. Starring are Raphael Alejandro, Suzi Barrett, Issac Ryan Brown, Kylie Cantrall, Scarlett Estevez, Kaylin Hayman, Ramon Reed, Trevor Tordjman, Ruby Rose Turner and Tobie Windham.

7) Giving Voice (Netflix)
Students from across the US audition for a spot in the August Wilson Monologue Competition, culminating in a riveting final round on a Broadway stage.

8) I'm Your Woman (Amazon)
In this 1970s set crime drama, a woman is forced to go on the run after her husband betrays his partners, sending her and her baby on a dangerous journey.

9) Inn Love By Christmas (Lifetime)
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.

10) Michael Kosta: Detroit. NY. LA (Comedy Central)
The special was filmed at The Gem Theatre in Detroit, New York Comedy Club in New York City, and The Improv in Los Angeles over three separate nights. This one-of-a-kind, three-city special, highlights the silly yet thought-provoking observations of a self-aware mid-westerner. The result is a nostalgic and hilarious reminder of what life was like pre-pandemic, when people could be in rooms together and laugh, carefree. Topics include: side boob, Leonardo DiCaprio, and even the 2nd Amendment.

11) My Lottery Dream Home: Holiday Extravaganza (HGTV)
David Bromstad will show fans how to deck the halls like a lottery winner—but on a realistic budget—in My Lottery Dream Home: Holiday Extravaganza. The popular HGTV designer will transform a living room into a lush Christmas tree forest, set a spectacular tablescape for a festive dinner party and adorn a home’s exterior with so much holiday razzle dazzle that the whole neighborhood will cheer.

12) Safety (Disney+)
Safety is a drama inspired by the empowering story of former Clemson University football safety Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves), a young man facing a series of challenging circumstances, whose dedication and persistence help him to triumph over repeated adversities. Aided by his teammates and the Clemson community, he succeeds on the field while simultaneously raising and caring for his 11-year-old brother Fahmarr (Thaddeus J. Mixson).

13) Small Axe: Alex Wheatle (Amazon)
This episode follows the true story of Alex Wheatle, award-winning writer for your people, and his own remarkable and often hilarious journey through the care system, and then to prison following the Brixton uprising of 1981.

14) The Mess You Leave Behind (Netfix)
A teacher starts her job at a high school but is haunted by a suspicious death that occurred there weeks before... and begins fearing for her own life.

15) The Prom (Netflix)
A group of down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up life in small-town Indiana as they rally behind a teen fighting to bring her girlfriend to prom.

16) The Wilds (Amazon)
A group of teen girls from different backgrounds 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.

17) Where's Waldo? Season Premiere (Peacock)
Twelve-year-old Waldo (Joshua Rush) and his best friend Wenda (Haley Tju) are members of the Worldwide Wanderer Society—the international order of curious travelers who circle the globe celebrating cultures and solving problems through observation. Their mentor—Wizard Whitebeard (Thomas Lennon), a seasoned wanderer—sends these inquisitive young adventurers on international travel missions so they can earn their stripes and someday become wizard-level wanderers too. But standing in Waldo and Wenda’s way is their rival Odlulu (Eva Carlton), who can’t help but cause trouble wherever she goes.

18) Wolfwalkers (Apple TV+)
In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the “Wolfwalkers” and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

This newsletter is called "Too Much TV" because....well, it's hard to keep track of all the new television premiering everyday. To help you prioritize your viewing, click here to see our list of more than 400 upcoming television premieres, movies and finales. You'll find listings from more than 70 networks, as well as streaming services and web shows.

I'll be back with another one tomorrow. If you have any feedback, send it along to Rick@AllYourScreens.com and follow me on Twitter @aysrick.