TV critic's picks for Dec. 18-22

December 17, 2011 at 10:29PM
Former Vice President Walter Mondale
Former Vice President Walter Mondale (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Sunday

For "Life and Politics: A Conversation" (8 p.m., TPT Minnesota, Ch. 17 or 2.2), Garrison Keillor and ex-Vice President Walter Mondale talk about their college days, state of the union and why Guy Noir would make a lousy president.

Monday

I think we can all agree that game shows don't feature enough losing contestants falling through the floor. NBC comes to our rescue with a weeklong strip of "Who's Still Standing?" (7 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11), a new program with a $1 million jackpot and -- we hope -- some cushions in the basement. Ben Bailey, Beetle's cousin, hosts.

Tuesday

"Christmas at St. Olaf" (8 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2) celebrates its 100th anniversary in Northfield, Minn., with commissioned works from Andre J. Thomas and an excerpt from Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Hodie." That's immediately followed by the world's largest game of Twister.

Wednesday

Despite the fact that Winona Ryder never calls me when she visits her hometown of Winona, Minn., I have to give her props for picking 1976's "The Front" (7 p.m., TCM) as part of her night of programming. It's a devastating tale about blacklisting and features Woody Allen's best acting. Also on Ryder's list: "Ball of Fire" (9 p.m.), "Born Yesterday" (11 p.m.) and "A Face in the Crowd" (1 a.m.).

Thursday

The first American winner of "The X Factor" (7 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9) will finally be crowned in what's been a less than spectacular season. Sure, the ratings have been just fine, but "X Factor" hasn't changed the cultural conversation as "American Idol" did. The solution: more Paula Abdul wackiness!

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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