Neal Justin's TV picks for Dec. 15-19 – '42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors,' 'Well Groomed,' 'Soundtrack'

December 14, 2019 at 5:50AM
Paul James, Callie Hernandez in "SOUNDTRACK."
credti: Parrish Lewis/Netflix
Paul James, Callie Hernandez in “Soundtrack.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Shining stars

The "42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors," taped last weekend, promises to be a touching broadcast, especially when the spotlight turns to "Sesame Street," which was celebrated just hours after the announcement that Caroll Spinney, the man in the Big Bird costume, had passed away. The night will also toast Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Tilson Thomas and Earth, Wind & Fire. I can't wait to hear Aaron Neville and Trisha Yearwood harmonize on Ronstadt's "Don't Know Much."

7 p.m. Sunday, WCCO, Ch. 4

Color their world

Your enjoyment of "Well Groomed" will depend largely on how you feel about pet owners who make their dogs look like bags of Skittles with tails. The documentary allows for some criticism of these beauty show contestants, but for the most part, this is a celebration of groomers who pour their creative energy into putting their canines in coats of many colors.

8 p.m. Tuesday, HBO

Singing lessons

"Soundtrack," a musical drama about love and loss in La La Land, borrows more than a few notes from "This Is Us," especially in the way it messes with time and your emotions. But the comparisons won't be enough to attract viewers who can't tolerate characters suddenly breaking into song, even when the tunes are as familiar as Demi Lovato's "Sorry (Not Sorry") and Kelly Clarkson's "Heat." The cast mainly lip-syncs, but the impressive dance moves are all their own.

Starts streaming Wednesday on Netflix

Neal Justin


Honoree Linda Ronstadt attends the 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors at Kennedy Center Hall of States on December 08, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1510546
Ronstadt (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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