This week on "Sunday Morning" (Dec. 17)
Full episodes of "Sunday Morning" are now available to watch on demand on CBSNews.com. CBS.com and CBS All Access, including via Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon FireTV/FireTV stick and Xbox. The show also streams on CBSN beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET. Now you'll never miss the trumpet!
COVER STORY: Toymaker opens up about the season's hot new toy | Watch Video
Inspired by YouTube unboxing videos, L.O.L. Surprise takes the act of unwrapping to a new level. John Blackstone reports on the unorthodox methods that went into creating and marketing this year's hottest toy.
For more info:
- L.O.L. Surprise (MGA Entertainment)
- Everleigh Opens Toys (YouTube Channel)
ALMANAC: Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki | Watch Video
On December 17, 1969, the novelty singer married Miss Vicki on "The Tonight Show," drawing than 21 million viewers. Jane Pauley reports.
'TIS THE SEASON: Gift ideas from Techno Claus | Watch Video
It's that time of year! David Pogue, disguised as a jolly man in red, emerges from the fireplace to deliver some gift suggestions for those on your list who love gadgets.
For more info:
- Hot Logic Mini 3-in-1 Electric Lunchbox
- MoviePass
- Enchroma Color-Blindness Sunglasses
- Sonos One Speaker with Alexa
- Alexa Dash Wand
- DJI Spark Drone
SUNDAY PROFILE: Christoph Waltz | Watch Video
Seth Doane sits down with the Oscar-winning actor, who made a big impression in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds," and who now has a small part (literally!) in the sci-fi comedy "Downsizing," about humans who are miniaturized, and is taking his love of music to the opera stage, directing an Antwerp production of Verdi's "Falstaff."
For more info:
- "Downsizing" (Official Facebook site)
- "Falstaff" by Opera Vlaanderen, in Antwerp and Gent, Belgium (through January 20, 2018)
MOVIES: "Saturday Night Fever" turns 40 | Watch Video
The iconic John Travolta movie captured the 1970s disco era like no other film. Michelle Miller pays a visit to Tony Manero's old neighborhood -- Bensonhurst, in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- where "Saturday Night Fever" was set.
For more info:
- "Saturday Night Fever: Director's Cut" on DVD and Blu-Ray (Amazon) and via streaming (iTunes)
- Brooklyn Dance Centers
- Dana Polan, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
'TIS THE SEASON: Chestnuts (Video)
On the streets of Beijing, just about the time Jack Frost starts nipping at your nose, you can smell the chestnuts roasting on open fires, as many street corner vendors do a brisk business. Ben Tracy reports.
For more info:
- untourfoodtours.com (Beijing)
HARTMAN: Secret Santa pays a visit to Harvey-ravaged Texas (Video)
Four months after Tropical Storm Harvey flooded Beaumont, Texas, hundreds are still virtually homeless for the holidays. Which is why Secret Santa - an anonymous businessman who travels the country each year giving out hundred-dollar bills to random strangers - made Beaumont his first stop this year, deputizing Beaumont police officers as elves to share some needed Christmas cheer. Steve Hartman reports.
FOR THE RECORD: Michael McDonald is back with "Wide Open" | Watch Video
Jim Axelrod profiles the singer-songwriter and former member of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, who has just released his ninth solo studio album, "Wide Open."
To hear Michael McDonald perform "Hail Mary," from his album "Wide Open," click on the video player below.
For more info:
- michaelmcdonald.com
- Follow Michael McDonald on Facebook and YouTube
- "Wide Open" by Michael McDonald (Chonin), available on CD (Amazon, Barnes & Noble), Vinyl (Amazon, Barnes & Noble), Digital Download (Google Play, iTunes), and Streaming (Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify)
'TIS THE SEASON: A ghost town's Christmas past | Watch Video
Once upon a time the merriest Christmas in the Southwest came courtesy of some lumps of coal. An electrified Christmas wonderland was built in the mining town of Madrid, New Mexico, and that tradition is continued today, in a community that hosts an off-beat Christmas parade, funky shops and boutiques, and twinkling Yuletide lights. Conor Knighton reports.
For more info:
- Visit Madrid, New Mexico
- Madrid Old Coal Town Museum, Madrid, N.M.
- Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, New Mexico
'TIS THE SEASON: White House ornaments | Watch Video
In the 1980s first lady Nancy Reagan launched the idea of selling White House Christmas Ornaments.
The first was a simple Angel. But then the Association started honoring each president, sequentially, beginning with a dove copied from the weather vane at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate.
Rita Braver examines the history of this White House tradition, and checks out this year's ornament, honoring President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
For more info:
Q&A: Doug Jones | Watch Video
Manuel Bojorquez talks with the newly-elected Senator from Alabama, a Democrat and former prosecutor.
CALENDAR: Week of December 18 | Watch Video
"Sunday Morning" takes a look at some notable events of the week ahead. Jane Pauley reports.
NATURE: Autumn in Oklahoma (Extended Video)
We leave you this last Sunday Morning of autumn at Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma. Videographer: Roy Neher.
WEB EXCLUSIVES:
EDUCATION: Students with autism make music with iPads (Video)
For years Adam Goldberg, a classical pianist who teaches music at P177Q in Queens, New York, struggled to break through to his students who have serious learning disabilities, such as autism … until he started using instruments virtually anyone can play: an iPad. Their iPad band is more than just a musical collective; the experience has helped students speak and communicate who never had before. Tracy Smith reports.
For more info:
- P177Q, Queens, N.Y.
- Autism Speaks
- Autism Society
- On Special Education (blog)
- VSA: The International Organization of Arts and Disability
OPINION: Kurt Andersen on truth, lies and facts | Watch Video
The author says that in a political environment where "truthiness," lies and reckless opinions muddy the waters, a founding father's faith in facts may be what saves us.
For more info:
- kurtandersen.com
- Follow @KBAndersen on Twitter and Facebook
- "Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire - A 500-Year History" by Kurt Andersen (Random House), in Hardcover, eBook and Digital Audio Download formats; Available via Amazon
- "You Can't Spell America Without ME: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of My Fantastic First Year as President Donald J. Trump (A So-Called Parody)" by Alec Baldwin & Kurt Andersen (Penguin), in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, Digital Audio Download and Audio CD formats; Available via Amazon
The Emmy Award-winning "CBS Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. Executive producer is Rand Morrison.
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