If you’ve delayed your Christmas shopping until this weekend, we understand. Fortunately, you’re probably not alone. But if you need a little stress relief and have the time in this last weekend until Christmas, we have compiled as we usually do in this space, a list of activities should you use to partake. If all you plan to partake in this weekend is some spiked eggnog, well, we hear that you. A toast to all and best wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy holiday season. Here’s what’s happening this weekend.
ON TV
All Times Eastern
Friday, December 21
“Eddie Murphy: One Night Only” at 9 p.m. on Spike
The comedian is honored by his peers in a repeat of the original airing
Saturday, December 22
“Roots”
The entire 12-hour series airs on Saturday on BET. The historic miniseries, originally aired in the 70’s starring Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, Leslie Uggams and more. The series is based on Alex Haley’s book of the same title, which exposed the American public to a dramatization of the horrors of slavery. “Roots” also kicked off an interest in genealogy, which was picked up by the public and revitalized by scholars like Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Sunday, December 23
“Oprah’s Next Chapter” at 9 p.m. on OWN
Jamie Foxx is the subject of this week’s show; he talks about “Django Unchained” and why he’s still a bachelor at 45.
“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” at 7 p.m. on ABC Family
Jim Carrey is the mean guy who doesn’t Christmas in Hooterville in the live-action version of the Dr. Seuss holiday classic.
“Sunday Night Football – 49’ers at Seahawks” at 8:20 p.m.
The NFC West heads into battle, the Niners took the last one.
ONSCREEN
“Monster’s Inc. 3D”
Employees of a scream factory follow a courageous girl named Boo to a different universe
Billy Crystal, John Goodman
G
“Jack Reacher”
Tom Cruise stars as an ex-military man bent on avenging victims of a shooting spree in a film based on the character created by best-selling author Lee Child.
PG-13
“This is 40”
Judd Apatow takes up where “Knocked Up” left off with a married couple trying to add more excitement to their relationship with predictable comic results.
ON SHELVES
“Come to the Table” by Neta Jackson
A young woman must follow the Sprit when she meets obstacles in opening a food pantry. One of those obstacles is her feeling for a pastor who’s also her housemate. (Part of the Souled Out Sisters novel series)
Friday, December 21
TJMS PICK
ADDISON, TX
AddisonImprov
(Through December 23)
Eddie’s big brother heads down to Texas to spread a little holiday humor. The comic came into his own on “The Chapelle Show” with his hilarious true stories of the Murphy brothers’ misadventures in Hollywood. Since then, he’s starred in movies including “Night At The Museum,” “Norbit” “Roll Bounce” and “The Perfect Holiday.” This weekend, he’s live at the Addison Improv with several shows through Sunday night.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Howard Theater
8 p.m.
DURHAM, N.C.
DPAC – Durham Performing Arts Center
8 p.m.
Saturday, December 22
NEW YORK, NY
Gramercy Theatre
7 p.m.
MEMPHIS, TN
Cannon Performing Arts Center
8 p.m.
Sunday, December 23
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Howard Theater
8 p.m.