This week on “Sunday Morning” (December 18)
The Emmy Award-winning “CBS Sunday Morning” is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. “Sunday Morning” also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.)
COVER STORY: America’s love affair with pickup trucks
Pickups trucks account for five of the industry’s Top 10 bestselling vehicles this year. And they’re not just popular in farm states; millennials are buying the most new trucks these days, many with no desire to haul anything more than a bag of groceries. Correspondent Lee Cowan looks at how the humble pickup is evolving, growing, and hauling in a new generation of fans.
For more info:
- Ford Trucks
- GMC Trucks
- Pickup Truck + SUV Talk Magazine
- Chevrolet Trucks
- Dodge Ram Truck
- Toyota Trucks
- Texas Auto Show – State Fair of Texas, Dallas
POSTCARD FROM ITALY: The world capital of accordions
Correspondent Seth Doane visits a most musical town: Castelfidardo, Italy, the world’s leading producer of accordions, and meets with aficionados of the instrument, and with manufacturers whose accordions may sell for up to tens of thousands of dollars.
For more info:
- Museo della Fisarmonica, Castelfidardo, Italy
- Accordionist-composer Simone Zanchini
- International Accordion Festival Castelfidardo
- Pigini Accordions
‘TIS THE SEASON: What would Hanukkah be without doughnuts?
The annual “Festival of Lights” is marked by traditions, but a more recent tradition is the consumption of filled or topped doughnuts, or sufganiyot. At Adir Michaeli’s New York City bakery, correspondent Serena Altschul finds out how they’re mixing things up for the holiday, creating sweet, sugary delights.
For more info:
- Michaeli Bakery, New York City
- Gagou De Paris
MOVIES: Margot Robbie on “Babylon” and being a “thrill seeker”
Two-time Oscar-nominee Margot Robbie stars as a successful young actress in Damien Chazelle’s period epic “Babylon,” set in 1920s Hollywood. Robbie talks with correspondent Tracy Smith about taking risks; having an accent too Australian for Australian TV; and how she repaid her mom after becoming a success herself.
To watch a trailer for “Babylon” click on the video player below:
For more info:
- “Babylon” in theaters everywhere December 23
PASSAGE: TBD
FOOD: A New Mexico Christmas: Red and green chiles
In New Mexico, diners deck their plates with sauces made of red or green chiles – or both, if they’re feeling the holiday spirit. Correspondent Conor Knighton gets a taste of how, thanks to a colorful chile combo, the meaning of “Christmas” takes on a different flavor in the kitchens of New Mexico.
For more info:
- Tia Sophia’s Restaurant, Santa Fe (Facebook)
- Chef Mica Chavez
- Tinworks by Richard Gabriel Jr. (Facebook)
HARTMAN: TBD
TV: ‘Tis the season for Hallmark movies
The dozens of holiday movies broadcast on the Hallmark Channel this time of year, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, have made Hallmark the #1 most-watched entertainment cable network in primetime during the holiday season among women 18 and older. What are the qualities of a Hallmark movie that create such a devoted following? Correspondent Luke Burbank talks with actress Lacey Chabert (the Queen of the Hallmark Movie”), and Wes Brown (known to fans as one of the “Hunks of Hallmark”).
For more info:
- “Holiday Heritage,” Dec. 16, 17, 19, 23, 29 on the Hallmark Channel
- “The Holiday Sitter,” Dec. 17, 20, 26, 30 on The Hallmark Channel
- “Haul Out the Holly,” Dec 21, 24 on The Hallmark Channel
COMMENTARY: Jim Gaffigan: This is NOT “the most wonderful time of the year”
It’s December, it’s cold and crowded, and comedian Jim Gaffigan chafes at the obligation to greet others with “Happy Holidays!” He’d rather be honest.
For more info:
MUSIC: Nicholas Britell: Knowing the score
Composer Nicholas Britell won an Emmy for his music for the HBO series “Succession.” The three-time Oscar-nominee talks with correspondent David Pogue about his scores for shows like the “Star Wars” series “Andor,” and about his process for collaborating with such directors as Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) and Adam McKay (“Don’t Look Up”).
For more info:
- nicholasbritell.com
- “Succession” on HBO and HBO Max
- “Andor” on Disney+
- “She Said,” in theaters and on demand
COMMENTARY: Faith Salie on Santa and the gift of magic
“Sunday Morning” correspondent Faith Salie talks about her visits from Santa Claus through the years, and how even “grown-up kids” can feel the joy he spreads to children – and to all who yearn to believe.
For more info:
NATURE: TBD
WEB EXCLUSIVES:
MOVIES: “Iron Man,” “The Little Mermaid,” “When Harry Met Sally” among movies named to National Film Registry
The Stephen King horror classic “Carrie,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” and the Oscar-winning “Cyrano de Bergerac” also among films to be preserved by Library of Congress for future generations.
For more info:
- National Film Registry
- Watch select Registry titles online for free in the National Screening Room
- To submit nominations for films to be inducted in the Registry click here
“HERE COMES THE SUN”: Actor Sylvester Stallone and the Lumberjack World Championships (Video)
Actor Sylvester Stallone sits down with Lee Cowan to discuss his role in the new Paramount+ series “Tulsa King.” Then, Conor Knighton travels to Hayward, Wisconsin, to attend the Lumberjack World Championships.
FROM THE ARCHIVE: Elon Musk and internet startups vs. Microsoft (Video)
In a report that originally aired on “CBS Sunday Morning” November 22, 1998, correspondent Rita Braver talked with Internet entrepreneurs (including Zip2 co-founder Elon Musk, Digital Bitcasting owner Peter Dougherty, and Cypress Semiconductors CEO T.J. Rodgers) about competing against tech giant Microsoft, which was then engaged in a fight with the U.S. government over the company’s hold on the software market.
FROM 1998: Elon Musk on his early Silicon Valley days, future of the internet (Video)
In an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent Rita Braver recorded in 1998, then-27-year-old tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who was chief engineer and co-founder of Zip2, talked about his startup, and his predictions about the future of the internet.
The Emmy Award-winning “CBS Sunday Morning” is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Executive producer is Rand Morrison.
DVR Alert! Find out when “Sunday Morning” airs in your city
“Sunday Morning” also streams on the CBS News app beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. (Download it here.)
Full episodes of “Sunday Morning” are now available to watch on demand on CBSNews.com, CBS.com and Paramount+, including via Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV/FireTV stick and Xbox.
Follow us on Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; YouTube; TikTok; and at cbssundaymorning.com.
You can also download the free “Sunday Morning” audio podcast at iTunes and at Play.it. Now you’ll never miss the trumpet!