What to Watch on Friday: Anthony Hopkins stars in a new Netflix original movie
The Two Popes (Netflix) - This new original film inspired by true events tells the story of one of the most dramatic transitions of power in the last 2,000 years. Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins). Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church. Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between both tradition and progress, guilt and forgiveness, as these two very different men confront elements from their pasts in order to find common ground and forge a future for a billion followers around the world.
The Christmas Temp (8 p.m., Lifetime) - In this new Lifetime movie, an unemployed artist discovers a special Christmas temp agency that matches her with a handful of festive jobs, but she falls into a creative rut while juggling holiday preparations and feelings for the agency’s HR manager.
I Love Lucy Christmas Special (8 p.m., CBS) – In this colorized special, which originally aired in 1956, Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel reminisce as they trim the tree on Christmas Eve.
Global Citizen Prize (8 p.m., NBC) - Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Sting, Chris Martin, Stormzy and H.E.R. perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall for this award ceremony that celebrates individuals who take action to end extreme poverty. John Legend hosts.
Lidia Celebrates America (9 p.m., PBS / UNC-TV) - It’s the Season 7 premiere of this series in which Chef Lidia Bastianich travels around America to meet people who master artisan crafts including meat curing, coopering, jam-making and cider-making.
A Christmas Party Murder Mystery (9 p.m., Investigation Discovery) - In this new true crime special, a high-flying corporate executive finds his wife dead after a raucous Christmas party. Police suspect foul play and unearth the horrifying truth.
Some programming descriptions are provided by networks.
