Today's Entertainment

2 • December 24 - 30, 2017 • Brainerd Dispatch By Sarah Passingham TV Media A premiere holiday tradition continues on PBS with a spe- cial Christmas Day episode of the popular British drama series "Call the Midwife." The midwives of Nonnatus House return to care for the babies and mothers of Poplar in London's East End as they brave the coldest winter in 300 years. Settle down in front of the fire to catch what's sure to be another heartwarming "Call the Midwife" holiday special, Monday, Dec. 25, on PBS. Executive producer Pippa Harris revealed at the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival that the special this year sees the characters expe- rience the "Big Freeze" of the win- ter of 1962, which hit the U.K. with heavy snow and blizzards throughout December of that year. The busy midwives surely have a lot to handle between the extreme weather and their dedicated pa- tient care. This year's chilly theme is a far cry from 2016's Christmas special, which sent the midwives to assist the struggling Hope Clinic in South Africa. Actress Jenny Agutter ("Logan's Run," 1976) has portrayed Sister Julienne, the compassionate, steadfast Sister-in-charge of Non- natus since the series' conception. Sister Julienne is in full form this Christmas, and has tasked herself with reuniting a family for the hol- iday. "Royal Shakespeare Compa- ny: Henry IV" (2014) actor Jennifer Kirby, a relative newcomer to the show, returns as nurse Valerie Dyer, who helps a young couple with a traumatic birth during the winter storm. Nurse Dyer joined the midwives during season 6, when she rose to the occasion in assisting them after an explosion. As a former Army nurse and local Poplar girl, she was keen to be- come a midwife to care for her community, and soon joined the others at Nonnatus. Also starring are Charlotte Ritchie ("Siblings"), Helen George ("Hotel Babylon") and Emerald Fennell ("Chickens"), reprising their roles in the show as the mid- wives of Nonnatus House. Like Agutter, George has been with the show since the beginning, and her character Trixie Franklin has taken audiences on an emotional roller- coaster. Fans have seen Franklin through devastating breakups, al- coholism and treatment, and had the pleasure of watching her cre- ate meaningful friendships with the women of Nonnatus, helped by her nosey, busybody nature. "Call the Midwife" doesn't just tell stories of difficult and joyous births in London's poverty-stricken East End. The show has expanded the narrative of the series beyond the source material of author and nurse Jennifer Worth's Midwife book trilogy to explore issues fac- ing the community of Poplar and beyond. Over its six seasons, the series has become known for tack- ling touchy topics with compas- sion. Nonnatus House has been the framing device for stories explor- ing faith, poverty, prejudice, dis- ability and equality that are told through the midwives and mem- bers of their community. Though the series is set in 1950s and '60s London, the issues addressed have just as much impact and rel- evance today. One such storyline handles homosexual- ity and how attitudes toward it in mid- century London affects one of the main characters on a very personal level. It is revealed that Patsy Mount's (Fennell) close friendship with sur- gical nurse Delia Busby (Kate Lamb "Red Heart," 2011) devel- oped into a romantic relationship in season 4 of the show. The two experience the oppression of the time, forced to keep their relation- ship a secret from loved ones and out of the public eye. Like most tales told in "Call the Midwife," the drama of Mount and Busby is balanced with happy endings. Af- ter being separated due to an inju- ry, Busby returns to Mount and Nonnatus House to work as a nurse, train as a midwife and live with her girlfriend. One of the most controversial episodes of the show tackled do- mestic abuse to mixed opinions from the audience upon its air date. Though the fans may have criticisms of the show, they are a driving force for creator Heidi Thomas. In an interview at BBC Showcase 2016, she recalled her nerves when the show began, say- ing: "I don't think anyone was more surprised than us that we got eight million viewers on the air overnight." She continued: "I think it's not just the size of the audience, it's the loyalty, the pas- sion you get from them." Those passionate fans have contributed to high series ratings for its entire- ty, keeping it enthusiastically re- newed by its network and ensur- ing that they will receive more "Call the Midwife" for years to come, so long as showrunners have stories for the women of Nonnatus House to tell. The stories Thomas tells through the characters of "Call the Midwife" have hit home for the writer in many ways. The series is a family affair for the creator, as her husband, actor Steven McGann ("Emmerdale"), portrays Dr. Pat- rick Turner in the show. McGann revealed in his autobiography that he first fell for Thomas after read- ing a script of hers, and the diffi- culty of seeing her through medi- cal emergencies had a profound effect on the long-married couple. Following her health scare, Thom- as was inspired by her experience with the diligent nurses that she encountered throughout her re- covery to create "Call the Mid- wife" with all of the heart that has kept audiences in love with the show over six years. Save room this Christmas for PBS's "Call the Midwife" holiday special, airing Monday, Dec. 25. A holiday tradition continues for 'Call the Midwife' Cover Story this week Jenny Agutter as seen in "Call the Midwife" Conan My favorite thing about Harlem is you can buy absolutely anything from the street vendors. Anything! That's why, after the show tonight, you're all invited back to my hotel to watch a bootleg copy of "Bride of Chucky." I left New York eight years ago. Since then, there have been so many changes to this city. I was walking around today and I noticed that the Starbucks near my old apartment has been replaced by a totally different Starbucks. The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon The company that owns Match.com is in talks to buy Bumble for over $1 billion. But at their first meeting, Bumble had a friend call midway through in case things were going bad and they wanted to leave. I just read that one of the least-returned holiday gifts for women is anti-aging skin cream. So if you're thinking of buying the woman you love anti-aging skin cream — still don't. The Late Show With James Corden Two photographs that went missing from the Museum of a Modern Art in New York were mailed back to the museum just a few days later by the alleged thief. Which is, you know, great for the museum. Got to be a bit of a blow to the ego of the artist. "Your photographs were so popular they were stolen! No, wait, they sent them back." Late Night With Seth Meyers A Florida man is refusing to give up his "emotional support squirrel," even though his condo association is threatening to evict him. Of course, it's stressful times like these when the comforting embrace of a squirrel helps the most. Late Laughs 001659175r1 S E A M L E S S "EXPERIENCE THE ADVANTAGE" Advantage Seamless, Inc. 218-270-2663 or 888-570-5778 WWW.ADVANTAGESEAMLESSGUTTERS.COM THE BEST DEFENSE IN GUTTER PROTECTION AMERICA'S FIRST HIGH FLOW SYSTEM™ S E A M L E S S COUPON *** Must do entire home. Must book project by 12/31/17 with deposit down*** Call 1-888-570-5778. 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