By Brenna Walton
This roundup brings you the television events we at COLLIDE refuse to miss this week.
*LIZ AND DICK, LIFETIME, SUN., NOV. 25, 8 P.M.
It’s no “Mean Girls,” but you have to take what you can get these days if you want to see Lindsay Lohan act. In tonight’s premiere, she plays the glamorous and spoiled Elizabeth Taylor, opposite Grant Bowler as the Hollywood legend’s fifth husband, Richard Burton. Lohan’s troubled personal life has nearly destroyed her career, making her a liability that few are willing to hire at this point. She really needs a win with this one. There’s only so much critical acclaim a Lifetime movie can earn her, but here’s hoping the role will be a step in the right direction.
*A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, ABC, WED., NOV 28, 8 P.M.
In our opinion, Christmas specials air way too early these days, but that still can’t ruin this classic. The Peanuts’ holiday special has aired faithfully every year since it debuted in 1965. There are so many great things about it — Linus’ speech about the meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown and the little tree that could — but nothing beats the dance scene at the Christmas pageant rehearsal.
*PANIC 9-1-1, A&E, THURS., NOV. 29, 10 P.M.
Remember Rescue 911? This is a grittier, better-produced, modern version of the former William Shatner vehicle in which actual recordings of 911 calls are re-enacted. It’s tamer than most of the true crime programming on the Investigation Discovery channel, but true crime junkies will still probably be into this one. The premiere documents a call from an elderly woman living in the middle of nowhere who is forced to use a shotgun to defend herself against an intruder.
*SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, NBC, SAT. DEC. 1, 11:30 P.M.
It’s hard to imagine Daniel Craig, the latest incarnation of Bond, James Bond, as anything less than debonair. So we’re curious to see how he fares at acting silly. The fact that SNL has gotten a little better this season doesn’t hurt either. Here’s hoping 007 keeps the winning streak going.
*THE WALKING DEAD, AMC, SUN., DEC. 2, 9 P.M.
We’re betting the mid-season finale of the record-breaking cable TV series about a band of survivors navigating a post-zombie apocalypse world will be even more action-packed than usual. The group prepares to do battle with a rival community that has taken two of their own hostage. The show has already offed two major characters this season and we’re guessing this week might take another one.
