1) “Extended Family” debut, about 8 p.m. (after football), NBC. For one night, the post-strike TV season begins. This show has Jon Cryer navigating a life with his ex-wife (Abigail Spencer, they’re shown here), their two kids and her boyfriend (Donald Faison). There are the situation-comedy traditions, including a flailing dad and a dead fish. Still, this is fairly funny … and it’s good to finally have a new sitcom.
2) “Night Court,” about 8:30, NBC. Here’s the other half of NBC’s comedy bloc. (Yes, the old “must-see” network has only two sitcoms. In a new episode, Abby and Dan scramble to find a little girl’s letter to Santa; also, a witness claims to be the Ghost of Christmas Present. (These two shows slide to Tuesdays, with reruns Dec. 26 and new episodes Jan. 2.) Then NBC has “Saturday Night Live” reruns at about 9 (the Christmas special) and 11:29.
3) Football. This is the busiest bowl day, with seven games. That starts at noon ET on ABC and ESPN; it ends with the Hawaii Bowl – lots of sunny scenes expected — at 10:30 on ESPN. In between, ESPN has bowls at 3:30 and 7 p.m.; ABC has them at 3:30 and 7:30. And there are two pro games: To avoid Christmas Eve, NBC has Bengal-Steelers at 4:30 p.m. and Peacock has Bills-Chargers at 8.
4) “When Christmas Was Young” (2022), 8 p.m., CBS. After debuting three Christmas films last year, CBS reruns them now. “Fit For Christmas ” (which ran Friday) was inept, “Must Love Christmas” (Dec. 29) is quite good, this is in-between. It has a weak story about a reluctant songwriter, but two big pluses: The star — Karen David, who was born in India, raised in Canada, educated in Boston – is excellent; so is the song, written by Sheryl Crow.
5) “Christmas With The Chosen: Holy Night,” 8-10 p.m., CW. The serious side of Christmas takes over. On Sunday, CW has the season-finale of “The Chosen,” a crowdfunded series about the life of Jesus. First, the creator of that show co-directs a special that has seven music performances (including Andrea and Matteo Bocelli), two new monologues and music highlights from two previous specials.