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…
It’s not easy to fight gods and monsters, you know. It takes time and trouble.
And it takes time to be a fan of the demigods: “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” (shown here) finally starts its second season Wednesday (Dec. 10) on Disney+ … a full two years after the first season arrived.
Consider one of the show’s young heroes. “Annabeth was very patient with trying to go on a quest,” said Leah Sava Jeffries (left), who plays her. She’d been training for five years, before getting her chance.
That same patience has been required of the fans and the people involved. Walker Scobell (center) had just turned 13 when he was cast as Percy; his 17th birthday (Jan. 5) will arrive while this second season is airing. 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…
The word “hope” gets tossed around easily during the holidays.
It’s in the title (“Hope of The Season”) of this year’s Tabernacle Choir concert, which airs at 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 24 on PBS and often on cable. When the concert reaches its peak — 360 voices doing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” — it resonates with hope and joy.
But there are deeper levels here. By coincidence, this year’s soloist (Broadway star Ruthie Ann Miles) has a daughter named Hope. “Our daughter was named after a terrible family tragedy,” she said. 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) “American Masters,” 9 p.m. Friday, PBS. On the eve of his 100th birthday, here’s a joyous tour of Dick Van Dyke’s life (so far). His elastic face and body were the core of a nightclub act. CBS signed him and couldn’t find a spot — until he linked with writer-producer Carl Reiner. From the brilliant “Dick Van Dyke Show” to “Mary Poppins” (shown here) and beyond, he’s been a delight. 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…
We might have to order some extra drinks and chips for New Year’s Eve.
This year, ABC’s broadcast will stretch over eight hours. It will continue until 4 a.m. ET, 90 minutes longer than previous years, and add a stop in Chicago.
That’s in the latest version of “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” from the late Dick Clark’s production company. Ryan Seacrest (Clark’s chosen successor) anchors from Times Square, alongside Rita Ora.
Those New York moments tend to have live performances, with most of the others taped in advance. The New York performers haven’t yet been announced, but ABC has set 32 acts so far. Read more…
Best-bets fo March 24: Doc, Daredevil & 500th “NCIS” 
Best-bets for March 23: clever comedies, plus bowlers 
Best-bets for March 22: a big, busy night 
