1) “American Masters,” 9 p.m., PBS. Here’s a joyous journey through Dick Van Dyke’s life. He turns 100 Saturday, so there’s a lot to cover. We see his elastic face and body in a nightclub act. His TV shows floundered until the brilliant “Dick Van Dyke Show” (shown here). Then came “Mary Poppins” and some serious turns, reflecting his struggle with alcoholism. Read more…
1) “Frozen” (2013) and “Frozen II (2019),” 6 and 8:25 p.m., Freeform. These animated gems (SHOWN HERE) lead an extraordinary night of movies. It ranges from the 1946 Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” (8 p.m., USA) to the 2025 terror of “Sinners” (6:40 p.m., HBO). Also at 8, MGM+ has “Big” (1989) and Showtime has “The Godfather” (1972). Read more…
1) “The Amazing Race” finale, 9:30-11 p.m., CBS. This started with 13 duos, each with a “Big Brother” alumnus. Now two are definitely still in — Jag Bains with his brother Jas and Kyland Young and his girlfriend (also from “Big Brother”) Taylor Hale. As this starts, the final spot will go to Joseph Abdin and his brother Adam or Izzy Gleicher and his fiance, Paige Seber (they’re shown here in an early episode). Read more…
1) “The First Christmas,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. In the midst of all the candy-cane fluff, there’s actually a serious, documentary-style movie about the nativity. The actors playing Mary and Joseph and others are unknown, but the host is very known. That’s Kevin Costner, who also stars in the brilliant “Field of Dreams” (1989), from 6-8:30 p.m. on BBC America. Read more…
1) “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), 3, 6 and 9 p.m., E. Each Christmas Eve, NBC airs this classic. If you can’t wait until then, catch it today. James Stewart (shown here) plays a small-town banker, despairing about his life. A guardian angel offers a tour of a world with or without him. Read more…
1) “The Road” semi-finals, 9 p.m., CBS. After some emotional songs last week, no one was ousted. Now the show dumps two, before the finale. The surviving six — most of them very experienced, all deeply talented — are: Cassidy Daniels (shown here), 25; Cody Hibbard, 32; Billie Jo Jones, 34; Adam Sanders, 36; Britnee Kellogg, 40 and Channing Wilson, 49. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Melissa McCarthy has hosted five times (one is shown here),each time getting an Emmy nomination for best guest actress. She won in 2017 and hasn’t tried again — until now. Starting a three-week string of three new episodes, McCarthy hosts and Dijon is the music guest. Read more…
1) Football, 7 and 8 p.m. ET. Over the next two days, 10 conference-championships will be on national TV. At 7 today, it’s the Sun Belt (Troy-James Madison) on ESPN and Conference USA (Kennesee State-Jacksonville State) on CBS Sports Network. At 8, its American Athletic (North Texas-Tulane) on ABC, Mountain West (Boise State, shown here, and UNLV) on Fox. Read more…
1) “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 8 p.m., NBC. One of TV’s all-time great shows (shown here) brought a confluence of genius. Dr. Seuss’ brilliant book links with Chuck Jones’ witty animation. Add Boris Karloff’s narration and a booming song from Thurl Ravenscroft and you have a true classic. Read more…
1) “Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. Now its NBC’s turn for holiday spectacle. This one is live, with the Rockettes, the tree-lighting and lots of music. That’s from Reba McEntire (who hosts), Halle Bailey (shown here in a previous concert), Gwen Stefani, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Michael Buble, Marc Anthony, New Edition and Kristin Chenowith. Read more…
