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Right about now, my feelings are mixed. I like what Casey Bloys & Francesca Orsi have said of HBO of late, but worried about who is going to get HBO, HBO Max, and all of Warner Bros. for that matter, someday soon. The letters H-B-O and what they stand for have survived transitions before, but can they still? Will the new owners treat it right? I wish, by some miracle, HBO would become a stand-alone company against the bigger, but not better, conglomerate monsters out there. For now, I stay loyal. We will see what happens in 2026, but for now, let’s all enjoy what is provided for us for December 2025.
A few quick points:
- IT’S FLORIDA, MAN. Returns
- A HEATED RIVALRY from Canada, not with, Arrives
- Edward Burns Returns with a Movie Sequel 30 Years Later
- Plus, the Music of Jeff Buckley, WhizKid & Counting Crows
- And some Eagles, Cowboys, Giants & Commanders
- Plus, MAD MEN!
HBO Original Series: No new series are set for a December launch, but as we reported already, a returning series makes it to the schedule. Season Two of IT’S FLORIDA, MAN is underway. Technically, its first installment debuted on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT), but we’ll give it recognition here. From Rough House Pictures (HBO’s EASTBOUND & DOWN and THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES) and Range Studios, this outrageous late-night comedy series brings to life unbelievable ripped-from-the-headlines tales of the Sunshine State – straight from the people who live there. Featuring candid accounts from everyday Floridians playfully recreated by a rotating cast of actors and comedians, this hilarious and irreverent series sheds light on the viral, wacky, and weird. The second season will include guest stars such as Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson, Tiffany Haddish, Haley Joel Osment, Bert Kreischer, Nick Swardson, Johnny Knoxville, Shea Whigham, Taika Waititi, Rita Ora, Holmes, David Koechner, Joel Kim Booster, Chet Hanks, Milan Carter, Nick Thune, Swoozie Kurtz, Johnny Pemberton, Ryan Mirvis, Brian Sacca, Ping Wu, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Frankie Quiñones, Hassie Harrison, Joseph Ruud, and Michael McDonald.
–S2 Ep 01 – “Speedy”:
Debut Date: Friday, November 28 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT)
When the state of Florida takes possession of his dog, a seasoned criminal seeking revenge plots to steal an entire casino boat. Guest appearances: Shea Whigham, Johnny Pemberton, Bert Kreischer, Brian Sacca, Hassie Harrison, Joseph Rudda, and Michael McDonald.
–S2 Ep 02 – “Pizza Man”:
Debut Date: Friday, December 05 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT)
After a night of hard partying, a Pensacola man finds himself nearly naked in a chain pizza establishment. Guest appearances: Adam DeVine, Nick Swardson, Chet Hanks, and Olivia Taylor Dudley.
–S2 Ep 03 – “Cuckoo Girl”
Debut Date: Friday, December 12 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT)
A Naples woman succumbs to the effects of a new medication and finds herself in trouble with the law. Guest appearances: Edi Patterson, Tiffany Haddish, and Swoosie Kurtz.
–S2 Ep 04 – “Bigfoot”
Debut Date: Friday, December 19 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT)
Seeking a social outlet, a Sarasota man heads to the Everglades with a new friend on a search for the elusive Skunk Ape. Guest appearances: Haley Joel Osment (pictured) and Milan Carter.
–S2 Ep 05 – “Moonshine”
Debut Date: Friday, December 26 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT)
An opportunist attempts to make a quick buck as a moonshiner, but a wrong turn pits him against another illegal backwoods operation. Guest appearances: Nick Thune, Johnny Knoxville, and Ryan Mirvis.
The final episode debuts FRIDAY, JANUARY 02, 2026.
We are getting close to the concluding episodes of IT: WELCOME TO DERRY. Yes, we are disappointed we couldn’t line up a reviewer for this work, but we want to draw your attention to it nevertheless. It resumes on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 07 (9:00-10:03 pm ET/PT). What follows is a breakdown of the final installments for the season.
–S1 Ep 07 – ” The Black Spot”
Debut Date: SUNDAY DECEMBER 07 (9:00-10:03 pm ET/PT)
A vigilante attack on the Black Spot unleashes long-dormant forces. In the aftermath, Dick helps uncover another crucial artifact.
–S1 – Ep. 08 – “Winter Fire”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 (9:00-10:10 pm ET/PT)
As a dense fog engulfs the town – and General Shaw pushes ahead with his mission – the Hanlons, Rose, Dick, and the kids must work together to save Derry.
Also continuing are the crazy shenanigans of Maia and her friends in I LOVE LA. Note, if you aren’t getting enough of Rachel Sennott and friends, there are three more episodes to catch from Season One, and then all new episodes have been greenlit for Season Two. Since the CHAIR COMPANY wrapped on November 30 (another season for it as well), I LOVE LA is a full hour on Sundays, repeating the previous week’s installment before the new episode, which runs beginning SUNDAY, DECEMBER 07 (10:30-11:00 PM ET/PT. Here is what we know –
–S1 Ep 06 – “Game Night”
Debut Date: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 07 (10:30-11:01 pm ET/PT)
Maia scores Tallulah a high-profile ad campaign, but Tallulah questions its resulting impact on her brand. Maia joins Dylan’s work friends for a game night, and things get horny. Meanwhile, Charlie runs into an ex at a funeral.
–S1 Ep 07 – “Divas Down”
Debut Date SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 (10:40-11:12 pm ET/PT)
While Tallulah is completely absorbed in her new relationship, Maia turns her attention to scoring a seat for Tallulah at an exclusive fashion dinner. Alani accompanies Charlie home from surgery.
–S1 Ep. 08 (Season Finale) TBA
Debut Date: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 (10:30-11:00 pm ET/PT)
LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER concluded its twelfth season on November 16. The lucky thirteenth season will not begin until sometime in FEBRUARY 2026. REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER has concluded its twenty-third season and will launch its twenty-fourth in JANUARY 2026.
Original Series Exclusive to HBO Max: Supposedly long-spooling broadcast-like shows, in other words, shows like THE PITT, will carry the HBO Max Original banner going forward. Nothing new yet; THE PITT will return in January.
HBO International Titles: Here is a title we didn’t see coming from our friends to the north. Originally created for Canadian streaming service Crave by award-winning Canadian writer-director-producer Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy), HEATED RIVALRY chronicles the story of rival hockey players Shane and Ilya. Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) are two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry, and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands. What begins as a secret fling between two fresh-faced rookies evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery. Over the next eight years, the pair chase glory on the ice while struggling to navigate their feelings off it. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there is room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile and as powerful as real love.
The series also stars François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova. Adapted from Rachel Reid’s critically acclaimed “Game Changers” book series, this drama series debuted with two episodes on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 on HBO Max in the U.S. and Australia. New episodes of the six-episode season will debut weekly leading up to the finale on Friday, December 26.
Next is a documentary film from Germany that debuts on HBO Max on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 04. It is ARCHITECTON, and it presents a topic a bit difficult to want to wrap your head around. It is a 2024 documentary film written and directed by Viktor Kossakovsky about the ways that stone and concrete architecture express the values of their societies. The director, in 98 minutes, presents a poetic meditation on architecture and how the design and construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal our destruction – and offer hope for survival and a way forward. He reflects on the rise and fall of civilizations while focusing on a current landscape project. ScreenDaily stated, “Even before the opening credits have finished rolling, Architecton impresses.”
Occasionally, it happens that the WBD press release lists titles that you can’t track down, and when that happens, they are usually international titles. This month, two surface; they are STOLEN CHILDREN, debuting on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, and HEAVEN coming on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26. The French piece, which gives us Dangerous Liaisons from the feminine perspective, THE SEDUCTION continues with new installments. They upload Fridays beginning FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05, and conclude three weeks later.
HBO & HBO Max Theatrical Movies: Three titles arrive on the service. All three of them are sequels. One arrives 41 years after the original, another 30 years after, and the last title is the clear box office champ of the year. The titles are The Family McMullen, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, and Ne Zha II. Here is a look at each.
Our first title is exclusive to HBO Max. It is the film THE FAMILY MCMULLEN, written, directed, and produced by star Edward Burns, and it debuts FRIDAY, DECEMBER 05. 30 years after Edward Burns’ The Brothers McMullen (which is also available to stream on HBO Max) wowed critics and audiences – winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival – with its exploration of the lives and struggles of three Irish American brothers from Long Island, New York, the family returns in this long-awaited follow-up. The new film tracks the romantic entanglements of a now 50-something Barry McMullen (Burns) and his 20-something kids, as well as his brother Patrick (Michael McGlone) and widowed sister-in-law Molly (Connie Britton), each facing unexpected romantic hurdles of their own. McGlone & Britton, like Burns, are also returning to their original roles. Since it is an exclusive to the streamer, the Saturday night movie on December 06 is 2005’s Wedding Crashers.
Forty-one years after the release of the groundbreaking This Is Spinal Tap, the now estranged bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) are forced to reunite for one final concert. That actual final concert debuts in 2026. So, until then, enjoy SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES, which debuts on HBO on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 (8:00-9:25 pm ET/PT) and on HBO Max the night prior. Also on the 13th, the original title, This Is Spinal Tap, airs prior to its sequel, beginning at 6:35 pm ET. If you are clueless, then shame on you!
The studio A24 has distributed an English-dubbed version of the blockbuster NE ZHA II, inspired by Chinese mythology, which is the highest-grossing animated film in history; it grossed over $2 billion worldwide. The sequel to a hit movie released in 2019, it tells the story of a child demigod named Ne Zha. This rebellious young boy is feared by the gods and born to mortal parents with wild, uncontrolled powers. Now he’s faced with an ancient force intent on destroying humanity, he must grow up to become the hero the world needs. The English dub’s cast is led by Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, Crystal Lee, Vincent Rodriguez III, and Aleks Le. This great Holiday treat, courtesy of A24 and HBO, debuts SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 (8:00-10:23 pm ET/PT). That original 2019 title NE ZHA will be available to watch as of MONDAY, DECEMBER 01, as well.
HBO Documentary Films: Music is always in the air at Holiday time, and the music flows on HBO in December as well. One big biography of a master songsmith leads us off, followed by five installments from Bill Simmons’ Music Box series. First up is PAUL ANKA: HIS WAY. This HBO Original documentary, directed and produced by Emmy-winning filmmaker John Maggio (HBO’s MR SATURDAY NIGHT), debuts MONDAY, DECEMBER 01 (9:00-10:40 pm ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Featuring archival performances of Anka’s songs by genre-spanning music legends, including Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and more, the film follows Anka as he performs around the world and chronicles his journey from his childhood in Ottawa, Canada, to becoming a global musical sensation. The film reveals Anka to be the artistic force behind a wide range of surprising hits and genres, from the theme for NBC’s The Tonight Show to the iconic hit “My Way.” As new musicians emerged over the years and threatened to eclipse his career, Anka worked to expand his reach by collaborating with artists such as Drake and covering popular songs like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” At age 84, Anka continues to tour and sure as shit deserves this HBO treatment.
Adding to the Music Box collection are looks at Jeff Buckley, WhizKid, Counting Crows, and Children’s Music. There is one a week beginning on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 04 (9:00-10:50 pm ET/PT) with MUSIC BOX: IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY. It covers the life of the rising young star with an otherworldly voice and boundary-pushing artistry, who left the ‘90s music world reeling when he died suddenly at age 30 after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album “Grace.” Told through never-before-seen footage from Buckley’s archives and intimate accounts from his mother, Mary Guibert, former partners Rebecca Moore and Joan Wasser, and former bandmates, including Michael Tighe and Parker Kindred, this film illuminates one of modern music’s influential and enigmatic figures.
A week later, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 (9:00-10:25 pm ET/PT), a totally different musician gets the focus. WIZKID: LONG LIVE LAGOS explores how art and music have the power to shift global perception and awareness through the story of Nigerian superstar Wizkid as he prepares for his groundbreaking performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. One of the most commercially successful African musicians of all time, Wizkid’s talent and authenticity transcend borders and bring African music to the world stage, challenging the stereotypes in Western media and reclaiming African identity. With no music industry infrastructure in Nigeria, he was fueled by raw talent, determination, and his belief that success would not only change his and his family’s lives but also the global perception of Nigeria and the continent of Africa.
We’ve yet to see a trailer or much detail for the latter two installments, but this is what we know at this time: Arriving on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 at the 9:00 hour is MUSIC BOX: COUNTING CROWS: HAVE YOU SEEN ME LATELY? A revealing portrait of Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz, and the emotional and creative toll a band’s meteoric rise can have on a musical artist. The documentary traces how he navigated early fame while crafting a raw, defiant follow-up to the band’s iconic debut album, directed by Amy Scott. Concluding the run on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, again at the 9:00 hour, is MUSIC BOX: HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT. A joyful and surprising journey into the fascinating world of toddler pop, the film explores why kids’ music is so catchy, can be deeply meaningful, and how AI is taking hold and shaping the industry. The film features appearances by The Wiggles, Laurie Berkner, and other musicians.
HBO Original Specials: One more comedy special to end the year. Sarah Sherman’s first stand-up comedy special, SARAH SQUIRM: LIVE + IN THE FLESH, debuts FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 (9:00-10:01 pm. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Sarah Sherman’s unholy alter ego, Sarah Squirm, slithers onto your screen in her first stand-up comedy special. After four seasons (and counting) on Saturday Night Live, the comedian rips off the straitjacket, unleashing a festering and hilarious hour of bodily fluids, open-wound confessionals, and jokes that will leave scars on your soul. Performed and executive produced by Sarah Sherman. Executive produced by Lorne Michaels, Hilary Marx, and Taylor Segal for Broadway Video.
HBO Max Kids & Family: Not much here, as the streamer has greatly trimmed down content in this category. Here are a few titles that have new episodes to offer: DYLAN’S PLAYTIME ADVENTURES uploads FRIDAY, DECEMBER 04; Season Three of BATWHEELS comes on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 05; more BUGS BUNNY BUILDERS are added on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 09, with TOAD AND FRIENDS appearing on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, and TEEN TITANS GO! on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19.
HBO Sports: It’s time for more HARD KNOCKS! HBO and NFL Films re-team to present HARD KNOCKS: IN SEASON WITH THE NFC EAST, debuting TUESDAY, DECEMBER 02 (9:00-10:00 pm ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes will premiere on subsequent Tuesdays through the end of the NFL regular season and continue into the NFL playoffs in January 2026. The session will follow the reigning Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the Washington Commanders during the final stretch of the NFL season. From wins and losses to injuries and adversity, the series will capture an inside look at life in one of football’s most historic divisions. The series will be narrated by Liev Schreiber.
Other Shows On HBO or HBO Max: HBO is proud to announce that a classic series title is soon to be available in its entirety on HBO Max. A whole presser was launched about it. Beginning December 01, the 16-time Emmy-winning series MAD MEN will be available to stream on HBO Max for the first time in 4K for premium subscribers. The seven-season series from Emmy and Golden Globe-winning writer and executive producer Matthew Weiner (THE SOPRANOS) is produced by Lionsgate Television and originally aired on AMC from 2007-2015. MAD MEN explores the glamorous and ego-driven “Golden Age” of advertising, where everyone is selling something, and nothing is ever what it seems. And no one plays the game better than Don Draper, Madison Avenue’s biggest ad man – and ladies’ man – in the business. Starring an award-winning cast with Jon Hamm, Vincent Kartheiser, Elisabeth Moss, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Kiernan Shipka, Jessica Pare, and John Slattery.
Jim Packer, President of Worldwide Television Distribution at Lionsgate, stated, “MAD MEN continues to show truly remarkable staying power with audiences a full decade after concluding its network run, and we couldn’t imagine a better home for it than HBO Max. HBO sets the bar for premium entertainment, making it the perfect place to celebrate one of television’s defining series while introducing MAD MEN to new viewers and reintroducing it to longtime fans in 4K.” So, there you go.
Other movies rotating onto the schedule this month include Atomic Blonde, Christmas with the Kranks, Girls Trip, Hidden Figures, Key Largo, Mission to Moscow, Shin Godzilla, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Wolf Children, and more. As for Christmas fare, movies already trending on HBO Max are Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and The Polar Express. In the newly crafted Always The Season Collection, you can also find Almost Christmas, Bad Santa, Four Christmases, 8-Bit Christmas, The Man Who Invented Christmas, and more. Plus, Yule Log videos!
Next Month’s Tease: Joining Sir Henry Muck to muck up the relationships they have on this show will be enigmatic executive Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella). Will the leading ladies be able to wheel & deal with these men in their midst? Find out in January 2026.
Last Month’s Tease: Last month, we asked if you knew what Sarah Sherman was going to be doing over on HBO, and the answer is she headlines the HBO Comedy Special SARAH SQUIRM: LIVE + IN THE FLESH in December.
Final Clip: Get in the mood to squirm!
Enjoy HBO & HBO Watch!
