1) “Kennedy Center Honors,” 8-10:30 p.m., CBS. This used to be one of TV’s best shows. Now a politicized version has Trump-approved honorees (George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, KISS) and mid-level performers. Still, it also has Kelsey Grammer, plus stars of country (Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn), gospel and more. (Shown here are David Phelps and Laura Osnes.)
2) Bowl games, ESPN. Lots of Ohio people are obsessing on Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl game, on New Year’s Eve. Today, however, there are bowls involving Toledo (2 p.m. ET, facing Louisville) and Ohio (with an interim coach, facing Nevada — Las Vegas at 9). In between those games, Western Kentucky faces Southern Mississippi at 5:30.
3) Animation, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Freeform. Here’s a terrific, eight-hour block. Mickey Mouse tales start at 7, with the “Frozen” films at 10 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. and “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” at 2:30. The rest of the day has oft-repeated movies, including Jim Carrey as Scrooge (3) and the Grinch (9:45).
4) “Murder in a Small Town,” 8 p.m., Fox. A double kidnapping sends the short-staffed police force scrambling across a vast territory. It’s a terrific story, alongside a so-so one about the mayor’s maneuvers. “Murder” has already finished its season, but “Doc” (with good reruns at 9 p.m. today and Wednesday) has 13 more episodes, starting Jan. 6.
5) “The Nutcracker,” 9 p.m,., PBS. Here’s a second chance to see the English National Ballet production, with gorgeous sets and stagecraft. It’s surrounded by “American Masters” reruns about unrelated Lees — Brenda (8 p.m.), the teen star whose “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” reached No. 1, 65 years after its release, and George (10:30), a pioneering ballet dancer.