Lifestyle

Set your DVR for 'Must-See TV,' 'Magic Mike,' more

Posted February 17, 2016 4:00 am

Sean Stangland

Follow @SeanStanglandDH

The cast of “Friends” will appear Sunday on NBC as part of an all-star tribute to prolific TV director James Burrows.

I hope you've got plenty of space on your DVR - you're going to need it this weekend.

There are the usual suspects: At 8 p.m. Sunday on AMC, a new episode of "The Walking Dead" follows on the heels of last week's shocking midseason premiere. Simultaneously, WTTW Channel 11 will be airing the penultimate episode of "Downton Abbey," leading up to the March 6 series finale. At 9 p.m., new seasons of "Girls" and "Togetherness" premiere on HBO. (When the weekend ends, don't forget the final episode of Fox's "X-Files" miniseries at 7 p.m. Monday.)

If you watch those shows, you probably knew they were coming. Here are some notable specials and movies worth checking out this weekend:

"American Masters - Carole King: Natural Woman" is a profile of the prolific singer-songwriter airing Friday on WTTW Channel 11. It's too late to get tickets for "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" at Chicago's Oriental Theatre, which coincidentally ends its run this weekend with four sold-out shows, but this hourlong documentary could be some kind of wonderful consolation prize. The tapestry unfurls at 8 p.m.

HBO will air a king-size double feature on Saturday night beginning at 6:05 with Steven Soderbergh's male stripper opus, "Magic Mike," and continuing at 8 with the network premiere of the 2015 sequel "Magic Mike XXL." This is your chance to see Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer and Matthew McConaughey dancing in various stages of undress from the comfort of your living room.

A decidedly more family-friendly offering airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC: "The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60" celebrates the 60th birthday of Walt's original theme park with a performance by Elton John in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, a preview of new "Star Wars" attractions hosted by Harrison "Han Solo" Ford and appearances from Disney legend Dick Van Dyke, the Muppets, the cast of "Frozen" and even the queen herself, Helen Mirren.

Your favorite sitcom stars return to NBC at 8 p.m. Sunday in "Must-See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows." Cast members from "Cheers," "Frasier," "Friends," "Will & Grace," "Taxi" and more celebrate the TV titan who co-created "Cheers" and has directed 1,000 episodes of more than 50 shows.

Sean Stangland is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor. You can follow him on Twitter at @SeanStanglandDH.

“Magic Mike XXL” premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday on HBO.

Singer-songwriter Carole King is profiled on Friday's new installment of “American Masters” on PBS. Associated Press

“Downton Abbey,” starring Laura Carmichael and Harry Hadden-Paton, moves toward its March 6 finale on WTTW Channel 11.

“Downton Abbey,” starring Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, moves toward its March 6 finale on WTTW Channel 11.

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