1) Football, 8 p.m. ET, ABC. The new college playoff system opens with teams from opposite pasts. Notre Dame has won 11 consensus national championships plus 11 disputed ones; overall, it’s won 74 percent of its games. During a 66-year stretch, Indiana(shown here) won only 37 percent and two conference titles. They collide, with three more games Saturday. Read more…
1) “Nate Bergatze’s Nashville Christmas,” 9 p.m., CBS. There’s only a tad of music — one song each by Carrie Underwood (shown here) and Noah Kahan, brief bits by Darius Rucker. Instead, this focuses on comedy. Some of it is quite good, including a stand-up set by Derrick Stroup and a sketch (Bergatze discussing the future) that’s like one he did on “Saturday Night Live.” Read more…
1) “Survivor” finale, 8-10 p.m., CBS. Four people have a shot at being the 47th million-dollar winner. “Teeny” Chirichillo, a free-lance writer, and Sam Phalen, a sports reporter, are 24. Rachel Lamont, 34, a graphic designer. Sue Smey, who owns a flight school, is 59; shee’s shown here (left) last week with Chirichillo (right) and Genevieve Mushaluk, who was ousted. Read more…
1) “Joy: Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir,” 8-9:30 p.m., PBS. This is epic music – 360-voice choir, 150-piece orchestra, bells, trumpets, organ and singer Michael Maliakel (shown here), from Broadway’s “Aladdin.” A story – Lesley Nicol telling of Victor Hugo’s parties for children – is fairly good; the music, especially Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” is sublime. Read more…
1) “American Masters,” 10 p.m., PBS. At 10, Brenda Lee was supporting her widowed mother and siblings. Now, 70 years later, she’s still a potent force, with tiny (4-foot-9) body, huge voice and vibrant personality. This fascinating hour traces someone (shown here) who has sold 100 million records, from “I’m Sorry” to the eternal “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Read more…
1) “An Evening With Dua Lipa,” 8:30-10 p.m., CBS.`In London’s gorgeous, 153-year-old Royal Albert Hall, Lipa (shown here) strolls triumphantly on an S-shaped runway, with orchestra and chorus tucked into each curve. There are a few talk segments (some good, some not) and an Elton John duet; but mostly this is a young star, performing with passion and skill. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Doing things big in its 50th season, “SNL” has former cast members hosting for the next two weeks. Tonight, it’s Chris Rock (shown here), with only his fourth hosting gig in 28 years; Gracie Adams is the music guest. Next week, Martin Short hosts. Read more…
1) “Blue Bloods” series-finale, 10 p.m., CBS. For 14 seasons, Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) has led the New York City police department and a Reagan family filled with cops (shown here is Donnie Wahlberg, who plays is oldest son) and an assistant district attorney. Now there’s one final crisis, with gangs combining to demand the release of prisoners. Edward James Olmos is a guest star. Read more…
1) “Billboard Music Awards,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. After 17 years elsewhere, the awards return to their original network. Michelle Buteau, a comedian, hosts; performers include Coldplay, Seventeen, Teddy Swims, Tyla (shown here) and more. Up for the Top Artist award are Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter and Drake. Read more…
1) “A Motown Christmas,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. Spanning generations, this is hosted by Smokey Robinson, 84, and Halle Bailey, 24. His contemporaries – Gladys Knight, the Temptations, Martha Reeves — perform; so do younger stars: Jordin Sparks (shown here),Jamie Foxx, Andra Day, Ashante, Jordin Sparks, Pentatonix and the cast of “MJ: The Musical.” Read more…
