Neal Justin's TV picks for Dec. 17 – Ronny Chieng, 'Well Groomed,' 'Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel'

December 16, 2019 at 10:17PM
From the HBO show "Well Groomed." Provided by HBO
A dog owner gets creative in “Well Groomed.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Angry young man

In "Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America!," the "Daily Show" correspondent admits that his wife complains about how everything he says sounds sarcastic or angry. She's right — at least when it comes to his stand-up. Chieng may not be the cheeriest soul, but his rants about the internet, wedding guests and New York subways are so smart that you'll want to make this Scrooge part of your holiday season.

Now streaming on Netflix

Color their world

Your enjoyment of "Well Groomed" will depend largely on how you feel about pet owners who make their dogs look like bags of Skittles with tails. The documentary allows for some criticism of these beauty show contestants, but for the most part, this is a celebration of groomers who pour their creative energy into putting their canines in coats of many colors.

8 p.m. HBO

Slipping back

"Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" continues its holiday tradition of having its correspondents reflect on their most memorable stories of the year. That likely means some further thoughts from correspondent Soledad O'Brien on her visit to the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza. The annual sporting event next takes place on Jan. 25.

9 p.m. HBO

Neal Justin

TV journalist Soledad O'Brien at an event in New York City in 2016. (Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1219774
O’Brien (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Ronny Chieng performs at the 13th annual Stand Up For Heroes benefit concert in support of the Bob Woodruff Foundation at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)
Chieng (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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