Thanksgiving is a time to be with family, be grateful and, best of all, revel in unadulterated indulgence. So while you’re gobbling down your third helping of mashed potatoes, why not binge on some trashy TV, too?
It’s a long weekend. Treat yo’self to these guilty pleasure picks:
Nickelodeon, the kids’ network that shaped Millennials, celebrates ’90s nostalgia with some fun specials this week. Host Marc Summers returns for Double Dare 30th Anniversary (9 p.m. Wednesday), a look back at the trivia game show that featured silly, slimy physical challenges. In another tribute to Nick’s game shows, a new live-action Legends of the Hidden Temple movie airs at 8 p.m. Saturday on the channel.
From Pit Boss to the Little Women franchise, “little people” shows are now a legitimate category of reality programming. Next up: Little Weddings (Series Premiere, 9 p.m. Wednesday, Lifetime). Need I say more?
The Hallmark Channel is known for its cheesy holiday fare, and what better example of a guilty pleasure than watching Christmas movies before Thanksgiving? Broadcasting Christmas (8 p.m. Wednesday), no doubt a harrowing look at the current state of contemporary journalism, stars Dean Cain, Melissa Joan Hart and Jackée Harry, in case you were in need of even more ’90s stars.
If the Real Housewives franchise is considered a guilty pleasure, a spinoff starring the servers and bartenders who work at a Housewife’s restaurant is downright shameful. But Vanderpump Rules (9 p.m. Mondays, Bravo) fans are in good company — even The New Yorker and Time have given the show some love! The give-no-Fs cast has defined a new era of reality stars who seemingly keep it real in an increasingly scripted world.
And finally, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (Series Premiere, 10 p.m. Tuesday, A&E) — because who doesn’t want to indulge in some behind-the-scenes secrets of Tom Cruise’s religion of choice?
Picks of the Week
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (8 p.m. Wednesday, ABC) – Gather ’round the ping-pong table with the Peanuts gang.
Saturday Night Live (9 p.m. Wednesday, NBC) – Airing neither on Saturday night nor live, this holiday special features favorite Thanksgiving-themed sketches from over the years.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (9 a.m. Thursday, NBC) – Balloons, floats and marching bands abound in this 90th-annual event.
Anne of Green Gables (8 p.m. Thursday, PBS) – The iconic Canadian novel-turned-film about an orphan girl who gets adopted by siblings garners another TV-movie remake, this time starring Martin Sheen and Ella Ballentine.
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (Premiere, Friday, Netflix) – Lorelai and Rory return to Stars Hollow for this four-part special with returning stars, plenty of coffee and quippy banter to boot.
3% (Series Premiere, Friday, Netflix) – The platform’s first Brazilian original series is a sci-fi thriller set in a future where folks living on a devastated Inland have the opportunity to go through “The Process” and relocate to the prosperous Offshore — but only three percent make it through.
Westworld (9 p.m. Sunday, HBO) – Bernard and Dolores reconnect with their pasts; Maeve schemes with Hector; Teddy experiences enlightenment.
Insecure (Season Finale, 10:30 p.m. Sunday, HBO) – Tension between Issa and Molly comes to a head during a girls’ trip to Malibu; Lawrence reconnects with his friends. HBO picked up a second season of this promising new comedy for 2017.
This Is Us (9 p.m. Tuesday, NBC) – After a crazy Thanksgiving, Kate, Kevin and Randall travel to their family’s cabin; Randall turns to Jack for answers; Olivia causes a rift between Kate and Kevin.
CONTACT JAC KERN: @jackern
This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2016.