Mike Hughes

1) “Nurses” opener (shown here), 10 p.m., NBC. The five nurses arrive for their first day of work. They’re young, bright, diverse and (of course) telegenic. They have almost a minute to acclimate; then the world falls apart. A driver has crashed into students, killing and injuring; soon, the show is racing at “ER” speed. It sometimes slows, however, for personal glimpses of the patients and staff. Some of that feels contrived – especially an argument about helping a villain – but this is still a solid-enough drama. Read more…

1) “A Dolly Holly Christmas,” 8:30 p.m., CBS (but 8 p.m. PT). The Christmas-diva stretch concludes. We’ve had Christmas specials from Carrie Underwood on Thursday (HBO Max) and Maria Carey on Friday (Apple TV+); now Dolly Parton (shown here) has her turn, with a mix of religious and holiday-cheer songs. Read more…

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Morgan Wallen (shown here) is a young (27) country singer on a roll; his last four singles have each hit No. 1 on on the country airplay charts. He was supposed to be music guest earlier this season – then blew it when social media showed him partying without a mask. Dropped from the show then, he gets a second chance now; Jason Bateman hosts. Read more…

1) “American Masters: Keith Haring: Street Art Boy,” 9 p.m., PBS. Haring (shown here) grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch turf, forever chosen last for games. He was quick to leave his small town, move to New York and make a splash. Soon, his uncluttered artwork was on buildings, walls, floors … then in international galleries. In his 31 years (before being one of the first celebrities to die of AIDS), he made more than 10,000 artworks and became a pop-culture star. Here’s a fascinating story, richly illustrated. Read more…

1) “My Gift,” any time, HBO Max. Here’s the consummate Christmas special – no gimmicks, no distractions, no commercials, just a great singer. Carrie Underwood (shown here)  has shown her religious passion with “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Something In the Water” (both included here), but she hadn’t done a Christmas album until this year. She soars in the classics (“O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” etc.) and links beautifully with John Legend on his “Hallelujah” and with her son, 5, on “Little Drummer Boy.” Read more…

1) “SEAL Team” season-opener, 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. This is a big week for CBS: Three more dramas arrive Friday, leaving only two fall shows (“Evil” and “Equalizer”) pemding. And “SEAL” starts with a two-parter, as the team heads into the mountains (shown here) to find a terrorist leader. Jason (David Boreanaz) is soon separated from the rest. The second hour includes treacherous tunnels that are booby-trapped. Read more…