What to Watch This Week: November 28 to December 3

From creepy, kooky families to festive romance, we round up our top 10 shows to watch this week

1. The Addams Family – Sunday, November 28, 3:55 p.m., Crave1

Charlize Theron and Oscar Isaac voice Morticia and Gomez in this animated reboot, as the charmingly creepy fam fends off a reality TV star (Allison Janney) who’s looking to evict these oddballs from her perfect little planned community.

2. Countdown to Christmas – Sunday, November 28, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m., W Network

It’s December, which means that Hallmark’s ever-expanding catalogue of yuletide romances has taken the schedule by snowstorm. (Of course, as usual, this particular storm has been raging since October, but now that we’re within a month of the big day, we’re a little less sheepish writing about it.) Amidst all those sappy yet irresistible love stories from years gone by, a couple all-new flicks arrive on W Network this Sunday.

First up is Christmas in Tahoe, starring Laura Osnes, Kyle Selig, Pat Monahan and standup comedy great George Lopez. It’s about a talent booker named Claire who lands herself in quite the Christmas predicament: she must find a way to salvage her family hotel’s big holiday show after events conspire in a most unmerry fashion. And so, reluctantly, she reaches out to her ex-boyfriend, Ryan, lead guitarist of a famous band. The problem? That same band fired Claire as their manager a few years back. (Somehow, we think these two crazy kids are going to work it out, professionally and romantically.)

Then, if your heart hasn’t been sufficiently warmed yet, we have The Christmas Contest, starring Full House‘s Candace Cameron Bure, alongside John Brotherton. As exes Lara and Ben battle it out in a Christmas competition for charity, an entire city watches—forced to decide, like the former couple themselves, which is more important: victory or love? If the premise sounds familiar, it’s because this one is based on Scarlet Wilson’s 2019 novel… or it could be because Hallmark has a pretty thin playbook, and every new movie kinda sounds like at least five others. (Not that we’re complaining!)

3. The Waltons’ Homecoming – Sunday, November 28, 8 p.m., The CW

Richard Thomas not only played eldest son John-Boy on The Waltons, he also wanted to do the show’s opening and closing narration. Now, a half-century later, he’s finally getting that chance.

The actor returns to the franchise that made him an Emmy winner, as The CW debuts its new Christmas movie The Waltons’ Homecoming this weekend. A remake of the TV movie that became the pilot for the beloved 1972-’81 series about a Depression-era mountain family, it lets Thomas reprise the part of John-Boy, but as the adult narrator… the spot initially filled by Waltons creator and executive producer Earl Hamner, Jr.

“When I first read the script,” the amiable Thomas recalls of the original production, “and there were these beautiful narrations at the beginning and the end, I was so excited. I thought, ‘I can’t wait to read these.’ And then I was told, ‘Actually, because he’s the older John-Boy, Earl Hamner is going to read those.’ But finally, it’s come full-circle, and I’m really happy to have been invited to the party.”

4. 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible – Monday, November 29, Netflix

This visually stunning new film explores Nepal’s deep connection to high-altitude mountaineering, as seen through the eyes of Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja, a fearless, fun-loving Nepali climber. Written, directed and produced by London-based filmmaker Torquil Jones (Bobby Ronson: More Than a Manager), 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible follows Purja as he embarks on a quest he dubs “Project Possible,” to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre mountains in just seven months, which would obliterate the previous record of seven years. Assisted by a team of skilled Sherpas, he traverses Mount Everest, K2 and other iconic peaks, enduring extreme weather, life-or-death decisions and the emotional weight of dealing with his mother’s illness back at home.

Beyond his unbelievably ambitious goal, Purja proves to be a fascinating and opinionated subject in his own right. “If this had been done by some Western climber, the news would be 10 times bigger than this,” he declares at one point, and he’s not wrong.

Ultimately, the documentary not only brings viewers to some of the most spectacular and rarely seen mountaintops in the world, 14 Peaks also delivers a thrilling and action-packed true story of courage, perseverance and pushing the limits of human endurance.

5. The Black Pack: We Three Kings – Monday, November 29, 8 p.m., The CW

Paying homage to Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, this new holiday-themed variety show unites Taye Diggs, Ne-Yo and Eric Bellinger for an hour of music, comedy, dance and assorted yuletide shenanigans. Joined by actress Bre-Z (All American) and singer-songwriters Tank, Sevyn Streeter and Jordin Sparks, the special celebrates excellence and camaraderie through a wide variety of musical performances and lighthearted repartee, transporting audiences right onto the stage where holiday music, both new and classic, is brought to life to create a fresh spin on an old-fashioned Christmas.

6. CMA Country Christmas – Monday, November 29, 8 p.m., ABC; 10:01 p.m., CTV

Jennifer Nettles is currently starring on Broadway in acclaimed musical Waitress, but she took some time off to fulfil her annual hosting duties on this country-music Christmas special, joined by guests including Kelly Clarkson, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisley, Trisha Yearwood, Rascal Flatts and Amy Grant, in addition to Idina Menzel, Sarah McLachlan and Andra Day.

7. That’s My Jam – Monday, November 29, 1001 p.m., NBC

If Ellen DeGeneres has been the reigning queen of daytime for the past decade or so, could we all agree that Jimmy Fallon has been the king of late night? OK, sure—he has the other Jimmy (Kimmel), not to mention Stephen Colbert and James Corden to contend with, and we all have our personal fave. But like Ellen, Fallon has shrewdly expanded his empire, taking the party games featured on The Tonight Show, and spinning them off into primetime.

This sneak-peek special offers us a glimpse of his latest, a show that’s inspired by several fan-favourite segments from Fallon’s after-hours hijinks. Expect a little bit of music, a little bit of dancing and a little bit of trivia, as celebrity teams of two compete for charity, going “head-to-head and mic-to-mic for five rounds of friendly competition, unforgettable moments and hilarious performances.”

Tonight, that includes newly announced Wicked (the movie) star Ariana Grande, who hits the stage alongside her fellow Voice coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. Following this preview, look for the show to premiere sometime in early 2022.

8. Ken Burns: Muhammad Ali – Tuesday, November 30, 7 p.m., KCTS

This documentary about a documentary follows acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns throughout the process of making his 2021 series Muhammad Ali, exploring his process in telling the story of one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures.

9. Kelly Clarkson Presents When Christmas Comes Around – Wednesday, December 1, 10 p.m., NBC

Kelly Clarkson celebrates the season in this all-new variety special with a holiday twist. She’s joined by an array of famous guests, including Jay Leno, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler, Brett Eldredge, Ariana Grande, Leslie Odom, Jr. and even Santa Claus himself, with Clarkson’s band Y’all providing the musical backdrop.

10. Single All the Way – Thursday, December 2, Netflix

To avoid being hounded by his family over his singleness, Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to pretend to be his boyfriend for the holidays. His plans go awry, however, when his mom (Kathy Najimy) sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer (Luke Macfarlane).