This week on “Sunday Morning” (December 12)

Guest host: Lee Cowan

COVER STORY: RFK’s children speak on Sirhan Sirhan
For more than five decades the children of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy have wrestled with the idea of forgiveness, for the man who killed their father at L.A.’s Ambassador Hotel in 1968. But now, California’s Parole Board has recommended that RFK’s assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, now 77, be granted parole from his life sentence. Correspondent Lee Cowan talks with some of the children of Kennedy who are divided on whether California Gov. Gavin Newsom should give Sirhan his freedom.

SUNDAY PROFILE: Fran Lebowitz speaks her mind
Most writers write; Fran Lebowitz talks. The opinionated essayist and raconteur sits down with correspondent Mo Rocca to discuss the reaction of her parents to her outspoken manner; why she still smokes; and her thoughts on gay marriage.

For more info:

      
‘TIS THE SEASON: Answering letters to Sana Claus
For more than 90 years, letters from across the globe have found their way to the post office in Santa Claus, Indiana, where teams of elves keep up with the mail. Correspondent Nancy Giles reports.

For more info:

• Santa Claus, Ind.
• Letters to Santa will be answered by Santa’s Elves if received by December 18, 2021. Send your letter to:
  Santa Claus
  P.O. Box 1
  Santa Claus, Ind. 47579

POLITICS: Jill Biden on being first lady
Correspondent Rita Braver visits with Dr. Jill Biden for a rare interview at Camp David, and travels with the first lady as she helps promote the administration’s work. Braver also talks with President Joe Biden and the first lady about their life together, and joins them as they pay tribute to service members, and celebrate the holidays at the White House,

PREVIEW: Jill Biden reflects on her role as first lady in rare Camp David interview

For more info:

     
PASSAGE: In memoriam

SCIENCE: The James Webb Space Telescope: Looking back towards the beginning of time
It’s the most ambitious, complex space observatory ever built – 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, capable of seeing stars so distant, their light has been traveling for nearly 14 billion years. Correspondent David Pogue looks at the revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope, an infrared observatory whose launch next week will usher in a new era in our understanding of the origin and evolution of the cosmos.

For more info:

      
HARTMAN: The return of Secret Santa
     

MOVIES: Maggie Gyllenhaal in the director’s chair
Oscar-nominated actress (and movie buff) Maggie Gyllenhaal is now at the helm, as director of her first feature, a psychological thriller called “The Lost Daughter,” that is already winning awards. She talked with “CBS Mornings” co-host Tony Dokoupil about a story that tells both uncomfortable and liberating truths regarding motherhood, and of embarking on a whole new career.

To watch a trailer for “The Lost Daughter” click on the video player below.

For more info:

• “The Lost Daughter” opens in theaters December 17, and begins streaming on Netflix December 31.

POSTCARD FROM TOKYO: Sweet spots
Correspondent Lucy Craft reports on a beloved but vanishing institution: the “dagashiya,” or corner penny candy store, a part of growing up in Japan.

For more info:

     
POLITICS: Rep. Ritchie Torres on “that triumph of hope”
The 15th Congressional District in New York’s South Bronx – the bluest district in the country – is represented by Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, for whom fighting to support the social safety net isn’t partisan; it’s personal. CBS News’ John Dickerson talks with Torres, the first Afro-Latino gay representative, about his journey, from a childhood in public housing to working the halls of Congress.

For more info:

      
NATURE: TBD
     

EXTRA:

“Follow the Suns”: The “CBS Sunday Morning” 2022 Day-to-Day Calendar
Celebrate “Sunday Morning” every day of the week with this handy 365-day tear-off calendar featuring examples of our luminous “sun art,” and quirky historical facts from our popular “Almanac” segment – a perfect holiday gift!

WEB EXCLUSIVES: 

MOVIES: Sundance returns to Park City, Utah – and also to a laptop or VR device near you
The 2022 festival lineup includes 82 features from 28 countries (nearly half by first-time directors), and a slate of streaming and virtual reality presentations accessible from anywhere. Check out our preview. 

PODCAST: “Unsung Science”
“Sunday Morning” correspondent David Pogue explores the origin stories behind some of the most mind-blowing advances in science and technology. Presented by CBS News and Simon & Schuster. 

Listen to the episode, “Who Makes the Fake Languages for Hollywood?”:

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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