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…
1) “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” 9 a.m. to noon, NBC, repeats 2-5 p.m. It’s not like the spectacle (shown here) of previous years; floats and balloons will travel one block, in front of NBC cameras, with no one curbside. But there will be spectacle, Santa and performances, some taped in advance. The “Hamilton” cast will be there; so, separately, will Leslie Odom Jr., who won a Tony in the show. Other casts are “Mean Girls,” “Get Ready,” “Jagged Little Pill”; individuals include Dolly Parton, Bebe Rexha, Sofia Carson, many more. Read more…
1) “Nature: Santa’s Wild Home,” 8 p.m., PBS. On the Northern edge of mainland Europe is Lapland (shown here), the legendary home of Santa Claus and the real home of giant herds of reindeer. This Finnish turf is both gorgeous and harsh. Summers are brief, beautiful and filled with mosquitoes; bears eat 80 pounds a day, to prepare for hibernation. Musk oxen don’t hibernate; they simply stand in the wintger cold, not moving. There are other fascinating scenes here, from soaring owls to orcas gulping swarms of herring. Read more…
1) “NCIS,” 8 p.m., CBS. This is the 400th episode of a show that seems eternal. “JAG” had 10 seasons, the last two overlapping with its spin-off, “NCIS” … which has just started its 18th season … and has two more spin-offs, in their seventh and 12th years. That adds up to 47 seasons (26 years) of Naval crimesolvers. Tonight flashes way back to when Gibbs (Mark Harmon) tackled his first case. Sean Harmon plays a younger version of his dad, which he’s done six previous times; he’s shown here, right, with a younger version of Ducky. Read more…
1) “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” 8-10 p.m., CW; continues through Thursday. Before triumphing with “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Amy Sherman-Palladino infused “Gilmore Girls” with that same blend of deep characters and whip-smart dialog. The show only won one Emmy (“Maisel” already has 20), but ran seven seasons and had this Netflix mini-series. Lorelei is running the inn and her daughter visits. (They’re shown here.) Past co-stars – Melissa McCarthy, Jared Padalecki and Milo Ventimiglia – also appear. Read more…
1) “American Music Awards,” 8-11 p.m., ABC. It’s time to link performers, award-show style. Bebe Rexha (shown here) is with Doja Cat, Bad Bunny with Jhay Cortez. Jennifer Lopez is with Colombian star Maluma; Justin Bieber does “Lonely” with Benny Blanco and “Holy” alone, There’s more – Katy Perry (singing “Only Love”), The Weeknd , BTS, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi, , Lil Baby, Nelly, Megan Thee Stallion, Shawn Mendes, Dan + Shay, Bell Biv DeVoe and Machine Gun Kelly. Read more…
