Today's Entertainment

December 28, 2020 - January 3, 2021 Page 3 ACROSS 1. Sean __ of "The Goldbergs" 8. Lays lawn 9. One in debt 10. Game show for Jane Lynch (2) 14. "Death __"; 2018 Bruce Willis movie 15. Prefix for order or array 16. __ down; recline 17. "Star Trek __ Darkness"; 2013 film 18. McConnell or Rubio: abbr. 19. Tolstoy & Durocher 20. Relinquish 24. Rank for Radar on "M*A*S*H": abbr. 27. Declare positively 28. Mater __; Mother of God 29. Actor Vigoda 32. Ward, for one 33. Actor on "Magnum, P.I." (2) 36. "Leave __ __ Beaver" 37. Popular Irish singer 38. Chris Sullivan's role on "This Is Us" (2) DOWN 1. "Mr. Smith __ __ Washington"; James Stewart film 2. Baking potatoes 3. Invite 4. Goes bad 5. "The __ and the Pussycat"; Streisand movie 6. Diamond & Sedaka 7. Orange Muppet 8. Boars and hogs 11. "The __ Sullivan Show" 12. Acapulco affirmative 13. Actor Berry 14. __ Wheaton 20. "__ Royale"; James Bond film 21. Holland Taylor's role on "Two and a Half Men" 22. Reese of "Touched by an Angel" 23. Generation 24. Musical discs 25. __ four; iced pastry 26. "__ __ Me" (2009-11) 29. Word from Popeye 30. "Who Wants to __ a Millionaire" 31. Suffix for soft or hard 34. Initials for Barnum of circus fame 35. Skirt's edge Solution is on page 2. CoverStory By Jay Bobbin To call this a year like no other is no cliché, but television is maintaining tradition as the calendar flips to a new 12-month cycle. In the current circum- stances, it's a given that normally well-attended New Year's events won't have those big on-site crowds. However, tele- vision has proven during 2020 that it still can accommodate such spe- cials, using creativity and technology ... so much of the expected Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 programming will remain, if in slightly altered states. Here's a look at some of the highlights. College Football (Thurs- day, Dec. 31, and Friday, Jan. 1): As of this writing, the following games re- main scheduled, albeit without the stands filled with spectators: the Armed Forces Bowl (Thursday, ESPN); the Liberty Bowl (Thursday, ESPN); the Arizona Bowl (CBS Sports Network); the Texas Bowl (Thursday, ESPN); the Sugar Bowl (Friday, ESPN); the Citrus Bowl (Friday, ABC); the Rose Bowl (Friday, ESPN); and the Birmingham Bowl (Friday, ESPN2). The Or - ange Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl both are slated to be played Saturday, Jan. 2, on ESPN. "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021" (Thursday, ABC): Though the massive gathering in New York's Times Square won't happen, there still will be a celebration large- ly staged virtually — com- plete with the ball drop. "Fox's New Year's Eve Toast & Roast 2021" (Thursday, Fox): Ken Jeong and Joel McHale preside over this hu- mor-themed recap of the past year, with music acts and "surprise" guests. "That's Entertainment!" marathon (Thursday, Turner Classic Movies): The channel continues its annual holiday practice of presenting all four of the star-laden, musi- cal-clip-combining features (including "That's Danc- ing!"). "Best of Stand-Up 2020" (Thursday, Netflix): Amer- ican, Canadian and Aus- tralian comics are among those showcased in this compilation of humor spe- cials from the past year ... when finding laughs was like striking gold. "Great Performances: From Vienna — The New Year's Celebration 2021" (Friday, PBS; check local listings): Hugh Bonneville returns for his fourth con- secutive year as host of the Vienna Philharmonic's holiday concert, con- ducted by Riccardo Muti and showcasing Strauss music. New year, familiar TV specials ... even in current times The identity of the featured celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. In order to take the TV Challenge, unscramble the letters noted with asterisks within the puzzle. Advertise Here! (574) 533-2151

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