This week’s new entertainment releases include the CW’s “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2020,” a 90-minute special based on the annual concert
By The Associated Press
December 7, 2020, 10:36 PM
• 5 min read
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.
MOVIES
— Travel may seem closed off right now but how about a cruise with Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest and Candice Bergan? “Let Them All Talk,” which debuts Friday on HBO Max, was filmed on an Atlantic crossing of the Queen Mary 2, the British ocean liner. Directed in a two-week dash by Steven Soderbergh and scripted by the short-story writer Deborah Eisenberg, the film — delightful and light despite its lumbering setting — is about an American novelist (Streep) given a prize in England, who, refusing to fly, takes the boat instead and brings along several old friends (Wiest, Bergan) and her nephew (Lucas Hedges).
— If one Streep film wasn’t enough for you, she’s again in typically fine form in “The Prom,” parodying a diva actor in Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical. In the Netflix film, streaming Friday, Streep and James Corden play a pair of comically self-centered, awards-obsessed theater stars. When their show flops and their careers are teetering, they try to win back public favor by traveling (with Nicole Kidman and Andrew Rannells in tow) to small-town Indiana to defend a high-schooler (Jo Ellen Pellman) barred from attending prom with her girlfriend (Ariana DeBose).
— From the Irish animator Tomm Moore (“The Secret of Kells,” “Song of the Sea,” both Oscar nominated) comes his latest lyrical, earthy beauty. “Wolfwalkers,” which Moore co-directed with Ross Stewart for the Kilkenny-based studio Cartoon Saloon, is a hand-drawn folk tale set in a medieval village suffering wolf attacks. When the daughter (Honor Kneafsey) of a hunter (Sean Bean) befriends a mythical tribe who walk as wolves by night, a once-unthinkable peace becomes possible. It streams on Apple TV+ Friday.
— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle
MUSIC
— Jon Bon Jovi has already produced an album this year with “2020” and the concert film "On a Night Like This — Bon Jovi 2020." But he's not done: The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer on Monday released three holiday cover songs: “Christmas All Over Again,” “Fairytale of New York” and “If I Get Home on Christmas Day,” made famous by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Pogues and Elvis Presley, respectively.
— If you're missing Broadway, the composing team behind the Tony Award-winning musical “Ragtime” have something for you. A collection of two previously unheard song cycles by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty is coming out Friday, featuring performances by Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Sarah Uriarte Berry and Steven Pasquale. The demos, recorded 16 years ago, will be available Friday on CD from BroadwayRecords.com and digitally from all major digital retailers.
— The Kills are opening up their killer archives. The English-American rock duo formed by singer Alison Mosshart and guitarist Jamie Hince will release “Little Bastards” on Friday, a B-sides and rarities album. The tracks date back from the band’s first 7-inch singles in 2002 through to 2009 and includes the previously unreleased demo “Raise Me.” “Little Bastard” was the affectionate nickname that the pair gave to the drum machine used in the early part of their career.
— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy
TELEVISION
— This season’s winner for lengthy title: “High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special,” debuting Friday on Disney +. Cast members including Olivia Rodrigo, Matt Cornett and Sofia Wylie will share holiday memories and perform songs including “Last Christmas,” “Feliz Navidad” and “The Hanukkah Medley.” Joshua Bassett will sing “The Perfect Gift,” which he wrote for the upcoming season, and a sneak peek is promised at a season-two musical number, “Something in the Air.”
— Timothée Chalamet will make his debut as host of “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, the second-to-last episode of the year. The in-demand actor, an Oscar nominee in 2018 for “Call Me by Your Name,” gets the honor of introducing Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as they tally their third appearance as “SNL” musical guests. Wonder who’s on duty for the final 2020 show, airing Dec. 19? Former cast member Kristen Wiig as host, with Dua Lipa performing.
— The CW’s “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2020,” a 90-minute special based on the annual concert, will air at 8 p.m. EST Monday, Dec. 14. In light of pandemic restrictions, the virtual event will feature artists at home performing their hits along with new cover versions of familiar holiday tunes. Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles and Shawn Mendes are among those slated for the event, which begins 9 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 10, on iHeartMedia radio stations, iHeart and The CW apps and CWTV.com.
— AP Television Writer Lynn Elber
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