Plus: HOLIDAY TV PREVIEW

New York, NY – The Force is strong with TV Guide Magazine, as the new issue, out today, features Disney XD’s hit CGI series Star Wars Rebels on the cover.

Senior Writer Damian Holbrook didn’t need any Jedi mind tricks to get the latest news on Star Wars Rebels from executive producer Dave Filoni. The series, now in its second season, set 5 years before the 1977 feature film A New Hope, is the network’s No. 1 show among adults 18-49. Bridging the gap between the two film trilogies, the series chronicles a band of rebels in the very early stages of Darth Vader’s reign. Filoni, who was interviewed by George Lucas himself a decade ago, hipped us to some major news. Grey’s Anatomy’s Kevin McKidd is voicing a new character, and one major legacy character from the films (not even Yoda could read his thoughts to discern who) is soon to be revealed in the series.

He tells us, “Since ’05, I’ve been quite literally studying the ways of the Force year in, year out, trying to improve my skills.” What else is in store? Click HERE to read the full article.

Also inside:  a look at the history of Star Wars on television.

Wondering what to watch to fill the house with holiday merriment and cheer? TV Guide Magazine’s Holiday Preview is here with a look at holiday episodes of Fresh Off The Boat, The Originals, The Middle, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Life in Pieces, NCIS: L.A., Arrow, black-ish, plus a special highlight for kids including Super Why!, Girl Meets World, Fraggle Rock and more!

And… our annual holiday gift guide featuring the season’s must-have presents for the TV lovers on your list.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

*      TV’s Federal Bureau of Insanity:  Staff Writer Gregory E. Miller examines the legitimacy of TV FBI teams – from research to training – on fall’s top dramas Blindspot, Limitless, Quantico.

*      Sheldon and Amy’s Big Bang… TV’s favorite nerd couple takes their relationship to the next level in the December 17 episode.

*      Q&A with celebrated director James Burrows, as he reaches a milestone 1000 episodes of TV’s top comedies.

*      When NBC’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls met President Obama:  British survivalist Grylls talks about taking the leader of the free world into the Alaskan wilderness for some adventure and a reality check on climate change.

*      The Logan Report:  Eva Longoria discusses her new series, Telenovela, which premieres on Dec 7.

*      Senior Critic Matt Roush reviews Transparent, The Expanse, Luther, and Childhood’s End.

*      Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors tells the true rags to riches tale of country music’s sweetheart premiering on Dec 10.

*      Syfy’s adaptation of the classic 1953 novel Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke, about a (seemingly) peaceful alien invasion, is a new miniseries adapted for modern times, “more relevant now than 50 years ago,” castmember and Game of Thrones alum Charles Dance tells us.

PLUS: Scene stealer Loretta Devine, Supergirl, Michael Buble’s Christmas in Hollywood, The Vampire Diaries, Bones, SNL, Andy Cohen, Fargo, Luther, NCIS, Elementary, Cheers & Jeers, Primetime Listings, Crossword AND MORE!!

About TV Guide Magazine:

Owned by NTVB Media, Inc., TV Guide Magazine is one of the leading entertainment magazines in the country with more than 12 million weekly readers. Celebrating more than 60 years as America’s most trusted television authority, TV Guide Magazine is the premier source for entertainment news, guidance, and information about the country’s most popular leisure time activity.