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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Around the Remote: Henson hosts American Music Awards

Taraji P. Henson attends the Fox All Star party at the Television Critics Association Winter press tour on Jan. 7 in Pasadena, Calif. Henson is hosting the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday.  (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
By Chuck Barney Tribune News Service

DON’T MISS: 2020 American Music Awards – Taraji P. Henson is the host for the annual trophy bash that celebrates the year’s best chart-topping artists as determined by fan votes. Among the night’s performers at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles are Bad Bunny with Jhay Cortez, Billie Eilish, BTS, Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion and Shawn Mendes. Also, Katy Perry returns to the AMA stage to deliver a world premiere broadcast performance of her latest single, “Only Love.” (8 p.m. Sunday, ABC).

Other bets

SUNDAY: “Belushi” is a feature-length documentary that examines the life and legacy of comedic actor John Belushi. The film leans heavily into candid interviews with his collaborators, friends and family, including Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, Penny Marshall, Lorne Michaels, Carrie Fisher, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Jane Curtin, Ivan Reitman and his high school sweetheart and later wife, Judith Belushi- Pisano. (9 p.m., Showtime).

MONDAY: Based on a 1939 novel by Rumer Godden, the three-episode limited series “Black Narcissus” follows a group of young Anglican nuns trying to establish a mission in a remote part of the Himalayas. The site’s haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy. The cast includes Diana Rigg in one of her last roles before her death at age 82 in September. (8 p.m., FX).

MONDAY: The “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” revival series that debuted in 2016 on Netflix gets a four-night re-airing on the show’s original broadcast home. The story begins in the winter as Rory (Alexis Bledel) works through job-related struggles and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) deals with some unresolved issues of her own. (8 p.m., The CW).

TUESDAY: “NCIS” hits a milestone tonight with its 400th episode. Flashbacks reveal the murder case that gave young Gibbs (Sean Harmon) his first brush with NCIS and his introduction to young Ducky (Adam Campbell) – a meeting that would lead to a long-running bond. (8 p.m., CBS).

TUESDAY: Times are tough around the world in 2020, and life in the backwoods of Appalachia is no exception. The outlaw distillers of “Moonshiners” return for another season in which they take bigger risks and ramp up their operations to meet unprecedented demand during the pandemic. (8 p.m., Discovery Channel).

WEDNESDAY: Real-life spouses Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn play Santa and Mrs. Claus in “Christmas Chronicles 2.” A follow-up to 2018’s popular film, the new saga brings Kate (Darby Camp) back to the North Pole when a magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to end Christmas for good. (Netflix).

THURSDAY: Yes, despite the pandemic there still will be a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 94-year tradition continues without street-side spectators and marching bands, but with plenty of ornate floats, humongous balloons and Broadway performers – plus Santa Claus, of course. (9 a.m., NBC; re-airs at 2 p.m.).

FRIDAY: It’s again time to chill out with “Frosty the Snowman” as the jolly, happy soul drops by in his annual holiday special. The program is immediately followed by “Frosty Returns.” (8 p.m., CBS).

FRIDAY: Put all of Whoville on alert: The grumpy, green grouch with a heart two sizes too small returns in the enduring animated classic “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” (8 p.m., NBC)

SATURDAY: It wouldn’t be the holidays without Hallmark movie mainstay Lacey Chabert. In “Christmas Waltz,” she plays an attorney who takes ballroom dance lessons after a bad breakup. Of course, a handsome instructor (Will Kemp) helps to ease her pain. (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel).