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…
1) “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (shown here), 8 p.m., CBS. This is widely regarded as a classic, a Christmas gem for 56 years. So my opinion – good song, so-so story that would have been much better at half this length – can safely be ignored. Have fun. Read more…
1) “CMA Country Christmas,” 9-10 p.m. ABC. This is usually a festive two hours, in front of a cheery audience. But now it aims for the at-home feel of traditional holiday specials. Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren host; they’re shown here with Florida GeorgiaLine. Also performing are Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum and Dan + Shay, plus Darius Rucker with dynamic violinist Lindsey Stirling. Read more…
1) “Fargo” season-finale, 10 p.m., FX. This hour is both fascinating and frustrating … which makes it typical “Fargo.” In 1951 Kansas City, Loy (Chris Rock, shown here) finds his life collapsing He’s barely clinging to his crime empire and has been told (incorrectly) that his son is dead. But last week, the mortician’s daughter showed what she had learned about a lethal nurse. That sets up tonight’s big moments – lots of them. This is brilliantly written and filmed, but we kind of wish it had a couple fewer endings. Read more…
1) “Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of Fire,” 8 p.m., CBS. Amid the cascade of look-alike Christmas cartoons, we need variety. That’s what we get from this drolly clever film and (at 8:30) it sequel, “Legemd of the Lost Tribe.” These were made in England, then redubbed with Americans (plus Hugh Grant as Blitzen) doing the voices. Ben Stiller plays Robbie (shown here), whose dad is Rudolph; his real dad (Jerry Stiller) plays Old Jingle and Trash Bag. Britney Spears is Donner, with Leah Remini as Vixen. Read more…
1) “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (shown here), 8 p.m.,, NBC. Here is one of TV’s all-time greatest moments, a perfect blend of two witty geniuses – author Dr. Seuss and animator Chuck Jones. Catch it often; It will be on TBS on Dec. 6 and 13, on TNT on Dec. 17 and then back to NBC on Dec. 25. Read more…
