#midwife lacey

[the-ex-masterminds]

Ashlin led Lacey and the children through the chaos, fending off anyone who came too close. Lacey smiled and nodded at her before hastily ushering the children into the woods and hopefully towards their house.

Ashlin quickly returned to the fray as the battle began to wind down and the medical station was set up. The battle lasted another hour before all enemies had fallen. Jay and Ashlin retreated to their rooms to tend to their wounds.

Ashlin was sitting on her bed, she had just pushed the button on her neck and could feel her body realign bones and stitch deep wounds back together, leaving only the smaller ones. The process was mostly painless. She stood on unsteady legs and drew herself a bath once it was over.

Jay pushed her own button and waited in grim silence for her body to fix itself. It was a lot more painful than Ashlin's and she felt her body start to shake from the pain. Eventually, after a gruelling ten minutes, she was able to move shaky legs and sat on a chair close by. As she examined her body, she couldn't help but smile as she realized there were no significant changes.

[blissxcavendar]

Diversity win! This nun is autistic!

[sjsmith56]

Just a Dad, Chapter 28 - Eyes of the Father

Summary: Bucky, Lacey, and Tommy settle in to the new home. Preparing for the baby leads to some memorable moments.

Length: 4.6 K

Characters: Bucky, Lacey, Tommy, Sam, Maria, Fury, and more.

Warnings: Pregnancy and labour description.

Author notes: Soft, mushy Bucky is very much in play in this chapter.

<<Chapter 27

🤰 👩‍🍼

When Bucky was made training officer the training facility had just opened, built to his recommendations.  It was everything he asked for to help the Avengers bring their skills up to a higher level.  Now, barely a month after the wedding Fury called him into this meeting, and the pessimist in him was sure they were going to tell him that he wasn't doing a good job, that he had squandered the investment they made in him and the facility.  Instead, he found Bruce Banner there, along with a midwife and a nurse.  The biggest surprise was seeing Lacey sitting with them.

"Sit down, Barnes," said Fury.  "It's all good.  Since we weren't able to help with the birth of young Tom and be there to monitor the pregnancy of a natural born super soldier it was suggested that we set up a birth centre for your next child.  Considering that we would want to keep access to the baby as secure as possible we felt it prudent to keep it in house.  Here is the team; Bruce, you know already.  We have contracted with a local nurse midwife, Tara Lang, and a nurse who will assist with other health issues on the compound as well as the birth, Irene Santana."

"You did this for me, for us?" asked Bucky, still not quite used to having services such as this available to him.  "Bruce, have you ever delivered a baby before?"

The green skinned man chuckled.  "I wasn't always stuck being just the Hulk.  When I was on the run I offered my medical services in some of the poorest areas of the planet.  I've delivered dozens of babies in the harshest of conditions.  Didn't lose a single one.  We're going to get an ultrasound room set up, not just for you, but for the whole team, and we're interviewing technicians as we speak.  Everyone that works here has to pass a security check and any blood we take from you and the baby will be processed on site then destroyed so no one else has access to it.  At the same time, we want you to have as normal a birth experience as possible."

Bucky's mouth opened again but nothing came out for a moment and he grasped Lacey's hand.  "I don't know what to say, except thank you," he finally replied.  "I was worried how we were going to do this."

He coughed and took a couple of shaky breaths before Fury dismissed them.  They all walked over to the health centre where Lacey was weighed, her abdomen measured, and her blood pressure taken.  As Bruce and Irene watched, Tara asked Lacey to lay down on the examination bed and pull her leggings down to expose her abdomen.  Putting some ultrasound gel on the exposed abdomen she pulled out a portable ultrasound unit.

"This is just for the heartbeat," she said.  "At five months we'll do a proper ultrasound, and determine the sex of the baby."

Gently she pressed the wand onto the skin and moved it around before finding the heartbeat.  Bucky's face lit up as he heard the sound of his child's beating heart.  It was fast, strong, and it brought the super soldier to tears.  Bruce grabbed a couple of tissues for the man and handed them to him.

"It sounds good, Buck," he said.  "We'll check the heartbeat every time."  He looked at Lacey.  "Fury accessed your prenatal records with Tom.  He was actually born post-term, you know that right?"

"He was a week early," she said.  "Are you saying he was late?  Is that a problem?"

"Not a problem but I think he developed faster than a normal child.  His Apgar score was excellent, and he had the weight and length for a child about a month old.  Considering what you told me about how soon he walked and talked after I'm guessing a super soldier baby just develops faster.  We'll keep an eye on how big this one gets plus do some extra monitoring of your birth hormones.  Tom being late didn't seem to cause any issues for him but it does affect the umbilical cord if we let it go on too long.  Just something to keep in mind."

Over the next few months everything seemed to go on as usual.  Bucky excelled in his training officer position, receiving compliments from many who took the firearms course from him on his thoroughness and professionalism.  Those who took the fitness courses complained at first about what a taskmaster he was but they couldn't argue with the results as many of the staff, both enlisted and Avenger, noticed their fitness levels soared.  Fury brought in more healthy food options although the burgers and fries were still the most preferred of the cafeteria's most popular dishes.  The dedication that Bucky gave into designing tactical exercises for the Avengers was valuable as he tapped everyone's knowledge for ways to improve team mobility and communication.  Most missions went off like clockwork and even the ones that didn't always offered something to improve on and learn from.  The plan to use Bucky's knowledge of languages had to be modified as he was being spread too thin so other alternatives were used, including online language instruction, weekend retreats conducted entirely in a foreign language and visiting instructors.  More than once it helped them to successfully infiltrate secret bases in other countries.

Lacey was well into researching her non-fiction book on trafficking, using her own experience and interviewing other survivors, who she sought out to bolster her contention that the world wasn't doing enough to stop the whole sale trafficking of people as a commodity.  She even took a few trips to other countries who had established anti-trafficking units, including Wakanda, to learn what horrors they had uncovered.  It was an eye-opening experience to know that what happened to her could so easily happen anywhere in the world.

Tommy bloomed in public school, becoming active in sports, although he had to dial his efforts back in order to keep his abilities secret.  He developed some good friendships and often brought his friends to the farm where they built a tree fort in the woodlands, and went fishing in the pond, after Bucky made sure to stock it with lake trout.  Then there was that glorious day when Tommy, completely geared up, was finally permitted to ride his motorbike without supervision over the property.  Lacey was still concerned about his safety but Bucky assured her that if he broke anything it would heal within days.

At five months into Lacey's pregnancy the ultrasound unit at the compound was in place, a technician was on duty as they had already provided service for some of the staff.  This would be the first pregnancy scan and Bucky waited nervously in the waiting room with Lacey, holding her hand tightly enough that she had to whisper that he was hurting her. 

"Sorry," he grinned.  "I'm just nervous.  There wasn't anything like this when I was young.  When Ma got pregnant with Rebecca I thought she was just getting fat.  Then one day she wasn't there and Dad said I had a baby sister.  I wasn't thrilled about being a brother at 13 but it wasn't like I had a choice.  The crying and the diapers weren't easy to get used to."  He looked at Lacey's bemused expression.  "Sorry, I'm saying too much, aren't I?"

"No, I like hearing this," she said.  "You haven't said much about your childhood.  So that was what, 1930 when she was born?  That was during the Depression."

He nodded.  "Not the best time to bring a baby into the world but we managed," he said.  "I did odd jobs for extra money.  Dad did overtime at the ship yard whenever it was offered.  Then one day, Rebecca laughed at me.  It was the best sound in the world.  She must have been two or three months old and I made a funny face.  She giggled so I did it again and she laughed."  He stopped and swallowed, becoming emotional.  "That's when I knew that I wanted to be a dad some day.  Didn't know then how long it would take me to be one."

He put his arm around Lacey and squeezed her shoulder, kissing the side of her head to keep from crying.  Just then the technician came out and beckoned them in.  She gave them a minute alone for Lacey to prepare then placed a paper cloth over her legs and hips, tucking it into her panties.  Bruce came in and greeted them.

"Tara is home sick today so I'll be doing this visit," he said.  "Let's see what we have."

As he and the technician did all the preliminary scans, checking the size of the skull and making sure everything else was as it should be they finally got a good full body scan and the technician froze the image, turning the screen towards them.

"There's your daughter," she said, pressing a button to print it out.

"A girl?" said Bucky.  "A baby girl?  Wow, you can tell that?"

"Well, a boy has something obvious between the legs and all the views we've seen this morning don't have that, so yeah, it's a girl," she replied, smiling up at Bruce.

He pulled the picture off of the printer and handed it to Bucky.  "You're going to be a girl dad," he announced.  "Congratulations."

As much as he tried not to cry before there was no stopping the tears this time and Bucky began to weep as he looked at the picture.  He just shook his head and kept looking at the picture, then touching Lacey.  She smiled indulgently at him, taken by this look at her husband's softer side.  Both the technician and Bruce left, leaving them to cleaned up and get through the emotional process.  Ten minutes later in his office Bruce counselled Lacey to keep eating well, get regular exercise, to continue having sex for as long as it felt good, then he could give them some resources about alternate positions, etc. and to enjoy the whole pregnancy experience.  On their way out to the car Bucky looked at Lacey.

"We can still have sex?" he asked.  "Won't that hurt the baby?"

Touching his face she kissed him.  "It won't hurt the baby.  Once I get bigger we can't do it missionary style but there's other ways and we can try every single one of them."

"I never knew," said Bucky, then he put his arms around her.  "I've noticed your breasts are changing.  It's quite nice.  Not that I don't like them already."

Lacey patted him on the chest.  "I know what you mean," she said.  "They'll get bigger, trust me."  She stopped beside the car.  "I love you, Bucky.  I'll see you at the normal time for supper?"

He nodded.  "I love you, Lacey Barnes."

They kissed for some time, drawing a whistle from a passing Torres.  Pulling away, Bucky caught up with the younger man while Lacey got into the vehicle, started it up and headed home.

At the six months mark they went out shopping for baby furniture, picking up a crib, bassinet, change table, and dresser.  Bucky painted one of the bedrooms a soft cream and rose colour, finding inspiration on Pinterest for a girl's bedroom.  After he and Tom assembled the furniture together and arranged it he realized they needed a rocking chair, crib mobile, baby monitor and other assorted accessories that he looked up on an expectant parent's website.  He was all ready to jump in the car to pick them up until Lacey told him about baby showers. 

"Sam, how do I set up a baby shower for Lacey and the baby?" he texted to his best friend, not quite believing his wife that such things existed.

"You don't, but I know who can," replied his friend.

Two weeks later, Bucky received another text while he and Sam were in New York City for a publicity appearance on TV that there was a problem at the compound.  Getting in the car they drove straight there where an MP directed them to park away from the main building "just in case."  Outside the building they saw Fury, standing next to another MP, both of them listening in on a headset, from what looked like a command post.  Bucky could hear the words "captive" and "ransom."

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Not sure," replied Fury.  "There's some kind of occupation going on in the cafeteria.  They just began showing up a couple of hours ago, bearing packages.  Said that if we did as we were told no one would get hurt.  They have Lacey."

Bucky looked alarmed.  "Is she okay?  They haven't hurt her have they? How did they get past security?"

Fury shook his head.  "I've tried talking to them but they want you.  No weapons, no sudden moves, no tricks.  They have someone on the inside.  Sorry, Buck, but as the only super soldier you're the only one I can count on to get in there and turn this around.  Good luck."

If Bucky had taken a moment to think about it he would have realized he was being set up but he was so concerned about Lacey being held hostage that he just went along with it, opening the door and stepping into the eerily quiet building.  Keeping his senses alert he slowly approached the opened doorway of the darkened cafeteria. 

"It's about time you got here Barnes," said an ominous female voice. 

He knew he had heard that voice before but he couldn't quite place it.  Then he heard a giggle from within the space and for the first time realized that the situation wasn't exactly what it appeared to be.  He stood in the doorway for some time considering the situation then finally someone turned on the lights and a large crowd of people, both male and female, yelled "Surprise!"

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Sam with a shit-eating grin on his face.  "Now this is a baby shower," he announced. 

Lacey came forward with a big smile and hugged him, then pulled him over to a raised area where two armchairs were set up.  He tried to pull away but she persisted.

"We're both the guests of honour," she declared.  "If I have to sit up here so do you.  Come on, Dad.  Your fans await."

Reluctantly, he sat in one of the armchairs and looked out over the faces.  Then he saw one of them and realized who the voice from the darkness was.  Pepper Stark smiled at him and he stepped down to offer his hand.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here," he said, then he was at a loss for words.

"It's my pleasure," she replied.  "I couldn't make it to the wedding but I didn't want to miss this.  You're going to be a girl dad and Tony loved every moment of it.  I'm sure you will, too."

Affectionately she hugged him then pushed him gently back towards his seat.  Sam and Maria got up to the podium, smiling at each other.  He stepped back to give Maria the first words as she looked out at everyone then at Lacey.

"In the fall of 2014, Lacey Williams showed up at the Avengers Tower," began Maria.  "Escorted by an FBI agent she told Steve Rogers and Tony Stark an incredible story of helping one James Bucky Barnes out of a tough spot.  Then she broke the news that she was expecting his baby.  We were all ready to keep her in the Tower, look after her and make sure that neither the CIA or HYDRA got anywhere near her.  But we're talking about the Avengers here and things got in the way.  After an encounter with Ultron, Lacey decided she was safer going into hiding.  She had her baby, Tom, who's now almost ten years old.  It's 2024, she's pregnant with Bucky's baby again, not accidentally, and we finally got around to having that baby shower for her.  This time, the CIA are not looking for her, HYDRA is so far underground that I don't think we'll ever see them resurface but never say never, and the Power Broker is still the First Lady of The Raft.  So Lacey and Bucky, here's a party for you and your baby girl.  Sam, why don't you introduce our first contestants, ahem, gift givers."

"Well, you know him as Hawkeye, her as the patient and understanding Laura Barton," he said.  "But to Lacey, they'll always be the people who were there the most for her when she needed to hide, giving her sanctuary on their farm, hosting their wedding, and becoming surrogate parents for the pair of them.  Clint and Laura, come on up!"

A large gift that was placed right beside the stage was uncovered by the couple, revealing a rocking chair.  After hugs and kisses they sat down and a steady stream of people were introduced with their gifts, which would end up filling a truck with baby wear and accessories, including a jogging stroller, car seat, crib mobile and everything on that expectant parent website that Bucky had contemplated buying.  Sam and Maria had a funny or touching story to tell about everyone there.  After a couple of hours the shower wound down and an army truck was brought to the front to transport everything over to the house.  Everyone helped to put everything in the truck and several Avengers went with Bucky to unload it at home while Lacey drove the car.  Tom, who was home from school by then took great pleasure in checking everything to see what his baby sister was getting.

"Did you get the same stuff when I was a baby?" he asked.

"No, mostly hand me downs from Clint and Laura," she said, "although Steve Rogers brought things every time he visited.  Shuri sent things as well on behalf of your dad.  Tony Stark gave you the climbing gym, understanding that you needed something to satisfy your need to climb and jump.  He even came out when you were little and climbed all over it with you."

"Ironman?  For real?"

"For real," she said.  "He cared about you, about us."

"He gave you that after Steve and I fought him," added Bucky.  "I know he tried to understand what was done to me to turn me into the Winter Soldier.  Pepper said he forgave me for the death of his parents, accepting that I had no choice."  He noticed a look on Tom's face.  "No one will ever control you, Tom.  I would search to the ends of the Earth for you if anyone took you again.  Even though the Winter Soldier did terrible things my own personality always broke through, trying to stop them from using me.  You are a good person inside and that will never change."

Bending his head down to Tom's Bucky pulled his son in close and kissed his head.  The couple hugged him, reiterating their belief in him, with unconditional love.  He saw that love in them on a daily basis, how Bucky would massage Lacey's shoulders when she was tense, rub her feet and ankles when they swelled from the pregnancy, and when his dad would drive out during the night to find food to satisfy his mother's cravings.  Every time the baby moved Bucky was there talking to it and he would invite Tom over, saying she needed to know her big brother's voice.  As Tom watched all the little things that Bucky did to make things better for Lacey, he realized what real love looked like between a man and a woman. 

When the day came where a government vehicle was waiting at the school for him after he was pulled from class, and Nick Fury opened the back door Tom knew something was up.  Fury told him his mother was in labour and his father was by her side.  They rode back together to the compound.  On the way, the Avengers director told him about trying to find Bucky Barnes when he was on the run, before the CIA or HYDRA did because he believed that the real man needed help to finally break free.

"You did that even though he almost killed you?" asked Tom, who had always been intimidated by the director.

"I did," replied Fury.  "I had heard about the Winter Soldier but until he and Steve Rogers first fought I didn't know he was James Barnes.  It all made sense then, what HYDRA did to him to make him comply, and I began looking over what files I could find.  When Natasha Romanoff leaked all of SHIELD's and HYDRA's files onto the internet I began decrypting the ones related to him, and realized the enormity of the crime that was perpetrated against your dad.  I always wanted to make sure that your dad came out of all of this intact and with a purpose in life.  After his family, that sense of purpose was going to be with the Avengers, I hoped."

"I want to be an Avenger," said Tom, hesitantly at first.  "Uncle Steve said I could."

"We would be honoured to have you," said Fury, kindly.  "You have the same qualities as your father, showing that when you fought back after the Power Broker kidnapped you."  The driver of the vehicle pulled into the compound and checked in at the security gate.  "Now, you can wait in the waiting room outside the birthing centre, or you can hang out with me for a while, and I can give you the real grand tour of the facility so that when you join us, after college because you deserve that, you'll know where everything is."

"What about my parents?" asked Tom.

"They'll know you're with me," said Fury.  "When your sister is almost born we'll go back and you'll get the chance to meet her, and give your parents some love.  Your choice.  It's always your choice, Tom."

He spent the next two hours with the man, then Fury suddenly tilted his head and touched his ear, acknowledging a message he must have received in a comms piece.  They walked to the waiting room of the birthing centre and Fury left him there, saying it wouldn't be long. 

Inside the birth room Lacey was in the final stages of labour.  The baby's head crowned and Tara, the midwife, was massaging the perineum to soften it further, allowing the baby's head to be born.  Through the mirror mounted behind her Bucky watched, amazed as his daughter's nose and mouth were suctioned out briefly then her head turned to allow a shoulder to exit the birth canal.  Once that happened the rest of her came out quickly and their baby girl was laid on Lacey's belly.  With tears in their eyes they both touched her then laughed when she cried out.  Bruce, who was there mostly in case something went wrong smiled at the couple, genuinely glad they finally had this moment together.  After Tara offered Bucky the scissors to cut the cord, the nurse, Irene, brought her over to the warming table and Bruce performed the check on the baby's reflexes, ecstatic at the results.  Two weeks early by the calendar, this baby showed all the signs of being almost a month old, if she was a normal baby.  Nodding his approval at Irene, Bruce watched as she bundled the baby up, put a stocking cap on her and carried her over to her parents. 

"Look at her, she's so beautiful," said Bucky.  "She's perfect."

When Lacey began to nurse their daughter Bruce saw a man who had once been the most feared assassin in the world lose it completely.  Placing his hand on Bucky's shoulder Bruce wasn't expecting to be enclosed in a bear hug.  Then Bucky sat and wept, gingerly touching his daughter as Lacey smiled affectionately at her husband.

"Tom is in the waiting room," said Bruce.  "Once the afterbirth is born he can come in here.  I'm taking a sample of the umbilical cord but the rest will be transported to Wakanda for Shuri to study."

"Anything for science," said Lacey calmly.  "What did she weigh?"

"8 lbs 13 ounces, and she was 23 inches long," he replied.  "At two weeks early she has all the hallmarks of a baby already a month old."

Shortly after Lacey finished feeding their daughter she delivered the afterbirth.  Bucky held his daughter as Irene cleaned up Lacey.  Then she went out to the waiting room and brought Tom in, helping him get washed up and gowned.  Leading him into the room he went over to his father sitting in an armchair with his sister on his bare chest.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Letting her feel my skin and hear my heartbeat," replied Bucky, gently.  "Apparently, it's something recommended for the baby to help her get used to being out of the womb.  Would you like to try it?"

"Can I?" asked Tom, excitedly.

Bucky nodded and watched as Tom pulled his gown down, took his shirt off and took his father's place in the armchair.  Gently he laid the baby on his son's chest and showed him where to put his hands. 

"Tom, meet Laura Natasha Barnes," he said.  "Both of them were important to your mother when she was pregnant with you and after you were born so we decided to honour them by naming her after them."

The new big brother bent his head over his baby sister and kissed her hair, then placed a finger in her hand, grinning when she grasped it firmly.  Bucky encouraged him to talk to her, and Tom whispered about all the things they would do on the farm, and all the animals they were planning to get.  When a little smile creased her face her brother kissed her again and stroked her delicate skin, looking forward to the day when he did this with his own child.

It wasn't all roses in the months that came after Laura's birth, as both Bucky and Tom got used to a baby that didn't always follow the rules of the house.  But nothing was solved with frustration and both of them always took a deep breath to help dissipate any negative emotions whenever her crying pushed their limits.  As Laura got older and began to walk and talk early, the challenging moments gave way to wondrous ones as they all helped the baby girl adapt to her abilities.  When Lacey discovered she was pregnant again, after a birth control failure when Laura was 8 months old the family took it in stride, welcoming Steven Samuel Barnes to the family 37 weeks into term. 

A rambunctious child who always had a smile on his face he kept Lacey on her toes.  The love that was shared between the family of four was extended to include the blonde toddler who was sweet enough to charm just about anyone, including a certain director of the Avengers who made sure to always have candy in his pocket that he slipped both small children when they made an appearance at the compound.  Bucky and Lacey found such great compatibility that they faced all challenges together, with love and humour, and the certainty that they would always have each other's back.

It isn't over yet.  Two more chapters, looking ahead to the future.

Chapter 29>>

Series Masterlist

[tenderbittersweet]

My 2023 New-to-Me Media Wrap-Up

Movies

History of the World, Part 1 (★★★)

A Man Called Otto (★★★★)

The Beguiled (★★★★)

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (★★★★★)

Everything Everywhere All at Once (★★★★)

Oppenheimer (★★★★★)

Barbie (★★★★★)

Bullet Train (★★★)

Other People (★★★)

A Haunting in Venice (★★★★)

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (★★★★)

Death on the Nile – 2022 (★★★)

Death on the Nile – 2004 (★★★)

The Woman in Black (★★★)

Worth (★★★★)

The Woman in White (★★★★)

Murder on the Orient Express (★★★★★)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (★★★)

Happiest Season (★★★)

The Other Boleyn Girl (★★★)

Maggie Moore(s) (★★★★★)

T.V. Shows

Ghosts S4-S5 (★★★★★)

Suits S1-S8 (★★★)

The Great S2-S3 (★★★)

The Bear S2 (★★★★★)

Mildred Pierce – Mini-series (★★★)

Fisk S1 (★★★★★)

Call the Midwife S12 (★★★★)

Over the Garden Wall (★★★★★)

Wolf Hall (★★★★★)

Books

Nobody is Ever Missing by Catherin Lacey (★★)

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman (★★★★)

Beowulf (★★★★)

Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala (★★)

This One Summer by Jillian & Mariko Tamaki (★★★)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (★★★★)

Zami by Audre Lorde (★★★)

Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (★★★)

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (★★★)

Othello by William Shakespeare (★★★★)

Dawn by Elie Wiesel (★★★)

Oroonoko by Aphra Behn (★★★)

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (★★★)

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (★★★★)

Clover by Dori Sanders (★★)

Passing by Nella Larson (★★★★)

Seize the Day by Saul Bellow (★★★)

Daisy Miller by Henry James (★★★★)

The Turn of the Screw x2 by Henry James (★★★★)

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde x2 by Robert Louis Stevenson (★★★★)

To a God Unknown by John Steinbeck (★★★)

The Yellow Wallpaper & Other Writings by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (★★★★)

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig (★★)

The Living by Annie Dillard (★★★)

Heartstones by Ruth Rendell (★★★)

The Law & the Lady by Wilkie Collins (★★★)

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (★★★★)

Cane by Jean Toomer (★★★★)

Our Dark Academia by Adrienne Raphel (★★)

A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie (★★★)

Wieland by Charles Brockden Brown (★★★★★)

The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammet (★★★★)

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (★★★)

E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton (★)

Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (★★)

Podcasts

Rehash (★)

Normal Gossip (★★)

Noble Blood (★★★★★)

Lore (★★★)

Fuckbois of Literature (★★★)

Stuff You Missed in History Class (★★★★)

If Books Could Kill (★★★★)

Wilder by Glynnis MacNicol (★★★★★)

Documentaries

Anna Nicole: You Don’t Know Me (★★★)

Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie (★★★★)

Defending My Life (★★★★★)

Plays

The Last Living Gun (★★★)

[anotherplumbob]

4AM -  Lacey Farm

Sev: MOOOOOOMSSSSS!! It’s coming!! The baby is coming!! CALL THE MIDWIFE! 

Six: quick, bring me boiled water and clean towels! 

Sev: what? 

Six: just joking, this is the sims, it will be fine. 

Upstairs

Rahmi: AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH 

Jo:Just breathe, breathe, breathe

Six: and spin, spin, spin!

And this is how, in the middle of the night, the Lacey Farm becomes a Full House welcoming its 8th member:

Welcome Oscar Lacey! 

[bisadiemccarthy]

First Lines Meme

thanks @whatstheproblembaby for tagging me! Rules are, List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors! I've been doing whumptober, and I count every chapter as its own oneshot, so expect a lot of that...

1. "It’s been almost a month since Lacey had officially invited Vic to move in with her and Tori, and she’s still not quite used to having another person in the apartment." WIP, to be posted tomorrow ;), Killer Hair

2. "Rebecca is having quite a pleasant conversation with Beard and Sassy over their glasses of champagne when she hears a commotion from the other side of the gala hall." Revenge, Ted Lasso

3. "Lacey does not really want to be doing anything twelve hours after giving birth." I Know It's Hard (Keep Your Head Up), Killer Hair

4. "Lacey isn’t entirely sure what she thinks of the combo antique-thrift shop she’s stepped into." You Break It, You Buy It, Killer Hair

5. "Lesley blinks, stumbling slightly in the movie theater lobby." Cursed, Rivers of London

6. "Shawn keeps a careful eye on his girlfriend as he leads her out to the veranda." I Promise That Nobody's Gonna Love You Like Me, Psych

7. "Jamie is meters away from Dani, his boots thudding on the wet grass of the pitch as he moves into position to receive a pass." Blood-Matted Hair, Ted Lasso

8. "”Get in,” says Dad, matter-of-fact and instructional as always, always telling you what to do without an ounce of warmth or love in his voice." Trunk, Psych

9. "Karen Vick is well aware of how quickly a situation can turn from good to bad, but in the space of a two-minute phone call might be a new record." Bleeding, Psych

10. "Selene is glad for voice-to-text as she tries to drive, text her husband, and not bleed all over her car at the same time." Doctor's Visit, Psych

11. "Tom tells himself he’s going to be calmer when his second child is born." Hemorrhage, Call the Midwife

12. "Shawn can’t sit still." On A Need to Know Basis, Psych

okay im cheating and ending early bc i have way too many oneshots and this is lowkey giving me a headache, but my fav is number 12 bc of how short and succinct it is. tagging @someonefantastic @uno-reverse-reversed and @shangqiskaty!

[emilypemily]

I am watching the Lacey Turner episode of call the midwife and once again wishing that Lacey Turner had a thriving career outside of Eastenders

[boygeniuses]

me, watching call the midwife: ALL THESE WOMEN DESERVE BETTER

[sleepykittypaws]

2018 TV Holiday Premieres

Updated: December 30, 2018

ABC

Mickey’s 90th Spectacular (two-hour celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday featuring music and appearances by Skylar Astin Kelsea Ballerini, Miles Brown, Anna Camp, Josh Gad, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sage Steele, Luis Fonsi and Tori Kelly. Original Mouseketeers Bob Burgess and Sharon Baird will also appear) - Nov. 4

Mary Poppins Returns: Behind the Magic (Behind the scenes look at the upcoming feature film sequel starring Emily Blunt) - Nov. 22

I’m Coming Home (stars Kristen Chenoweth, Tiffany Haddish and Tyler Perry return to their hometowns for a documentary-style special produced by Whoopi Goldberg) - Nov. 22

The Great Christmas Light Fight (season 6 of the limited-run reality competition featuring outrageous holiday displays judged by Carter Oosterhouse and Taniya Nayak) - weekly starting Nov. 26

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (musical celebration from the Disney parks hosted by Jordan Fisher and Sarah Hyland, featuring Gwen Stefani, Meghan Trainor and Andrea Bocelli) - Nov. 29 

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Holiday Special (holiday fashion show featuring top models and musical acts Bebe Rexha, The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Kelsea Ballerini, Rita Ora, Shawn Mendes and The Struts) - Dec. 2

The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition (season 4 of the American version of the popular cooking contest, The Great British Baking Show, focused on holiday treats; hosted by Emma Bunton and Anthony Adams, with judges Sherry Yard and Paul Hollywood) - weekly starting Dec. 6

Dancing with the Stars: Holiday Special (special holiday-themed season finale of the series) - Dec. 9

CMA Country Christmas (annual musical celebration of the season, featuring Country artists performing original music and Christmas classics, hosted by Reba McEntire and featuring Tony Bennett, Dan+Shay, Brad Paisley and Martina McBride. Filmed in front a live audience in Nashville) - Dec. 10

The Year in Memoriam 2018 (Robin Roberts and Jimmy Kimmel pay tribute to the legendary stars and icons the world lost this year) - Dec. 17

The Year: 2018 (two-hour special looking at the most iconic moments of 2018, hosted by Robin Roberts) - Dec. 23

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (annual holiday parade/musical showcase taped in Disney World, Disneyland and other worldwide Disney Parks) - Dec. 25

Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest (47th annual Times Square New Year’s countdown) - Dec. 31 

NBC

A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving (look back at 44 years of SNL Thanksgivings) - Nov. 21

Macy’s 92nd Thanksgiving Day Parade (official parade coverage, LIVE)  - Nov. 22 (also available on the NBC app and Verizon’s YouTube Channel)

The National Dog Show (annual pet competition hosted by John O’Hurley ) - Nov. 22

86th annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center (annual New York City tree lighting featuring musical performances, LIVE) - Nov. 28

A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy (musical special featuring real-life husband-and-wife John Legend and Chrissy Teigen) - Nov. 28 ***Review***

LEGO Jurassic World: The Secret Exhibit (original animated special set before first Jurassic World movie; A trio of dinosaurs needs to be moved to a new super-secret exhibit.) - Nov. 29 (Trailer) **Review**

Deal or No Deal: Happy Howie Days (a special $1 million dollar holiday offering of the game show which last aired 10 years ago) - Dec. 3

Saturday Night Live: Best of Christmas (holiday retrospective from the late-night sketch series) - Dec. 4

Penatonix: A Not So Silent Night (third holiday special with the a cappella group, featuring special guests Kelly Clarkson, the Backstreet Boys, Marren Morris, and Penn & Teller; filmed in Las Vegas) - Dec. 10

Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas (one-hour musical special starring the 13-year-old winner of 2017′s America’s Got Talent, singing and celebrating the season in her Oklahoma City hometown) - Dec. 11

Ho Ho Hollywood Game Night: Holiday Edition (one-hour holiday-themed game special) - Dec. 11

Ellen’s Game of Games Holiday Spectacular (holiday edition of game show hosted by Ellen Degeneres) - Dec. 12

Little Big Holiday Special (one-off return of the Steve Harvey-hosted series with holiday fan favorites) - Dec. 12

America’s Got Talent: Holiday (holiday edition of the popular series) - Dec. 17

Timeless: The Miracle of Christmas (the two-season NBC series gets a holiday-themed, wrap-up movie, starring the original cast, including Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter and Malcolm Barrett; according to the release, “ride through the past, present and future, with a healthy dose of Christmas spirit”) - Dec. 20 **Review**

Christmas Eve Mass (from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, conducted by Pope Francis) - Dec. 24

NBC News Special: A Toast to 2018 (year-end review hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb) - Dec. 31

NBC New Year’s Eve (live from Times Square hosted by Carson Daly and Chrissie Teigen with special guest Leslie Jones) - Dec. 31

130th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade (LIVE parade coverage) - Jan. 1

CBS

The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS (unofficial parade coverage of the Macy’s parade hosted by Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight, LIVE) - Nov. 22

Garth: Live at Notre Dame (LIVE concert with country singer Garth Brooks, broadcast from South Bend, Ind.) - Dec. 6

A Home for the Holidays: The 20th Anniversary (20th annual special celebrating foster children and their caregivers) - Dec. 21

The 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors (celebration recognizing groundbreaking work in entertainment, featuring this year’s honorees: Cher, Reba McEntire, composers Philip Glass and Wayne Shorter, and Hamilton co-creators Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire) - Dec. 26

FOX

MasterChef Junior: Celebrity Showdown (Thanksgiving-special battle with celebs and their kids, with money going to charity) - Nov. 22

FOX’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey: Live from Times Square (New Year’s eve countdown special featuring special guests and musical performances from Sting, Robin Thicke, Florence + the Machine, Jason Aldean, Juanes and Why Don't We) - Dec. 31

CW

87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (tape-delayed presentation of the annual holiday parade, featuring Grand Marshal Nancy O’Dell, filmed Nov. 25 in Hollywood) - Dec. 14

iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2018 (holiday concert special featuring Shawn Mendes and Cardi B) - Dec. 16

Greatest Holiday Commercial Countdown 2018 (ET’s Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight host this holiday countdown of the top 12 holiday commercials) - Dec. 18

Greatest Holiday Video Countdown (hosted by the Holderness family, taking a look at viral holiday video clips) - Dec. 18

Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic (holiday special featuring well known magicians) - Dec. 23

Popstars Best of 2018 (musical special looking back at the year’s biggest pop hits, hosted by Elizabeth Stanton) - Dec. 28

PBS

Hanukkah: A Festival of Delights (documentary featuring American Jewish families from a variety of backgrounds along with actors William Shatner and Lainie Kazan, all sharing their personal Hanukkah experiences, plus archival film and images) - Nov. 25

Let’s Go Luna: Christmas Around the World (Christmas special of the preschool series) - Dec. 10

15th Annual Christmas with the Morman Tabernacle Choir (holiday concert with the famed choir, featuring Sutton Foster and Hugh Bonneville) - Dec. 17

Lidia Celebrates America: A Heartland Holiday Feast (chef Lidia Bastianich undertakes a cross-country journey to find traditional American holiday cuisine) - Dec. 18

Happy Holidays with the Boston Pops (one-hour music special showcasing the best of the New England holiday season) - Dec. 22

Call the Midwife Christmas Special (special holiday episode of the series, airing same day as in the UK) - Dec. 25

Nova: Apollo 8 (in-depth look at the Christmas Eve mission that circled the moon and perhaps saved NASA, featuring exclusive interviews with astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders) - Dec. 26

Great Performances: Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood (celebrate the legendary composer with the Boston Symphony Orchestra) - Dec. 28

ACL Hall of Fame New Year’s Eve 2018 (celebrate the induction of new Austin City Limits Hall of Famers: Ray Charles, Los Lobos and Marcia Ball, with performances by Boz Scaggs and Norah Jones; Hosted by Chris Isaak) - Dec. 29

Live from Lincoln Center: New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve (LIVE concert performance to ring in the New Year) - Dec. 31 

Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel’s Christmas: First Look (Lacey Chabert gives a sneak peek at Hallmark’s 2018 Christmas movie line-up) - Jul. 21 (Watch Online)

Christmas: A Second Look Preview Special (Kellie Pickler hosts a follow-up preview to both the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas 2018 line-up) - Sep. 29 (Watch Online)

2018 Countdown to Christmas Preview Special (preview of the 22 new movies set to air during Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas, hosted by Kellie Pickler) - Oct. 20 (Watch Online)

Christmas at Pemberley Manor (holiday movie starring Jessica Lowndes and Michael Rady, an event planner crosses paths with a surly billionaire while organizing a small town Christmas festival) - Oct. 27 (On Location)

Christmas Joy (movie starring Danielle Panabaker and Matt Long, based on the book by Nancy Naigle; a marketer reluctantly returns to run the family farm for her ailing aunt, then she and her one-time crush must organize the town’s cookie crawl) - Nov. 3 (Preview) (On Location) **Review**

Road to Christmas (holiday movie starring Jessy Schram and Chad Michael Murray; An assistant is charged with making sure her employer’s adult sons make it home for Christmas, but a blizzard interferes with travel plans) - Nov. 4 (Preview) (On Location) **Review**

It’s Christmas, Eve (movie starring and featuring three original songs by LeAnn Rimes: It's Christmas, Eve, The Gift of Your Love and You and Me and Christmas; also starring Tyler Hines. A school superintendent sent to cut costs at her hometown High School meets a handsome, single music teacher, who is desperate to raise enough money to protect his program) - Nov. 10 (soundtrack available Oct 12, featuring, The Gift of Your Love and You and Me and Christmas and It’s Christmas, Eve) (Preview) (On Location)

Christmas in Love (holiday movie starring Mary-Margaret Humes, Daniel Lissing and Brooke D’Orsay; A daughter tries to protect her family bakery, famous for its Kringle Christmas cookies, from a corporate takeover ) - Nov. 11 (Preview) (On Location)

Christmas at Graceland (movie starring country singer Kellie Pickler and Wes Brown, directed by Eric Close and set in Memphis and featuring both Elvis Presley’s music and his iconic Tennessee estate; Chicago exec returns to Memphis hometown at holidays on business and reunites with an old flame who rekindles her musical dreams) - Nov. 17 (On Location) (NOTE: Special world premiere at Graceland, Nov. 15)

Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa (movie sequel to 2017′s Christmas in Evergreen starring Jill Wagner, Mark Deklin, Holly Robinson-Peete, Andrew Francis, Barbara Niven, Rukyia Bernard and Ashley Williams; When she finds out Evergreen’s quaint General Store has been closed, a woman enlists the help of townspeople, and a little Christmas magic, to save it and a mysterious 25-year-old letter to Santa.) - Nov. 18 (Preview) Review

Reunited at Christmas (holiday movie starring Mike Faiola and Nikki DeLoach as a novelist struggling with writer’s block who returns with her boyfriend to her late grandmother’s house for the holidays and rediscovers the true meaning of Christmas.) - Nov. 21

Christmas at the Palace (holiday movie starring Brittany Bristow, Andrew Cooper and Merritt Patterson; A former figure skating champ is hired by a European monarch to coach his daughter for a Christmas skating pageant and finds himself falling in love at the holidays, but is she ready to be royalty?) - Nov. 22

Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Lacey Chabert and Brendan Penny, based on the book by Melissa de la Cruz; Christmas-themed, modern update of the Jane Austen classic, but with a role reversal that casts Chabert as Darcy, returning to her hometown to plan a holiday event with a rival restaurant owner and restore her relationship with her father) - Nov. 23

Christmas Everlasting (Hallmark Hall of Fame movie directed by Ron Oliver, who also helmed 2017′s The Christmas Train, based on the book The Second Sister by Marie Bostwick, starring Tatyana Ali, Dennis Haysbert, Patti LaBelle and Dondre T Whitfield; A corporate lawyer returns home after her sister passes away to settle her estate, not knowing her will stipulates she must live there for 30 days. While back in a place she never thought she’d return to, she discovers what she’s been missing.) - Nov. 24

A Shoe Addict’s Christmas (holiday movie starring Candace Cameron Bure, Jean Smart and Luke Macfarlane, based on the book by Nicole Harbison; in this modern take on A Christmas Carol, a holiday hater is locked in the department store she works in on Christmas Eve and visited by her guardian angel in the shoe department, before getting a glimpse of Christmases past, present and future.) - Nov. 25 *Review*

Mingle All the Way (holiday romance starring Brant Daugherty, Lindsay Wagner and Jen Lilley; In an effort to prove to her family that her app matching compatible couples for events, without romance, works, she uses it herself. When she’s matched with someone she’s already had disastrous encounters with, she’s forced to save face and make it work.) - Dec. 1 Review

A Majestic Christmas (holiday movie starring Jerrika Hinton and Christian Vincent; an architect returns to turn her hometown theater into a modern multiplex, much to her chagrin, as she tries to convince the theater’s owner that the playhouse, and the town’s Christmas traditions, are worth preserving.) - Dec. 2 (Preview)

Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas (holiday musical special, featuring musical experiences and holiday reminisces with singer Amy Grant) - Dec. 3

Meet the Peetes Christmas Special (special featuring Holly Robinson Peete and family) - Dec. 3 (Preview)

Homegrown Christmas (holiday movie starring Victor Webster, Lori Loughlin and Kate Isaac, who plays a CEO who returns to her hometown at the holidays to regroup after being forced to step down. There, she reconnects with her high school sweetheart when they’re forced to plan a dance together for the local high school.) - Dec. 8

Welcome to Christmas (movie based on the book The Trouble with Christmas by Debbie Mason, starring Jennifer Finnigan and Eric Mabius as a small town sheriff desperate to convince a resort developer to save their community by turning it into a Christmas vacation destination)- Dec. 9

Entertaining Christmas (holiday movie starring Brendan Fehr and Jodie Sweetin as a  daughter striving to impress her perfectionist cooking and crafting expert mother, and prove she’s worthy of taking over the family business, by creating the perfect Christmas for a young girl whose father is deployed) - Dec. 15

A Gingerbread Romance (holiday movie starring Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry; an architect pairs with a local baker, and single dad, to build life-size gingerbread houses in hopes of getting a promotion) - Dec. 16 **Review**

Candace Cameron Bure’s Christmas Across America (holiday special, produced and hosted by Candace Cameron Bure, featuring Christmas celebrations from across the U.S.) - Dec. 17

Jingle Around the Clock (holiday movie starring Brooke Nevin and Michael Cassidy, a young advertising exec must ditch her holiday college reunion to work on a new Christmas campaign with a partner who doesn’t share her vision.) - Dec. 22

Christmas Made to Order (holiday movie starring Alexa PenaVega and Jonathan Bennett; an architect hires an event planner to help his family Christmas go off without a hitch.) - Dec. 23

When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing (4th holiday movie based on the television series, starring Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith and Paul Greene; A group of orphans become stranded in Hope Valley for the holidays with two mysterious sisters) - Dec. 25

A Midnight Kiss (holiday movie starring Carlos PenaVega and Adelaide Kane; a family of party planners has only one week to prepare for the biggest New Year’s Eve event of their lives, but when her brother breaks his leg and her parents have to leave, their daughter is forced to enlist outside assistance to get the job done.) - Dec. 29

2019 Winterfest Preview Special (preview special of the Winterfest movies set to air in January 2019) - Dec. 29

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Miracles of Christmas Preview Special (preview of the 15 new movies set to air during Hallmark Movie & Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas hosted by Candace Cameron-Bure) - Oct. 14 (Watch Online)

Marrying Father Christmas (movie starring Erin Krakow, Niall Matter and Wendie Malick; sequel to 2017′s Engaging Father Christmas and 2016′s Finding Father Christmas, based on the book series by Robin Jones Gunn) - Nov. 4 (First Look)

A Veteran’s Christmas (holiday movie starring Eloise Mumford and Sean Faris; a decorated solider separated from her service dog returns home from Afghanistan and finds herself stranded in the town of Rivers Crossing for the holiday.) - Nov. 11 (Preview) (First Look) **Review**

Return to Christmas Creek (holiday movie starring Steven Weber, Tori Anderson, Stephen Huszar and Kari Matchett; after her app is rejected by Silicone Valley a young woman returns to her family’s hometown and, along with her childhood best friend, works to reunite her father with his pilot brother, who flies over the town each Christmas Eve dressed as Santa delivering toys to needy children) - Nov. 17 ***Review***

A Godwink Christmas (movie starring Kimberly Sustad, Paul Campbell and Kathie Lee Gifford, based on the book by SQuire Rushnell; an antiques dealer reluctantly gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend at Christmas, but her aunt invites her to Nantucket after sensing her reluctance) - Nov. 18 (First Look)

Last Vermont Christmas (holiday movie starring Justin Bruening, Catherine Corcoran and Erin Cahill; Parents decide to sell the family home—to their daughter’s high school sweetheart—telling their grown children at the holidays that this will be their last Christmas in Vermont.) - Nov. 19

Hope at Christmas (holiday movie based on the book by Nancy Naigle, starring Scottie Thompson and Ryan Paevey, who plays a school teacher that dreams of being a writer, with a holiday job as the local Santa, determined to make a little girl’s Christmas dreams come true) - Nov. 20

Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane (movie starring Alicia Witt, Mary McDonough, Laura Leighton and Colin Ferguson, based on McDonough’s novel, House on Honeysuckle Lane; siblings return home for one last Christmas before selling their family home after their parents’ passing, but a discovery changes everything) - Nov. 24 **Review**

Christmas Wonderland (holiday movie starring Kelly Hu, Emily Osment and Ryan Rottman; an overworked gallery owner returns to her hometown due to a family emergency to watch her niece and nephew, where she reunites with her high school boyfriend, now a teacher, and helps him plan the school’s annual Christmas Snow Ball) - Dec. 1

Once Upon a Christmas Miracle (holiday movie starring Lolita Davidovich, Aimee Teegarden and Brett Dalton, based on the true story of Heather Krueger and Christopher Dempsey; A dying woman receives a liver transplant from a kind stranger and, over three Christmases, they fall in love.) - Dec. 2

Memories of Christmas (holiday movie starring Mark Taylor and Christina Milian as Noelle, who returns to her late mother’s house for the holidays, and reluctantly regains her passion for Christmas through her mother’s love of the holiday and a handsome holiday decorator) - Dec. 8 *Review*

Time for Me To Come Home for Christmas (holiday movie based on the song by Blake Shelton and book by Shelton’s mother, Dorothy Shackleford, and Travis Thrasher, starring Josh Henderson and Megan Park; a country star and a small-town business woman returning to Oklahoma for Christmas are stymied by a snowstorm and decide to drive to their destination together, learning how much they have in common along the way.) - Dec. 9

Northern Lights of Christmas (holiday movie starring Ashley Williams and Corey Sevier, based on the book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts by Teri Wilson; when an aspiring pilot inherits a reindeer farm she finds herself overwhelmed until a mysterious stranger shows up to help at the holidays.) - Dec. 15

Small Town Christmas (holiday movie starring Kris Polaha and Ashley Newbrough; a first-time novelist’s book tour to promote her surprise best-seller takes her to the hometown of an old colleague who broke her heart and unwittingly helped inspire her novel.) - Dec. 16

A Christmas for the Books (holiday movie starring Chelsea Kane and Drew Seeley a life guru with a best-selling book all about finding love finds herself single at the holidays. When she’s asked to host a major holiday gala she’s got to find someone who will pretend to be her boyfriend, or risk being exposed as a fraud) - Dec. 20

Christmas at Grand Valley (holiday movie starring Danica McKellar, Brennan Elliott and Dan Lauria; A burned out Chicago art dealer wants to spend a quiet Christmas relaxing and rejuvenating in her favorite town, where she meets up a single dad and his kids who are reviewing the hotel they’re all staying in) - Dec. 21

Christmas Bells Are Ringing (holiday movie starring Emilie Ullerup and Josh Kelly; a photographer returns to Cape Cod to celebrate her father’s Christmas Eve wedding and finds an inspiring winter wonderland through the eyes of a local) - Dec. 22

Happy and Friends Yule Log (visual “Yule Log” featuring Happy the Dog and other cute canine and feline friends) - Dec. 24-25

Lifetime

It’s a Wonderful Lifetime Preview Special (holiday preview special hosted by Melissa Joan Hart) - Nov. 17 (Watch Online)

My Christmas Inn (holiday movie starring Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Rob Mayes, Jackee Harry, Tim Reid and Erin Gray, shot on location in Utah; A San Fran ad exec inherits a small-town Alaska inn at the holidays and falls in love with the town, and a handsome architect she meets there) - Nov. 21 (Preview) **Review**

A Christmas Arrangement (holiday movie starring Nicky Whelan, Miles Fisher, Julie McNiven, Leslie Easterbrook, and Daphne Zuniga; when a flower shop owner enters a holiday floral show that features a $5,000 grand prize, she finds a worthy rival, and love blossoms) - Nov. 21

The Christmas Contract (holiday movie starring One Tree Hill alums Hilarie Burton, Robert Buckley, Danneel Ackles and Antwon Tanner with an original song from Tyler Hilton; also starring Jordan Ladd, Cheryl Ladd, Bruce Boxleitner and Jason London; A women not wanting to face her newly-coupled ex during a hometown Christmas celebration, so she hires her best friend’s brother to pretend to be her boyfriend) - Nov. 22 (Preview) ***Review***

'Tis the Season: A One Tree Hill Cast Reunion (holiday special featuring the cast of One Tree Hill plus special guests) - Nov. 22

Poinsettias for Christmas (holiday movie starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Sharon Lawrence, John Schneider, Lauren London and Marcus Rosner; Daughter comes home to help on her family’s poinsettia farm as a disaster looms as the plants aren’t ready for the holiday.) - Nov. 23 (Preview) ***Review***

Every Other Holiday (holiday movie starring Schulyer Fisk, David Clayton Rogers, Dee Wallace and Abby James Witherspoon; Daughters scheme to reunite their estranged parents by getting the whole family to spend Christmas together at a family farmhouse) - Nov. 23 ****Review****

Every Day is Christmas (holiday movie starring Toni Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Gloria Reuben and Michael Jai White; Modern take on A Christmas Carol where a humbug money manager sees her past, present and future collide.) - Nov. 24 (Preview)

Christmas Harmony (holiday movie starring Kelley Jakle, Chandra Wilson, Adam Mayfield and Sally Struthers; When her pop star boyfriend breaks up with her at Christmas, a young woman returns to her hometown at the holidays and rediscovers her own dreams.) - Nov. 24

Jingle Belle (movie starring Tatyana Ali, Cornelius Smith Jr, Loretta Devine, Valarie Pettiford, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Tempestt Bledsoe; high school sweethearts once known for their flawless Christmas duet are reunited to work on the pageant they once starred in) - Nov. 25 (Preview)

Christmas Perfection (movie starring Caitlin Thompson, James Henri-Thomas and Robbie Silverman; A Christmas control freak finds herself transported into a magical Christmas village where she learns “the perfect Christmas” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be) - Nov. 25

A Very Nutty Christmas (starring Melissa Joan Hart, Barry Watson, Marissa Winokur, Conchata Ferrell and Rizwan Manji; Hart plays a workaholic baker who’s just been dumped and decides to “give up on Christmas” when a magic nutcracker comes to life; filmed on location in Conn.) - Nov. 30 (Preview) ****Review****

A Twist of Christmas (holiday movie starring Brendon Zub, Vanessa Lachey, Rick Fox and Christian Convery; Single parents accidentally switch their kids Christmas gifts and must work together to fix the mix-up or the holiday will be ruined.) - Dec. 1 *Review*

The Christmas Pact (holiday movie starring Kyla Pratt, Jarod Joseph, Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy; Childhood besties have kept their Christmas pact intact since they planted a tree together at age 8, but now life is getting in the way of their annual traditions.) - Dec. 2 (Preview)

Christmas Lost and Found (holiday movie starring Tiya Sircar, Ed Ruttle and Diane Ladd; A big city event planner is guilted into spending the holidays with her grandmother, but when she accidentally trashes the heirloom family ornaments, she ends up finding out what the season really means.) - Dec. 7 ***Review***

Santa’s Boots (holiday movie starring Megan Hilty, Fiona Vroom, Marc-Anthony Massiah, Noah Mills, June Squibb and Patricia Isaac; A young women returns home for Christmas to find her family’s store on brink of bankruptcy. To help out she fills in as one of Santa’s helpers where she meets a charming store St. Nick, who mysteriously disappears just before the holiday, leaving behind just his boot.) - Dec. 8 **Review**

A Christmas in Tennessee (holiday movie starring Rachel Boston, Andrew Walker, Patricia Richardson and Caroline Rhea; When a developer tries to turn their town, including the family-owned bakery, into a ski resort, the mom-daughter baking duo set out to stop him with a little Christmas magic.) - Dec. 9 ***Review***

Christmas Around the Corner (holiday movie directed by Megan Follows, starring Alexandra Breckenridge, Jamie Spilchuk and Jane Alexander; A woman escaping her city life during Christmas discovers her Vermont holiday rental requires her to run an attached bookshop, where she unexpectedly falls in love) - Dec. 14

Christmas Pen Pals (holiday movie starring Michael Gross, Sarah Drew and Niall Matter; Creator of a dating app heads home for the holidays following a devastating breakup where she runs into her high school love while running the town’s Christmas Cupid pen pal program.) - Dec. 15

Hometown Christmas (holiday movie starring Beverley Mitchell, Stephen Colletti, Erin Cahill, Melissa Gilbert and Danny Boaz; High school sweethearts return to their hometown and find their parents have fallen in love, filmed on location in Louisiana) - Dec. 16

Freeform

The Truth About Christmas (holiday movie starring Kali Hawk, Damon Dayoub and Ali Ghandour; a political consultant famed for her spin finds herself unable to lie after a run in with a toy store Santa on the way to meet her mayoral candidate boyfriend’s family for the first time) - Nov. 25 (Trailer) ****Review****

Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve (movie starring Tyra Banks, Francia Raisa and Gavin Stenhouse, Christmas-themed sequel to the 2000 Wonderful World of Disney film) - Dec. 2 (Teaser, Trailer)

Pop Up Santa Special (viewers are surprised with special Christmas gifts by Freeform’s “Pop Up Santa”) - Dec. 3

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic 2 (second special featuring Christmas weddings at Disney parks hosted Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker and featuring a performance by Martina McBride) - Dec. 8

No Sleep ‘Til Christmas (holiday movie starring real life husband and wife Dave and Odette Annable as a pair of insomniacs who come to depend on one another even though one of them is engaged to someone else; also starring Sheryl Lee Ralph) - Dec. 10 (Trailer) Review

ION

A Wedding for Christmas (starring Vivica A. Fox and Cristine Prosperi; an assistant for a top wedding planner returns to her hometown to plan her sister’s Christmas wedding, only to run into her childhood sweetheart) - Nov. 25

Christmas Cupid’s Arrow (starring Elisabeth Harnois and Jonathan Togo; After Holly’s younger sister announce she’s pregnant, the college professor signs up for a dating service, determined to find a mate, but maybe the guy she’s looking for is fellow faculty member, and single dad, David, who she’s planning the winter formal with) - Dec. 2

Rent-an-Elf (holiday movie starring Kim Shaw and Sean Patrick Thomas; Type-A Ava runs a full-service holiday planning company called Rent-an-Elf, but finds herself wanting to share the Christmas she plans for a single dad and his son, until his ex-wife returns for the holidays) - Dec. 8

A Snow White Christmas (starring Carolyn Hennesy and Liam McNeill; stuck with her evil stepmother for the holidays, Bianca Snow tries to make the best of it, bonding with the decorator, much to her stepmother’s chagrin, who tries to hypnotize Bianca into forgetting about her inheritance) - Dec. 9 (Trailer)

Country Christmas Album (starring Hannah Barefoot and Evan Gamble; a country singer tries to save her career by reluctantly agreeing to make a Christmas album with a former teen heartthrob) - Dec. 15

A Christmas in Royal Fashion (starring Cindy Busby and Diarmaid Murtagh; a PR assistant is put in charge of a charity Christmas fashion show sponsored by the royal family of Edgewater, when the prince confuses her for her boss and falls for her, the assistant is too scared to tell him the truth) - Dec. 16

UP

Beverly Hills Christmas II (a.ka. This Is Our Christmas; sequel to 2015′s Beverly Hills Christmas starring Margaret O’Brien, Ronn Moss and Kira Reed Lorsch; when a Beverly Hills family suffers financial hardship at the holidays, they’re in need of a true Christmas miracle) - Nov. 3

The Christmas Switch (holiday movie starring Jackie Seiden, Ashley Wood, Oana Gregory; Two moms swap bodies and have to figure out how to switch back before Christmas) - Nov. 4

Chandler Christmas Getaway (movie starring Malinda Williams, GregAllen Williams, DeEtta West and Victoria Rowell, fifth in the series that began with 2013′s Marry Me for Christmas; The Chandler family heads to a cabin for Christmas) - Nov. 11

Christmas on the Coast (movie starring Julie Ann Emery and Burgess Jenkins about a New York novelist known for holiday romances who spends the holidays in a resort locale, and finds herself with her own Christmas romance) - Nov. 18 (Twitter, Trailer)  (available on DVD Nov. 6)

Christmas Catch (movie starring Yanic Trusedale, Genelle Williams and Emily Alatalo; a detective goes undercover over the holidays and might just be falling for the man she’s sent to watch) - Dec. 2

Christmas with a Prince (holiday movie starring Kaitlyn Leeb, Nick Hounslow and Charles Shaughnessy; a doctor finds herself taking care of a handsome, spoiled prince after he breaks his leg skiing; also available on DVD) - Dec. 9 (Trailer)

Christmas on Holly Lane (holiday movie starring Karen Holness, Jamie M Callica and Giles Panton; lifelong friends come together to save a house they cherish at the holidays) - Dec. 16

Hometown Holiday (holiday movie starring Kevin McGarry, Sarah Troyer and Stephen Huszar; a record exec goes to a country holiday wedding in hopes of signing a social media celeb, but falls for a small town girl instead, also available on DVD) - Dec. 23  (Trailer)

TV One

A Special Night of Rickey Smile for Real (the comedian hosts a special holiday comedy and cooking extravaganza) - Nov. 20

Merry Wish-Mas (movie starring real-life husband and wife Tamela and David Mann, as former high school sweethearts reunited for the holidays amidst family drama) - Dec. 2 (Clip)

Living by Design Holiday Special (brother and sister Jake and Jazz Smollett bring viewers into their home for a spectacular Christmas dinner)- Dec. 9

Coins for Christmas (movie starring Essence Atkins, Stephen Bishop, TC Carson and Kelly Price, as herself; the story of a single mother, struggling to make ends meet after the IRS freezes her bank account. Doing odd jobs to survive, she ends up working for a pro football player two weeks before Christmas, and the two change each other’s lives.) - Dec. 16 (Clip)

INSP

Christmas on the Coast (movie starring Julie Ann Emery and Burgess Jenkins about a New York novelist known for holiday romances who spends the holidays in a resort locale, and finds herself with her own Christmas romance) - Nov. 25 (Twitter, Trailer)  (available on DVD Nov. 6)

BYU TV

Shoelaces for Christmas (movie based on the book by Craig S Buehner, starring Bailey Chase, Mia Topalian and Austin Grant; A selfish teen learns the true meaning of service after receiving devastating news at the holiday) - Dec. 2

Christmas Under the Stars (concert featuring Train and The Band Perry) - Dec. 16

15th Annual Christmas with the Morman Tabernacle Choir (holiday concert with the famed choir, featuring Sutton Foster and Hugh Bonneville) - Dec. 20

Disney Channel/Disney Jr.

Snow Place Like Home (holiday special based on the Elena of Avalor series) - Nov. 24 (Disney Jr.)

A Very Muppet Babies Christmas (holiday special based on the series) - Nov. 30 ***Review***

Ducktales Last Christmas! (special holiday episode of the rebooted series, featuring the voices of Danny Pudi, Bobby Moynihan, Ben Schwartz and David Tennant; Scrooge avoids the pressures of the holidays by traveling back in time with a trio of fun-loving ghosts to crash history's greatest Christmas parties.) - Nov. 30 (Trailer)

Disney Parks Presents a 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Party (holiday season kickoff special featuring music from Gwen Stefani, Brett Eldredge and Asher Angel) - Dec. 1 (available on DisneyNOW app starting Nov. 23)

Doc McStuffins Christmas Special (special holiday episode of the Disney Jr. series; Doc and the toys travel back in time to the North Pole to save Christmas) - Dec. 2 (Disney Jr.) (Trailer)

Nancy and the Nice List (animated special based on the Fancy Nancy series; When Nancy struggles to make Santa's Nice List, she learns the true meaning of Christmas.) - Dec. 14 (Disney Jr.)

Nickelodeon

The Loudest Thanksgiving (holiday special of the animated series) - Nov. 12

Spacebob Merrypants (new holiday special episode of SpongeBob Squarepants) - Nov. 25

WGN

Uncle Dan’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (LIVE coverage of Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day parade) - Nov. 22

CNN

New Year’s Eve Live (LIVE coverage of the events in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen) - Dec. 31

TBS

Elf Pets: Santa’s St. Bernards Save Christmas (original animated special featuring the Elf on the Shelf, also available on DVD) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Full Frontal Presents Christmas on I.C.E. (commercial-free comedy special benefiting KIND, an organization dedicated to helping migrant children in detention; special guests include Adam Rippon) - Dec. 19 (Trailer, Clip)

BET

Throwback Holiday (holiday movie starring Jennifer Freeman, Robert Ri'chard and Rhyon Nicole Brown.; A harried mom in a shaky marriage wishes her way back to high school for a life do-over at the holidays) - Dec. 16 (Trailer)

BET Her

One Crazy Christmas (holiday movie starring Carl Payne, Terri Abney, Junie Hoang, Anton Peeples, Kiana Dancie and Tammy Townsend; filmed on location in Houston) - Nov. 17

VH1

RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular (one-off holiday special of the RuPaul-hosted series featuring all-star cast members in a holiday competition to be crowned the “Christmas Queen”) - Dec. 7 (Trailer)

TLC

The 12 Pops of Christmas (holiday-themed special with Dr. Pimple Popper, dermatologist Dr. Lee) - Dec. 13

Ovation

2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting (live musical performances and the official lighting of the National Christmas tree, in front of the White House, LIVE) - Dec. 2 (will also air on REELZ)

Food Network

Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge (three episode cooking competition, hosted by Giada De Laurentiis) - starting Nov. 4

Holiday Baking Championship (holiday baking contest series hosted by Host Jesse Palmer, along with judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale) - starting Nov. 5

Christmas Cookie Challenge (cookie baking contest series hosted by Eddie Jackson, with judge Roe Drummond) - starting Nov. 5

Giada's Holiday Handbook (Giada De Laurentiis shares tips and tricks for pulling of holiday parties) - Nov. 11

Worst Cooks in America: Thanksgiving Redemption (special cooking challenge) - Nov. 11

Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro Thanksgiving Special (special primetime episode of the series with guests Jennifer Garner and Nigella Lawson helping Ina Garten cook their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes) - Nov. 17

Macy’s Thanksgiving Cake Spectacular (parade themed cake contest, hosted by Martha Stewart) - Nov. 18

Holiday Wars (three teams of cake bakers compete to create the most outstanding Christmas cake possible, hosted by Jonathan Bennett with judges Shinmin Li and Jason Smith) - Nov. 25

Holiday Gingerbread Showdown (four episode series featuring master Gingerbread makers competing against one another to create holiday delights, hosted by Marcela Valladolid with judges Kerry Vincent, Molly Yeh and Adam Young) - Nov. 25

Crazy Christmas Cakes (five cake artists from across the country bake elaborate holiday cakes) - Dec. 1

Gingerbread Giants 2 (special episode following five competitors at the annual National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, N.C.) - Dec. 23

Holiday Baking Championship: Homecoming (6 past Holiday Baking Championship winners return to the kitchen for a one-off competition to prove who is the best of the best holiday bakers ) - Dec. 24

Cooking Channel

Holiday Cookie Builds (limited episode holiday reality show featuring Salt Lake City gingerbread masters Brenda Nibley and Alisha Nuttall) - starting Nov. 9

SyFy

Santa Jaws (movie starring Reid Miller, Courtney Lauren Cumming and Jim Klock; comic book author’s Christmas killer shark somehow comes to life and begins menacing his friends at the holidays) - Aug. 14

Discovery ID

The Thanksgiving Ambush (true crime special, featuring the story of an Oklahoma couple ambushed in their garage two days before Thanksgiving) - Nov. 22

Animal Planet

AKC National Championship Dog Show  (dog show with hosts Mario Lopez and Shawn Johnson) - Jan. 1

POP

Schitt's Creek Holiday Special (special one-off holiday episode of the series starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara) - Dec. 19

Bravo

WWHL: O Come OG Faithful (Watch What Happens Live holiday episode featuring original Housewives Vicki Gunvalson, NeNe Leakes, Ramona Singer, Bethenny Frankel, Teresa Giudice and Kyle Richards to deck the halls and spill some tea ) - Dec. 20

TruTV

Impractical Jokers: Staten Island Holiday Spectacular and After Party (starring Joe Gatto, James "Murr" Murray, Brian "Q" Quinn and Sal Vulcano, a two-hour special taped live at Staten Island's St.George Theater, benefiting Toys for Tots) - Dec. 6

HGTV

House Hunters: Home for the Holidays (limited-run series featuring Christmas-loving home buyers looking for a new home to spend the holidays in) - weekly starting Nov. 27

White House Christmas 2018 (look at the decorations and design that adorn the White House for the holidays) - Dec. 9

HGTV Dream Home 2019 (look at the latest HGTV Dream Home which will be given away in a sweepstakes, in Whitefish, Montana) - Jan. 1

BBC America

Dr. Who: Who Year’s Day (stand alone episode of the long-running series, currently starring Jodie Whittaker; As the New Year begins the Doctor must save planet Earth from a terrifying evil.) - Jan. 1

BBC One

Zog (animated special based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, starring Tracey Ullman and Kit Harington) - Dec. 25 UK (US airdate TBA)

RTEjr

Hopscotch and the Christmas Tree (original animated special, based on the book of the same title) - Dec. 24, Ireland (US airdate TBA) (Trailer)

Discovery Family

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic “Best Gift Ever” (the pony friends are on an adventure to find the best gift ever for each of them ) - Oct. 27 (Trailer)

Oxygen

Homocide for the Holidays (season three of the true crime series that features Christmas crimes) - weekly starting Dec. 9

CMT

Dolly & Friends: Making of a Soundtrack (documentary special on the making of Dolly Parton’s latest album, the soundtrack for the movie Dumplin’) - Nov. 29

Get TV

The Soul and Spirit of Christmas (original music special featuring CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, Koryn Hawthorn and Take 6) - Nov. 23

Me TV 

Pastor Greg’s Reboot: Hope for Christmas (Christmas movie shot in upstate New York, a reboot of the 2004 film starring Kevin Sizemore; a veteran turned pastor get stuck in an elevator with non-believers at the holidays ) - Dec. 2 on WBBZ (all others check local listings, airdate may vary and may not be available on all affiliates)

Hulu

Into the Dark: Flesh & Blood (Blumhouse-produced horror anthology with each monthly movie taking place on a different holiday; On Thanksgiving, teenager Kimberly tries to move on from her mom’s unsolved murder to cure her agoraphobia, but begins to suspect she’s in danger from her seemingly doting father.) -  Nov. 7

Pixi Saves Christmas (2018 animated special from Spain) - Dec. 1

Into the Dark: Pooka (Blumhouse-produced horror anthology with each episode taking place on a different holiday; When a struggling actor agrees to dress up as a cartoon character at the holidays, he finds himself developing a distinctly different personality when he’s wearing the suit. ) -  Dec. 7

Into the Dark: New Year, New You (Blumhose produced horror anthology with each episode taking place on a different holiday; As an Instagram “influencer” looks to make her mark outside social media, a New Year’s weekend with her girl group turns dark) - available now 

A Very Terry Christmas: Get Cozy With Terry Crews (Terry Crews paints a Christmas tree in front of a fire) - available now

Netflix

The Land of Steady Habits (dark comedy/drama starring Connie Britton, Charlie Tahan, Ben Mendelsohn and Edie Falco; Sick of his job in finance a man leaves his wife and Westport, Conn. enclave in search of a more “real” life at the holidays) - available now (Trailer)

Christmas with a View (holiday movie starring Vivica A Fox, Kaitlyn Leeb, Patrick Duffy and Scott Cavalheiro; a fancy new head chef makes a splash at a ski resort, but not everyone is excited about his arrival; based on a Harlequin novel) - available now (Trailer)

The Holiday Calendar (original holiday movie starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown and Ron Cephas Jones, about a magical advent calendar that seems to predict the future) - Nov. 2 (Trailer) **Review**

The Princess Switch (original holiday movie; Christmas-set take on The Prince and the Pauper, starring Vanessa Hudgens and Sam Palladino) - Nov. 16 (Trailer) ***Review***

Puppy Star Christmas (children’s holiday film in the continuing Pup Stars franchise, starring David DeLuise, Makenzie Moss and Denisse Ojeda; the just-married dogs are spending their first Christmas with their new pups and planning a very special Christmas treat.)  - Nov. 20 (Trailer) (NOTE: also available via DVD on Nov. 22)

The Christmas Chronicles (original movie produced by Chris Columbus, starring Kurt Russell, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Judah Lewis; family holiday comedy about two brothers who, while trying to prove if Santa is real, crash his sleigh in Chicago, and must get the big guy back on track or Christmas is cancelled) - Nov. 22 (Trailer) ***Review***

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic “Best Gift Ever” (the pony friends are on an adventure to find the best gift ever for each of them) - Nov. 25  (Trailer)

Angela’s Christmas (animated special based on the children’s book by Frank McCourt) - Nov. 30 (Trailer) **Review**

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (original holiday movie; wedding-themed sequel to 2017′s A Christmas Prince, starring Ben Lamb and Rose McIver) - Nov. 30 (Teaser, Trailer)

Great British Baking Show: Holidays (two-episode Christmas special of The Great British Bake Off, which aired in the UK in 2016, but has never been seen before in the U.S.) - Nov. 30 ***Review***

Natale A Cinque Stelle (a.k.a. Five Star Christmas; Italian Christmas comedy starring Massimo Gini; when the Italian P.M. secretly meets up with his mistress during a Budapest Christmas trip, things quickly go awry.) - Dec. 7 (Trailer)

Free Rein: The Twelve Neighs of Christmas (original special one-off holiday episode of the teen series; Bright Fields prepares for its Mistletoe Ball) - Dec. 7

Nailed It! Holiday! (original one-off, holiday baking-themed special episode of the series) - Dec. 7 (Trailer) *Review*

Super Monsters and the Wish Star (original animated special based on the series) - Dec. 7

Neo Yokio Pink Christmas (original animated special created by Ezra Koenig and starring Jaden Smith and Jamie Foxx) - Dec. 7 (Twitter preview, Trailer)

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: A Midwinter’s Tale (original special holiday stand-alone episode of the series featuring Sabrina and her coven telling ghost stories around the fire for the Winter Solistice) - Dec. 13 (Trailer)

Prince of Peoria: A Christmas Moose Miracle (original special holiday one-off episode of the tween series; A snowstorm threatens the Festival of Lights) - Dec. 14

Aggretsuko: We Wish You a Metal Christmas (original holiday special of the Japanese anime-style series) - Dec. 20 (Trailer)

Watership Down (original animated mini-series of the classic Richard Adams novel, featuring the voices of James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Ben Kingsley and John Boyega; a BBC co-production) - Dec. 25

Netflix New Year’s Eve Countdowns (19, new, original countdowns based on kids and tween Netflix shows that can be watched anytime. New countdowns based on: Alexa and Katie, Prince of Peoria, Pinky Malinky, Motown Magic, Larva Island, Beat Bugs, Skylanders Academy, Super Monsters, True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Tales of Arcadia, All Hail King Julien, Boss Baby, Spirit Riding Free and Fuller House) - Dec. 26 (Trailer)

Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour (original concert film featuring the last stop of Swift’s latest tour) - Dec. 31 (Trailer)

Amazon Prime

Bigfoot (animated movie directed be Evan Tramel; An evil Yeti steals Santa’s naughty list and uses it to banish Santa from the North Pole) - available now

Clara’s Ultimate Christmas (family movie where a young vlogger documents her “ultimate Christmas” but everything goes awry when her dad has to leave for a business trip and her dog runs away right before Christmas Eve) - available now (Trailer)

Crawford the Cat’s Christmas (animated special aimed at preschoolers, directed by Russ Harris) - available now (Trailer)

Dead by Christmas (holiday slasher film starring Holly Bonney; Reunited for the holidays, a group of friends raised together in a troubled Louisiana orphanage are stalked by a killer from Christmas past) - available now (Trailer)

Discarding Santa (”found footage” mockumentary about a Kentucky town that outlawed Santa) - available now (Trailer)

Madness Farewell (black comedy about a suicidal comedian in Los Angeles who, unable to do the deed herself, hires a hit man; starring Charlene DeGuzman ) - available now (Trailer)

A Raunchy Christmas Story (very R-rated “comedy” in the Cinemax-after-dark vein) - available now

Straight no Chaser: Live in New York Holiday Edition (a cappella group’s Christmas concert, filmed live in New York City) - available now

A Unicorn Christmas (animated special featuring the voices of Alicia Condrey, Aisha Ricketts and Yasmin Palmer) - available now

Pete the Cat: A Very Groovy Christmas (animated holiday special, based on the book series; Pete and the gang try to find the Christmas Cat to get cool gifts) - Nov. 20 (Trailer)

Arty’s Holiday Masterpiece (animated holiday special, based on the Creative Galaxy series; Arty makes a Christmas ornament for his family, but it comes to life and runs away) - Nov. 20

Max’s Christmas (animated special based on the Max and Ruby storybook) - Dec. 1

YouTube

Ken Jeong Cracks Christmas (original special featuring the comedian and celebrity friends on the ultimate quest to uncover the pop-culture myths behind the world's most celebrated holiday.) - Dec. 12 on the Buzzfeed YouTube Channel (Trailer)

Nick Offerman’s Yule Log (Nick Offerman silently drinks whisky in front a fire) - available now on Lagavulin’s My Whisky Official YouTube Channel (age restricted due to depiction of alcohol); Ten Hour Version

A Very Terry Christmas: Get Cozy With Terry Crews (Terry Crews paints a Christmas tree in front of a fire) - available now on America’s Got Talent YouTube Channel

MUSEO (Spanish language movie starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Leonardo Ortizgris and Alfredo Castro; the true story of small-time, seemingly inept crooks who stole priceless Mayan artifacts from Mexico's National Anthropology Museum on Christmas Eve 1985) - TBA (Trailer)

Holiday Spectacular (family movie from Brat Studios, starring Annie LeBlanc and Mackenzie Ziegler; the story of an estranged family that is brought back together for the holiday season at the mall) - Dec. 21 on the Brat YouTube channel (Trailer)

Sony Crackle

A Prayer for Mr. T: The SuperMansion Thanksgiving Special (adult, stop-motion animation special holiday episode of the streaming series, featuring the voices of Chris Pine and Bryan Cranston; The annual Thanksgiving turkey competition between Titanium Rex and Dr. Devizo goes awry when Rex’s turkey transforms into a nightmarish bird monster.) - Nov. 15

Britbox

Upstart Crow Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the special Christmas episode of the series) - Dec. 7

Would I Lie to You Christmas Specials (U.S. premieres of the special Christmas episode of the game show) - Dec. 7

QI Christmas Specials (U.S. premiere of the special Christmas episodes of the game show) - Dec. 7

The Snow Queen (U.S. premiere of the 2005 BBC animated movie based on the classic tale, starring Patrick Stewart) - Dec. 7 

Mr. Stink (U.S. premiere of the 2012 BBC movie starring Hugh Bonneville, based on the popular children’s book) - Dec. 7

Mary Berry’s Absolute Favorites (holiday special featuring The Great British Bake Off’s Mary Berry) - Dec. 12

Clash of the Santas (US debut of the 2008 BBC movie) - Dec. 15

The Lights Before Christmas: Luminous London (Britbox original, “slow TV” holiday-themed special) - Dec. 19

Swingin’ Christmas (Michael Parkinson presents the John Wilson Orchestra with special guests, including Seth McFarlane) - Dec. 22

Hold the Sunset Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the special Christmas episode of the series) - Dec. 23

Mock the Week Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 special Christmas episode of the comedy news show) - Dec. 24

Click & Collect (2018 BBC movie starring Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry as neighbors making a cross country journey to get the perfect toy for Christmas) - Dec. 24

Carols from Kings (LIVE coverage of the celebration of Christmas from The Chapel of King’s College Cambridge) - Dec. 24

The Queen’s Christmas Message 2018 (annual holiday message delivered by Queen Elizabeth II to her subjects via the BBC) - Dec. 25

Emmerdale Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the British soap) - Dec. 25

Casualty Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the British soap) - Dec. 25

Holby City Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the British soap) - Dec. 25

EastEnders Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the long-running British soap) - Dec. 25

Coronation Street Christmas Special (U.S. premiere of the 2018 Christmas episode of the long-running British soap) - Dec. 25

The Last Leg New Year’s Special, LIVE (aired at same time as in UK) - Jan. 1

Shudder

The Dinners of Death (Joe Bob Briggs Thanksgiving meal-themed marathon which he calls, “the best deadly-dinner movies in history”) - Nov. 22

A Very Joe Bob Christmas (Job Bob Briggs-hosted Christmas horror movie marathon) - Dec. 21

Funny or Die

The 2019 Rose Parade Hosted by Cord and Tish (Live coverage of the Rose Parade with commentary by Cord Hosenbeck and Tish Cattigan, a.k.a. Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon) - Jan. 1

On Demand/Digital/DVD

Sick for Toys (horror movie starring Camille Montgomery, Jon Paul Burkhart and Justin Xavier; Sad sack nice guy accepts a Christmas dinner invitation from a beautiful woman only to find out she and her brother are not what they seem) - Sep 4 (Twitter, Trailer)

Battle of the Bulge: Wunderland (war movie starring Steven Luke, Tom Berenger and Mikeal Burgin; true story of the Christmas 1944 battle that was amongst the WWII’s deadliest offensives, available via digital and DVD) - Oct 2 (Trailer)

The Least of These: A Christmas Story (starring Tayla Lynn and Emma Faith; a homeless single mother is befriended by a feisty waitress and a store Santa in this tale of holiday love and forgiveness, shot on location in Fayetteville, Ark.; available via digital and DVD) - Oct. 22 (Trailer) 

Christmas Break-In (A blizzard strands nine-year-old at school at the start of Christmas break. When bad guys kidnap the school janitor, it’s up to the kid to save him; starring Danny Glover, Denise Richards and Cameron Seely, filmed on location in Minnesota; available via DVD) - Nov. 1 (interview)

A Christmas Village (A cynical cookbook author facing a scandal helps a single father reinvigorate his struggling Christmas theme park in hopes of getting some good PR; starring Madeline Leon and Neil Paterson; available via iTunes) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Best Thanksgiving Ever (starring Jay Seals, Eric Roberts and Heather Adair; Raunchy Thanksgiving-themed sex comedy supposedly based on a true holiday; this one has been floating around festival circuit for a while, but this is first time it’s widely avaiable via iTunes) - Nov. 6, Rated R (Redband Trailer)

Christmas Manger (movie starring Andrea Logan White, Steve Young and Tara Reid; A widower and his estranged foster daughter are forced to spend the holidays together after an injury leaves him unable to live alone. Can faith reunite them?; Available via DVD) - Nov. 6

Lez Bomb (movie written by and starring Jenna Laurenzo, with Kevin Pollack, Bruce Dern, Cloris Leachman and Steve Guttenberg; comedy about a lesbian determined to come out to her quirky family over Thanksgiving, but a series of mishaps may foil her plans; available via digital and blu-ray) - Nov. 9 (digital) / Jan. 8 (blu-ray) (Trailer)

Mrs. Claus (holiday horror slasher film starring Brinke Stevens, Helene Udy and Kaylee Williams) - Nov. 13 (Trailer)

A Christmas Carol (Scottish version of the classic tale, where Scrooge is a billionaire obsessed with profits, starring Stuart Brennan; available on iTunes) - Nov. 16 (Trailer)

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer (starring Josh Hutcherson, Morena Baccarin, John Cleese, Samantha Bee and Martin Short; international animated film about a miniature horse who dreams of being one of Santa’s reindeer; available via digital) - Dec. 1, Rated PG (Trailer, Twitter) ****Review****

Holly Star (written, directed and starring Michael Nickles, with Katlyn Carlson and Brian Muller; A broke puppeteer returns home for the holidays and gets caught up in a treasure hunt with her paintball-obsessed best friend, her tango-dancing grandmother and a childhood sweetheart. Shot on location in Portland, Maine; available via DVD/digital) - Dec. 4, Rated PG (Trailer)

All the Creatures Were Stirring (holiday horror movie starring Constance Wu, Amanda Fuller and Jonathan Kite; a couple wander into a movie theatre on a Christmas Eve date to be greeted by a series of bizarre holiday tales of woe; available via digital and DVD) - Dec. 4 (digital) / Dec. 7 (DVD) (Trailer)

Smallfoot (starring Channing Tatum, Zendaya, Gina Rodriguez, James Corden and Danny Devito; animated Yeti adventure where the mythical beasts discover humans actually exist; available via DVD and digital) - Dec. 4 (digital) /Dec. 11 (DVD/blu-ray), rated PG (Trailer, Website, Twitter) ****Review****

I’ll Be Next Door for Christmas (crowd-funded movie starring Nicole Sullivan, Atticus Shaffer, Juliette Angelo and Kirrilee Berger; 16-year-old embarrassed by her Christmas-crazy family, tries to trick her long distance boyfriend by hosting a calmer Christmas celebration in the empty house next door; available via digital) - Dec. 4, Rated PG (Website, Trailer, Clip)

Little Women (modern-set take on the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, starring Lea Thompson; available via DVD and digital) - Dec. 18, rated PG-13 (Trailer)

[the-ex-masterminds]

Lacey turned back and came face to face with a man with a large blade. She paled but tried to hide her growing helplessness. Just before the man could take a step toward them a body collided with his and he hit the floor.

There stood over the man's body, claws digging into his neck, and covered in blood was Ashlin. She turned her attention to them and Lacey froze, unsure on what to do. Everything screamed at her to stay in front of the children but despite that she moved, Ashlins gaze automatically moving to them.

Her eyes softened and she let out a noise that couldn't quite be called a purr or a growl. She stepped forward and Lacey made no move to stop her, she knew better.

[norikateatro]

Norikateatro’s Bootleg list! 💙

As of: February 16th, 2018 😄! Please message me if you want a bootleg! Do not comment *If you want to trade with me that’ll be really cool!

Miss Saigon Manila: December 24th, 2000 Full Show Cast: Lea Salonga (Kim) , Will Chase (Chris) , Leo Tavarro Valdez (Engineer), Ron K. Smith, Lisa Capps (Ellen), Robert Seña (They), Isay Alvarez (Gigi)

Miss Saigon London 5/19/14 Highlights (Tanya Manalang as Kim) Cast: Tanya Manalang, Alistair Brammer, Jon Jon Briones Highlights include: Kim's Nightmare - The Fall Of Saigon - Sun and Moon (Partial), Sun And Moon (Reprise), Movie In My Mind, The American Dream, Maybe, I Still Believe, The Last Night Of The World - Morning Of The Dragon (Partial), Why God Why. Musicalmania123's master.  

Miss Saigon 5/13/17 Lianah Sta. Ana as Kim Lianah Sta. Ana (alt. Kim), Jon Jon Briones (The Engineer), Alistair Brammer (Chris), Katie Rose Clarke (Ellen), Nicholas Christopher (John), Devin Ilaw (Thuy), Rachelle Ann Go (Gigi)

Matilda: Broadway March 6th, 2013

Cast: Oona Laurence, Bertie Carvel, Gabriel Ebert, Lesli Margherita, Lauren Ward, Karen Aldridge, Jack Broderick, Frenie Acoba ​

Aladdin (OBC) 

Anastasia: Broadway June 28, 2017

Cast: Christy Altomare, Derek Klena, John Bolton, Ramin Karimloo, Caroline O'Connor, Mary Beth Peil.

Beauty and The Beast:  Broadway- April 28th, 2002

Cast: Sarah Litzsinger as Belle, Steve Blanchard as Beast, Bryan Batt as Lumiere, and Beth Fowler as Mrs. Potts, and Nicholas Jonas as Chip

Chicago US tour: November 23th,  2005  Chicago, IL 

Cast: Paige Davis, Brenda Braxton, Tom Wopat, Carol Woods

Chicago: Broadway September 18th, 2002 Cast: Michael C Hall (Billy), Amy Spanger (Roxie), Stephanie Pope (Velma), Rob Bartlett (Amos), Roz Ryan (Mama), R Bean (Mary Sunshine). 

Cats- UK tour, Wolverhampton 30 March 2013 full show Cast: Joanna Ampil (Grizabella) Katie Warsop (Rumpleteazer) Clare Rickard (Jellylorum) Melissa James (Bombalurina) Lily Fraser (Demeter) Alice Redmond (Jennyanydots) Alicia Beck (Victoria/White Cat) Dawn Williams (Jemima) Nicholas Pound (Old Deutoronomy) Ben Palmer (Munkustrap) Oliver Savile (Rum Tum Tugger) Joseph Poulton (Quazo/Mistoffelees) Paul F Monaghan (Asparagus/Bustopher Jones/Growl Tiger:) Barnaby Thompson (Mungojerrie) Ross Finnie (Skimbleshanks) Jessica Buckby (Cassandra) Lizzi Franklin (Tantomile) Joal Morris (Carbucketty) Richard Astbury (Coricopat) Cameron Ball (Admetus/Macavity) James Darch (Alonzo) and Will Lucas (Bill Bailey).

Cats Broadway: July 2016 VOB (no small)

Cast: Leona Lewis (Grizabella), Tyler Hanes (Rum Tum Tugger), Ricky Ubeda (Mistoffelees), Quentin Earl Darrington (Old Deuteronomy), Eloise Kropp (Jennyanydots), Giuseppe Bausilio (Carbucketty), Jeremy Davis (Skimbleshanks), Kim Faure (Demeter), Sara Jean Ford (Jellylorum), Lili Froehlich (Electra), Daniel Gaymon (Macavity), Shonica Gooden (Rumpleteazer), Christopher Gurr (Gus/Bustopher Jones), Andy Huntington Jones (Munkustrap), Kolton Krouse (Tumblebrutus), Jess Le Protto (Mungojerrie), Georgina Pazcougin (Victoria), Emily Pynenburg (Cassandra), Arianna Rosario (SIllabub), Ahmad Smmons (Alonzo), Christine Cornish Smith (Bombalurina), Corey Snide (Coricopat), Emily Tate (Tantomile), Sharrod Wiliams (Pouncival)

Come Far Away (OBC)

Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway) Cast: Ben Platt, Laura Dreyfuss, Will Roland, Kristolyn Lloyd, Mike Faist, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Park, Jennifer Laura Thompson (OBC)

Cinderella:  Broadway August 21, 2014  Cast: Paige Faure (Cinderella), Joe Caroll (Prince Topher), Victoria Clark (Crazy Marie/Fairy Godmother), Nancy Opel (Madame), Stephanie Gibson (Gabrielle), Ann Harada (Charlotte), Todd Buonopane (Jean-Michel), Branch Woodman (u/s Lord Pinkleton), Peter Bartlett (Sebastian), Andy Mills (Footman), Michael Callahan (Driver), Jill Abramovitz (Lady of Ridicule) 

Falsettos Broadway: October 28th, 2016 Cast: Christian Borle (Marvin), Andrew Rannells (Whizzer), Stephanie J. Block (Trina), Brandon Uranowitz (Mendel), Anthony Rosenthal (Jason), Tracie Thoms (Charlotte), Betsy Wolfe (Cordelia) 

Follies: Broadway  September 18, 2011

Cast: Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Rod Raines, Elaine Paige, Jayne Houdyshell, Rosalind Elias, Susan Watson, Terri White, Florence Lacey, Mary Beth Peil, Don Correia, Brian Shepard as (u/s) Young Ben, Christian Delcroix, Kirsten Scott, Lora Lee Gayer.

Finding Neverland (OBC)

Wicked Broadway:  Preview October 12th, 2003 Original Broadway Cast

Cast: Idina Menzel (Elphaba), Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda), Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero), Carole Shelley (Madame Morrible), Joel Grey (The Wizard) Michelle Federer (Nessarose), Christopher Fitzgerald (Boq), William Youmans (Dr. Dillamond)

Wicked Chicago:  July 1, 2005- Cast: Ana Gasteyer (Elphaba), Kate Reinders (Glinda), Kristoffer Cusick (Fiyero), Gene Weygandt (The Wizard), Steven Skybell (Doctor Dillamond), Rondi Reed (Madame Morrible), Heidi Kettenring Nessarose), Telly Leung (Boq)

Wicked (Broadway): January 8, 2006

Cast: Shoshana Bean (Elphaba), Megan Hilty (Glinda), David Ayers (Fiyero), Rue McClanahan (Madame Morrible), Ben Vereen (The Wizard), Michelle Federer (Nessarose), Rob Sapp (Boq), Sean McCourt (Dr. Dillamond).

  notes: Shoshanna's, David's, Rue's and Michelle's last performances. Camera wanders at points due to the master's blind filming.

Wicked (Broadway):  May 28, 2006) (Megan’s Last)

  cast: Eden Espinosa (Elphaba), Megan Hilty (Glinda), David Garrison (The Wizard), Derrick Williams (Fiyero), Carol Kane (Madame Morrible), Jenna Leigh Green (Nessarose), Rob Sapp (Boq), David McCourt (Dr. Dillamond)

   Wicked First National Tour PROSHOT May 2006 - Victoria Matlock (s/b Elphaba), Kendra Kassebaum, Nicolas Dromard (u/s Fiyero), Jennifer Waldman (Nessarose), Alma Cuervo (Morrible), PJ Benjamin (The Wizard)

*Proshot from one camera at the back of the house. Sound is patched in from the soundboard and is incredibly clear. Some washout, but amazing to see the set and choreo like this.

Wicked Broadway: July 17th, 2008 Cast: Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda), David Burnham (Fiyero), Cristy Candler (Nessarose), Ben Liebert (Boq), Lenny Wolpe (The Wizard), Jayne Houdyshell (Madame Morrible), Steven Skybell (Dr. Dillamond) Notes: Kerry’s first on Broadway

Wicked 1st National Tour: March 4, 2007    Baltimore, Maryland

Cast: Victoria Matlock (Elphaba), Christina DeCicco (Glinda), Cliffton Hall (Fiyero), Deedee Magno Hall (Nessarose), Barbara Tirrell (Morrible), P.J. Benjamin (Wizard), Josh Lamon (Boq), Tom Flynn (Dillamond),Paul Slade Smith as Witch’s Father/Frex

Lori Homles as Witch’s Mother/Melena Leslie Becker as Midwife/ Nanny

Wicked Broadway: October 9, 2007 (mp4) Stephanie J. Block (Elphaba), Annaleigh Ashford (Glinda), Sebastian Arcelus (Fiyero), Kathy Santen (Morrible), Lenny Wolpe (Wizard), Logan Lipton (Boq), Cristy Candler (Nessarose), Steven Skybell (Dillamond)

Wicked Broadway: July 17th, 2008 Cast: Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Kendra Kassebaum (Glinda), David Burnham (Fiyero), Cristy Candler (Nessarose), Ben Liebert (Boq), Lenny Wolpe (The Wizard), Jayne Houdyshell (Madame Morrible), Steven Skybell (Dr. Dillamond) Notes: Kerry’s first on Broadway

Wicked Broadway: February 1, 2015

Cast: Lilli Cooper (s/b Elphaba), Kara Lindsay (Glinda), Jerad Bortz (u/s Fiyero), Brian Munn (u/s The Wizard), Kathy Fitzgerald (Madame Morrible), Catherine Charlebois (Nessarose), Robin De Jesus (Boq).

Wicked: Singapore April 22nd, 2012

Cast-  Zoe Jarrett (understudy Elphaba), Suzie Mathers (Glinda), David Harris (Fiyero), Anne Wood (Madame Morrible), Elisa Colla (Nessarose), James D Smith (Boq), Glen Hogstrom (u/s The Wizard)

Wicked Korea (Date: November 2013 )

Cast: Oak Joo Hyun (Elphaba), Jeong Sun Ah (Glinda), Lee Ji Hoon (Fiyero), Nam Kyoung Joo (The Wizard), Cho Jung Keun (Doctor Dillamond), Kim Young Joo (Madame Morrible), Lee Yea Eun (Nessarose), Kim Dong Hyun (Boq) 

Wicked First National Tour: February 24th, 2013

Cast: Dee Roscioli (Elphaba), Cassie Okenka (u/s Glinda), Cliffton Hall (Fiyero), Tom McGowan (The Wizard), Kim Zimmer (Madame Morrible), Demeree Hill (Nessarose), Justin Brill (Boq), Clifton Davis (Dillamond) 

Wicked  2nd National Tour (Madison, WI): May 28, 2013    Cast: Jennifer DiNoia (Elphaba), Hayley Podschun (Glinda), David Nathan Perlow (Fiyero), Walker Jones (The Wizard), Gina Ferrall (Madame Morrible), Zarah Mahler (Nessarose), Michael Wartella (Boq), Jay Russell (Doctor Dillamond).

  An absolutely beautiful HD capture with no obstructions. Jennifer is wonderful as Elphaba.

Wicked West End:  25th October 2014 Evening | Cast Change Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda)  *Final performance of Kerry Ellis, Sue Kelvin, Paul Clarkson and many ensemble members.

Wicked  West End: October 27th, 2014 Cast: Jennifer DiNoia (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (G(a)linda) Jeremy Taylor (Fiyero), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Martyn Ellis (The Wizard), Katie Rowley-Jones (Nessarose), Sam Lupton (Boq), Philip Childs (Dr. Dillamond)

Wicked Mexico: November 18th 2014

Cast: Ana Cecilia Anzaldúa, Crisanta Gómez (s/b), Jorge Lau, Anahí Allué, Paco Morales, Adam Sadwing, Beto Torres. Notes: Highlights include "No One Mourns the Wicked", "Dear Old Shiz", the Room Assignment scene from Let Her GO! to "What Is This Feeling?", "Popular", "Defying Gravity", "Thank Goodness", "No Good Deed" and "For Good". 

Wicked  2nd National Tour: 10/29/15 Cast: Mary Kate Morrissey (s/b Elphaba), Carrie St. Louis (Glinda), Jake Boyd (Fiyero), Liana Hunt (Nessarose), Wendy Worthington (Madame Morrible), Stuart Zagnit (The Wizard). Lee Slobotikin (Boq), Chad Jennings (Dr. Dillamond)

Wicked 2nd National Tour: November 6th, 2017

Cast: Jessica Vosk (Elphaba), Allison Bailey (u/s Glinda), Jeremy Woodard (Fiyero), Kristen Martin (Nessarose), Sam Sefarian (Boq), Chad Jennings (Doctor Dillamond), Stuart Zagnit (The Wizard), Wendy Worthington (Madame Morrible). 

Wicked 2nd National Tour September 24th, 2017 Cincinnati, Ohio  Jessica Vosk (Elphaba), Ginna Claire Mason (Glinda), Jon Robert Hall (Fiyero), Isabel Keating (Madame Morrible), Tom McGowan (The Wizard), Sam Seferian (Boq), Catherine Charlebois (Nessarose), Harry Bouvy (Dr. Dillamond)​ Notes: Jessica Vosk's final show.

Wicked Broadway:  June 21, 2016  

Cast: Rachel Tucker (Elphaba), Ginna Claire Mason (s/b Glinda), Jonah Platt (Fiyero), Peter Scolari (The Wizard), Judy Kaye (Madame Morrible), Dawn Cantwell (Nessarose), Zachary Noah Piser (Boq), Michael Genet (Doctor Dillamond).

Wicked San Francisco: September 5, 2010 (Last Show)

Marcie Dodd (Elphaba) Alli Mauzey (Glinda) Clifton C. Hall (Fiyero) Jody Gelb (Madame Morrible) Tom McGowan (The Wizard) DeeDee Magno Hall (Nessarose) Etai Benshlomo (Boq)

Wicked 1st National Tour: December 12, 2007; St. Louis, MO. Carmen Cusack  (Elphaba), Katie Rose Clarke (Glinda), Cliffton Hall (Fiyero), Alma Cuervo (Madame Morrible), Lee Wilkof (The Wizard), Deedee Magno Hall (Nessarose), Brad Weinstock (Boq), Tom Flynn (Dr. Dillamond)

Wicked UK/International Tour April 15th, 2017 Jodie Steele (alt. Elphaba), Carly Anderson (Glinda), Bradley Jaden (Fiyero), Kim Ismay (Mme. Morrible), Steven Pinder (Dr. Dillamond/Wizard), Emily Shaw (Nessarose), Iddon Jones (Boq) 

Wicked: Broadway August 11th, 2017

Cast: Jackie Burns (Elphaba), Amanda Jane Cooper (Glinda), Rondi Reed (Madame Morrible), PJ Benjamin (The Wizard), Ashley Parker Angel (Fiyero), Kristen Martin (Nessarose), Jye Frasca (Boq) Notes: Excellent HD capture of Jackie's return to the role, captured from the Orchestra.

Waitress (Broadway) − June 14, 2016: Jessie Mueller (Jenna), Keala Settle (Becky), Kimiko Glenn (Dawn), Drew Gehling (Dr Pomatter), Nick Cordero (Earl), Dakin Matthews (Joe), Eric Anderson (Cal), Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie) (OBC)

Waitress ( Broadway) April, 2017 Cast: Sara Bareilles, Charity Angel Dawson, Molly Jobe as (u/s) Dawn, Chris Diamantopoulos, Will Swenson, Dakin Matthews, Eric Anderson, Christopher Fitzgerald 

El Hombre de La Mancha: Santiago, Chile Teatro Munipal:: 1974

Cast: Frankie Bravo, Jose del Campo, Omar Galarcé, Fernando Gallardo, Mary Hernandez, José Maria Langlais, Valentina Martinez, Alicia Quiroga, Carlos Trujillo

El Hombre de La Mancha: Madrid, Teatro Lope de Vega de Madrid

Cast: David V Muro (Cervantes / Quixote) The rest of the cast is unknown

Legally Blonde: Broadway (MTV Filmed) September 9th, 2007

Cast-Laura Bell Bundy, Christian Borle, Orfeh, Michael Rupert, Kate Shindle, Nikki Snelson, Richard H. Blake

Mary Poppins- US tour February 15 2013 Full Show Cast: Con O'Shea-Creal (Bert), Madeline Trumble (Mary Poppins), Madison Ann Mullahey (Jane Banks), Eli Tokash (Michael Banks), Chris K. Hoch (George Banks), Kerry Conte (Winifred Banks)

Man of La Mancha - Cast: Joan Diener as Aldonza (Dulcinea); Richard Kiley as Don Quixote (Cervantes); Dianne Barton as Antonia; Lee Bergere as Dr. Carrasco; Renato Cibelli as Captain of the Inquisition; Jack Dabdoub as The Innkeeper; Edmond Verrato as Sancho Panza (U/S); Eleanore Knapp as The Housekeeper; Robert Rounseville as The Padre; Ted Forlow as The Barber/The Horse (U/S); John Aristides as Juan; Robert Cromwell as Guard/Man of The Inquisition; Fernando Grahal as Tenorio/Dancing Horse; Laura Kenyon as Fermina; Jeff Killion as Man of The Inquisition/Guard; Hector Mercado as Dancing Horse/Jose; Rita Metzger as Maria; Shev Rodgers as The Horse/Pedro; Bill Stanton as Paco; David Wasson as Man of The Inquisition/Guard. 

Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 (Broadway) − October 29, 2016: Josh Groban, Denee Benton, Brittain Ashford, Nicholas Belton, Lucas Steele, Gelsey Bell, Nick Choksi, Amber Gray

Hamilton Broadway August 13th, 2016 - Javier Munoz (Alexander Hamilton), Lexi Lawson (Eliza Hamilton), Sydney James Harcourt (u/s Aaron Burr), Renee Elise Goldsberry ( Angelica Schuyler), Christopher Jackson (George Washington), Andrew Chappelle (u/s Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Ephraim Sykes (u/s Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds), Rory O’Malley (King George), Roddy Kennedy (u/s Philip Schuyler/James Reynolds/Doctor), Thayne Jasperson (Samuel Seabury), Neil Haskell (Charles Lee), David Guzman (u/s George Eacker), Ensemble: Carleigh Bettiol, Hope Easterbrook, Karla Puno Garcia, Gregory Haney, Sasha Hollinger, Seth Stewart, Kamille Upshaw​

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: April 1st, 2017

Heathers- Concert reading at Joe's Pub - September 14 2010

Annaleigh Ashford (Veronica), Jeremy Jordan (Jason Dean), Jenna Leigh Green (Heather Chandler), Corri English (Heather McNamara), Christine Lakin (Heather Duke), James Snyder (Kurt), PJ Griffith (Ram), Julie Garnye (Martha)

Heather Off Broadway- Cast:  Dan Domenech as JD, Barrett Wilbert Weed as Veronica, and Charissa Hogeland as Heather Chandler

Phantom of the Opera: Broadway (June 21, 2016): James Barbour (Phantom), Ali Ewoldt (Christine), Jordan Donica (Raoul), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), Richard Poole (u/s Monsieur Andre), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Rebecca Eichenberger (Madame Giry), Kara Klein (Meg), John Easterlin (Ubaldo Piangi) 

Spongebob the Musical: Chicago  (Try-Out)

Wants: Anything with Wicked, Cats México or Argentina, Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress, Heathers, The Wizard of Oz, and anything I don’t have!

[laresearchette]

Friday, December 11, 2020 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: WOLFWALKERS (Apple TV+) HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL (Disney +) SAFETY (Disney +)

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT THE CHRISTMAS CAROLER CHALLENGE (CW Feed) CRAFT IN AMERICA (PBS Feed) DISNEY CHANNEL HOLIDAY HOUSE PARTY (Premiering on December 18 on Disney Channel Canada at 7:00pm) INN LOVE BY CHRISTMAS (TBD - Lifetime Canada) MICHAEL KOSTA: DETROIT. NY. LA. ` (TBD)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME/CRAVE/NETFLIX CANADA/CBC GEM:

AMAZON PRIME I’M YOUR WOMAN SMALL AXE: ALEX WHEATLE THE WILDS                

CBC GEM

CALL THE MIDWIFE (Season 1) CLYDESDALE: SAVING THE GREATEST HORSE FOR THE RECORD (Season 1) GREAT BARRIER REEF INDIA’S WILD KARNATAKA SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE WHAT’S WITH THE JEWS?

CRAVE TV FROM PARIS WITH LOVE MIRROR MIRROR SCOOB! THINK LIKE A DOG VALLEY GIRL

NETFLIX CANADA CANVAS GIVING VOICE THE PROM THE MESS YOU LEAVE BEHIND A TRASH TRUCK CHRISTMAS

U.S. LPGA WOMEN’S OPEN (TSN5) 1:00pm: Second Round - Part 1 (TSN5) 3:00pm: Second Round - Part 2

THE ALL-STAR NICKMAS SPECTACULAR (YTV)  6:00pm: Cheering up Christmas with star-studded appearances and musical performances by JoJo Siwa, That Girl Lay Lay, and Ne-Yo, as Lex Lumpkin journeys to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.

NBA BASKETBALL PRE-SEASON (SN1) 7:00pm: Knicks at Pistons (TSN/TSN4 7:00pm: Magic at Hawks (SN) 8:00pm: Rockets at Bulls (TSN/TSN4) 10:00pm: Clippers at Lakers (SN) 10:30: Kings at Trailblazers

THINK LIKE A DOG (Crave) 7:25pm:  A 12-year-old boy develops a telepathic connection with his dog after a middle-school science experiment goes awry.

THE CHRISTMAS CONTRACT (CBC) 8:00pm: A newly single woman dreads the thought of going back to her hometown for Christmas when she discovers her ex-boyfriend will be there with his new girlfriend.

THE CHRISTMAS AUNT (City) 8:00pm:  Rebecca Miller returns to her Tennessee home just before Christmas to take care of her niece and nephew and ends up reconnecting with her childhood best friend.

CHRISTMAS EVER AFTER (CTV Drama) 8:00pm: Sparks fly during Christmastime when a romance novelist meets a handsome man who looks like the leading character in her books.

AMPLIFY (APTN) 8:30pm: After considering the warming winters in Haudenosaunee territory, Oneida songwriter Lacey Hill sets out to write a song that considers the growing challenges of maintaining the tradition of Snow Snake competitions.

EMPIRES OF NEW YORK (CNBC) 9:00pm/10:00pm/11:00pm: At the dawn of the '80s, America finds itself in deep decline; New York seems to symbolize everything that's gone wrong: it's crime-ridden, strapped for cash, dark and dirty. In Episode Two, It's 1983, and the Big Apple is back; Wall Street is booming; yuppies are crowding the clubs. In Episode Three, by the mid '80s, five larger-than-life New Yorkers - Donald Trump, Ivan Boesky, Leona Helmsley, John Gotti, and Rudy Giuliani - are starting to change the way we think about power and success.

LET THEM ALL TALK (Crave) 9:00pm:  A young man finds romance with a literary agent while taking a trip with the woman's famous aunt and her friends.

BACHELOR LIONS (Super Channel Fuse) 9:00pm: Two young men test their friendship when they both fall in love with the same woman

[mercurygray]

Hi Merc, it's Obrohom. I will be so glad when this year is over. I thought I was Barbara but I think I'm Trixie (which is perfectly fine because I like Trixie a lot). I'm having lots of Trixie-esque self-doubts so I wanted to ask for a Call the Midwife or Harlots -drinking at midnight- prompt story if you've got one in mind.

Oh, and a Happy New Year to you, too, Obrohom! This was about the best end- of-year present I could get! I was just thinking about wanting to write just such a scene but was at a loss of who to do it with.

So, because I am missing mine - The Wells Sisters!

Lucy hated New Year’s Eve.

As with most holidays, the house was fair bursting with custom, and as was usual, she was left alone in the sitting room to partake only by listening to the sounds of happy, sated swiving from the floors above. Out in the streets there was a veritable parade of humanity, every man, woman and child in Covent Garden drunk or drinking, ready to welcome the New Year in with every kind of frivolity known to man. In the houses of the lords and ladies in Mayfair and St James’s there would be grand parties and glittering balls and plenty of flip and shrug and syllabub, but rich or poor, a loud party and a drink to warm against the New Year’s cold was the custom of the country.

Everyone having a party - except Lucy Wells.

Her mother had made a bowl of hot rum punch, which all the girls were availing themselves of between customers as it steamed in its great pewter bowl. Lucy dipped her cup in and held it under her nose, the heady waft of the rum spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg making her almost giddy.

“Ma will have your head if she sees you with that.”

Lucy turned towards the door. Charlotte was there, in cloth of silver with spangles in her dark hair, looking almost like a queen but for the loose beauty-mark on her cheek. “Where’s Sir George?”

“In bed, at home, drunk as a sow,” her older sister reported, flinging herself on the couch in a distinctly un-regal manner and looking longingly at the punch bowl. “Didn’t feel like ringing in the New Year like that, so I went out. Pass me some of that punch.”

Lucy passed over the cup she was holding, and her sister rolled her eyes. “Get yourself a cup, Luce, I’m not going to tell Ma. There’s no sense in wasting it.”

She did as she was told, dipping another cup into the punch and pressing it, this time, to her lips, as hot and pungent as the first cup had promised to be. It burned going down her throat, and her sister laughed at her.

“Easy does it, Luce. ‘Tis good luck to start the year lively, but you’ll want to go slow-like.” She raised her own cup in a kind of toast and sipped at it, smiling in appreciation. “They didn’t have any half so fine at Lady Southwold’s,” she reported with relish. “Servants probably swiped half the rum. So, what do you wish for the year ahead?”

“Love.” The word slipped out before she’d even thought about it. It sounded silly and lonely, to say it thus to her sister, but she craved it the way some women craved sweets. Fine gowns and ribbons and shoes she could have, if she but looked at her mother nice enough, but love! That elusive sprite. She’d heard it talked poorly of by every girl in the house, but there was something…tantalizing, about something everyone else promised you’d regret. Maybe it was the novels, but she wanted to taste it, at least once, before being soured to sensibility like all the rest, to laugh and flirt and have someone who made her flutter as they laughed and flirted back. She wanted what Emily Lacey had with her poet - an adoring audience. She wanted to stop being ignored.

Charlotte would laugh at it, she was sure - but Charlotte wasn’t laughing.

“You would wish that, wouldn’t you,” she said with a meditative smile over the rim of her cup. “Well, best do it once and get it over with, Luce, it’s not all it’s cracked to be. You’re young and you’ve got a sweet face. You’ll have boys all over you for certain. Just don’t let them get everything, mind you. You can give plenty without giving that.”

“What’s our Lucy giving the boys?” Kitty asked, coming in from the hall adjusting her stays and tucking a bit of ribbon into her pocket.

“Nothing I shouldn’t,” Lucy said quickly, feeling peevish about the whole business. ”What about you, Char?”

“Ah, I’m past wishing on the midnight chime.”

“But you have to want something.”

“A new gown and a day off would do me,” Kitty said, drinking deep and putting her feet up on the settle, flexing her feet and sighing. “I’m fagged off my feet.”

Her sister considered a minute, taking another sip of her punch. “A rope of south-sea pearls as long as my arm,” she said finally, as if she’d had a large number of equally compelling options and this was the best of the bunch. “A townhouse of my own in SoHo, and no one to bother me in it!”

“A madeira-cake,” Kitty added, closing her eyes and savoring her punch. “And a roast goose.”

They went on in this way a while, Kitty and Charlotte, each woman listing a hundred luxuries she might not even dream of seeing, in this lifetime or the next, while Lucy tried not to frown, and took a sip of her punch instead. But she could not help thinking, as she watched her sister go on, that perhaps Charlotte did not mean exactly as she said, and that even her world-weary sister might wish for something so lowly and scornful as an attention that was not paid for in coin.

[kneesntoess]

Call the Midwife Rewatch 

Series 2 Episode 7

“You’re part of Nonnatus now!” <3

Another mirror scene I’d somehow missed last time 

I’m all for technology and innovation but there’s something about paper and pen organisation that just seems so much better a lot of the time, which is always a thought I have when there’s a shot of the duty blackboard 

“Who the hell are you?” “The bloody sister.” 

This is one of those episodes where I don’t mind Jenny as much

That is suspiciously neat handwriting for a Doctor

“International nun of mystery.” 

Shelagh’s bare feet are making me feel all kinds of things. She looks so tiny in these couple of episodes 

Patrick trying so hard to pretend Trixie isn’t casually and happily shredding his heart into tiny little ribbons with every word. 

“Oh, do give her my regards,” and then immediately fumbling his tea cup. And Trixie’s distinct “... right,” face

I wish we got to see more of Shelagh and Trixie’s friendship, I love the idea of them gossiping, Shelagh sitting primly on the edge of her bed at first and eventually sitting cross legged, passing a cigarette back and forth between them, gossiping. Shelagh slowly coming out of her shell, Trixie’s scandalised giggle and falling back on the bed. 

Cynthia is so brave, even when she’s scared. Especially when she’s scared 

The little note from Tim ;___; Shelagh’s warm, fond smile, and Trixie’s “peculiar boy.” 

“How is - How is everyone?” 

It feels strange to call her Shelagh before this episode, she’s always Sister Bernadette until now

Oh Patrick. “How could I be sad when I’ve got you.” Now there’s a phrase Tim has heard over and over and over again 

Mrs Lacey always makes my heart ache, and I always want to slap her son’s fiance 

Sister Bernadette and Sister Julienne talking - it must have caused her such pain to admit, such bravery. And Sister Julienne, wishing desperately to keep her friend (her daughter, really) close by, but also to give proper advice, not just what she wants. 

Chummy!!! And hugs for Peter too. 

(When Patrick and Shelagh get married, he definitely gets inducted into the rounds of hugs-from-the-nurses and its so disconcerting for a while. Its more affection than he’s had for years) 

The gift giving after Chummy comes back is one of my absolute favourite scenes in the entire show. I wish someone could gif it 

Sister Monica Joan :( 

“Home is not simply a mark upon a map ... It is the place at the centre of the compass, from which ever arrow radiates and where the heart is fixed.” 

“”For where the home is, there lies hope, and a future waits, and everything is possible.” 

I so desperately want to know what Patrick wrote in his letters 

[reviewsbyracine]

I READ A BOOK: “Godshot” by Chelsea Bieker

Who doesn’t love a good cult? In the dusty town of Peaches, California, a congregation is following Pastor Vern, who has promised to bring the residents some much-needed rainfall. Fourteen-year-old Lacey May does not know what Vern’s solution is, but she does know that she is somehow a part of it. When her alcoholic mother flees the cult, Lacey finds herself at a crossroads: one way leads towards an uncertain salvation, while the other way leads towards something more practical.

Chelsea Bieker’s new novel Godshot is an astonishing mix of a community plagued with blind faith and a young woman coming of age. Vern and his congregants are a sorry, sick bunch, and it is upsetting at first to see Lacey so sucked into his warped agenda. She starts to discover the truth when her mother leaves and she moves in with her pious grandmother Cherry, a strange woman who prods Lacey with a cane made with bull penis. She also gets to know a group of women - independent Daisy, her daughter Florin, and midwife Hazel - who knew Lacey’s mother before the cult took over their lives. Through these interactions, as well as some unpleasant ones with devoted congregants, Lacey begins to discover that not all is what Vern makes it to be. 

Godshot moved slowly at first and Bieker’s style of writing could be exhausting. I also thought the story’s “hick” details were a little too cutesy at times. However, by the novel’s end, I was completely hooked and couldn’t wait to see how Lacey found herself out of Vern’s clutches. A coming of age story with a fanatical twist, Godshot was a simmering look into what it meanss to find one’s personal salvation. 

[bgallen]

Friday photos and bread?

Friday photos and bread?

I tend to follow rabbit trails online and one that I took a few months ago comes to mind often. I have been watching all of 8 seasons of Call the Midwife that are on Netflix. In the process of searching something about the show online I found the Global Sisters Report’s website, a project of National Catholic Reporter.

A recent article by one of the sisters, Marilyn Laceytells several stories…