New Shows & Movies: What to Watch This Week

Diverse Streaming Lineup Offers Holiday Respite: From boxing to ‘Emily in Paris’

A wave of new television and movie releases this week provides a welcome distraction from the pressures of the holiday season, offering something for every taste – from heartwarming christmas films to high-stakes sporting events. Despite a winding down of the initial Christmas movie surge from networks like Hallmark and Netflix, several premieres are still scheduled before Christmas Day, and the broader entertainment landscape is remarkably varied.

A Week of Premieres: December 7 – 13

The week of December 7th to December 13th is packed with new content across multiple platforms. As one source noted, the offerings are “couldn’t be more varied,” ranging from familiar favorites to unexpected new arrivals.

Sunday, December 14: Holiday Cheer and Interfaith harmony

HGTV kicks off the week with “White House Christmas,” bringing back its annual 72-hour decorating competition. hundreds of volunteers will transform the White House, bringing the First Lady’s theme, “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” to life, and the event will air on HGTV at 7pm EST. For those seeking a heartwarming holiday story,Hallmark presents “oy to the World!” starring brooke D’Orsay and jake Epstein. The film centers on rival youth choir directors from a church and synagogue who must collaborate when a plumbing issue forces them to share space during Christmas Eve and the final night of Hanukkah. It will premiere on hallmark at 8pm EST.

Tuesday, December 16: Letterman Returns with High-Profile Guests

David Letterman’s acclaimed Netflix special, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” returns for its sixth season. This season features interviews with a diverse group of individuals, including actor Michael B. Jordan, content creator MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), and actor Jason Bateman.

Wednesday, December 18: Post-Apocalyptic Drama and Mystery Prizes

Prime Video will release the second season of “Fallout,” the post-apocalyptic drama starring Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, and Kyle MacLachlan. Concurrently,Netflix introduces “What’s in the Box,” a new game show hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. Contestants will answer trivia questions for a chance to win mystery prizes hidden within giant, sealed boxes, navigating twists and alliances for a grand prize “Super Box.”

Thursday, December 18: Parisian adventures and Rock ‘n’ Roll Revelations

Fans of “Emily in Paris” will be pleased to learn that the fifth season of the beloved show will debut on Netflix. This season marks a change of scenery for Emily,as she opens a new marketing agency in Rome.HBO Max will also release “Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me lately,” a documentary directed by Amy Scott that explores the band’s early days, rise to fame, and frontman Adam Duritz’s struggles with anxiety.

friday, December 19: stand-Up, Wildlife, and Boxing

hulu will premiere “Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts,” a stand-up special marking the comedian’s return to the stage after nearly a decade. The special reportedly tackles themes of anxiety, drug use, and, surprisingly, cat medication. AppleTV+ will release “Born to be Wild,” a six-part documentary narrated by Hugh Bonneville, following six endangered young animals across three continents. Netflix will host a high-profile boxing match between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, streaming live from Miami’s Kaseya Center at 8pm EST.

This diverse lineup ensures that viewers have ample options for entertainment as the holiday season progresses, offering a break from shopping and family gatherings with something to suit every preference.

Did you know?– “Emily in Paris” Season 5 moves the action to rome, as Emily launches a new marketing firm.

Pro tip:– David Letterman’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” features interviews with Michael B. Jordan and mrbeast.

Reader question:– Jake Paul will box Anthony Joshua on Netflix, streaming live from Miami at 8pm EST on Dec. 19.