Posted Sunday, November 26 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
As the Christmas season arrives, plenty of old-school animated specials come back (yes, I see you, Rudolph!), holiday specials await (Pentatonix, CMA, Disney) and Christmas movies are scattered across the land (mostly on Hallmark and Lifetime).
CBS offers up some hilarious nostalgia courtesy of Carol Burnett celebrating the 50th anniversary of the debut of her show this Sunday while the network airs a Bruno Mars special Wednesday.
RELATED: My interview with Carol Burnett earlier this year
And on Monday, E! retires "Fashion Police" three years after Joan Rivers died. The show was never the same without her.
MONDAY
"Kevin Can Wait" 8 p.m. CBS — As part of a security job, Kevin goes undercover as a janitor at a car dealership, but he accidentally sells a car to a customer and finds himself on track to win top salesman of the month.
"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — In a surprise, Atlanta's Jon Mero was the first one cut last week.
"Fashion Police" 8 p.m. E! (series finale) — A farewell to the long-running show that was once Joan Rivers' home.
"CMA Country Christmas" 8 p.m. ABC — Reba McEntire hosts and performs on the eighth annual event, which also features Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, CB30, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, CeCe Winans, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Young.
"Dog & Beth" 9 p.m. A&E — Duane "Dog" Chapman and his wife Beth, return for an emotional two-hour special documenting Beth's battle with throat cancer.
"Scorpion" 10 p.m. CBS — As Cabe's trial looms over Team Scorpion, a simple case goes sideways when they help a father and his daughter whose plane crashes nearby.
"Meth Storm" 10 p.m. HBO — With unparalleled access, this documentary follows the war on drugs from both sides of the law.
"A Very Pentatonix Christmas Special" 10:01 p.m. NBC — Pentatonix celebrate the holiday season; and are joined by Jennifer Hudson, Jay Leno and "America's Got Talent" winner Darci Lynne Farmer.
"The Good Doctor" 10:01 p.m. ABC — As part of St. Bonaventure hospital's international humanitarian program, the team takes on the case of a young boy from the Congo who has severe congenital heart anomalies.
TUESDAY
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" 8 p.m. CBS — Burl Ives narrates this animated musical, first telecast in 1964.
"Major Crimes" 9 p.m. TNT— As the case of the St. Joseph's Three leads to its unexpected conclusion, Sharon attempts to balance the case, her family arriving, and her fast approaching wedding to Lt. Andy Flynn.
"This is Us" 9 p.m. NBC — Randall and Beth are faced with a hard choice; and Jack takes Randall on a college tour.
"Who Killed Tupac" 10 p.m. A&E — Benjamin Crump and his team investigate the theory that the East Coast vs West Coast rap rivalry led to Tupac's murder and if Biggie and P. Diddy were involved.
"Damnation" 10 p.m. USA — Negotiations commence between the farmers and the bank. But things turn bloody when Creeley divides the farmers.
"Chicago Med" 10:01 p.m. NBC — Manning goes to extreme measures to help a fearful pregnant woman whose baby is severely underdeveloped.
"Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" 10 p.m. CBS — Shot this year in Shanghai.
WEDNESDAY
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" 3:01 a.m. Amazon (new series) — Rachel Brosnahan ("House of Cards") tries stand-up comedy in the late 1950s in a series by the creator of "The Gilmore Girls."
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS — The Healers have been decimated, but the "solid seven" are showing cracks. Ben is overplaying his hand and is becoming increasingly vulnerable.
"Empire" 8 p.m. Fox — Production comes to a halt on Empire's 20-For-20 when Calvin and Portia, feeling overworked by their new producer, Eddie Barker, call for a strike, leaving Cookie to find a solution to the issue.
"Christmas in Rockefeller Center" 8 p.m. NBC — Brett Eldredge, Jennifer Nettles, Leslie Odom Jr., Pentatonix, Gwen Stefani, and the Tenors are among the performers.
"Dynasty" 9 p.m. the CW — Blake's hopes for a perfect Thanksgiving are ruined when he clashes with both Fallon and Steven. Meanwhile Cristal's challenging houseguest reminds everyone to be grateful for the ties that bind.
"Law & Order: SVU" 9 p.m. NBC — Benson must disclose the secrets of her past to help a rape victim recall the details of one terrible, traumatic night..
"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC — The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan recount their biggest celebrity encounters.
"Star" 9 p.m. Fox — Star's jealousy finally kicks in when Noah and Alex begin spending more time together, both inside and outside of the studio.
"Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo" 10 p.m. CBS — Bruno Mars performs at the Apollo Theater in New York City with his band the Hooligans, and takes to the streets, visiting, singing and entertaining locals.
"Mr. Robot" 10 p.m. FX — Elliot tries to get ghosted.
"Designated Survivor" 10 p.m. ABC — While on a secret mission to Afghanistan, President Kirkman meets with two infamous warlords and must determine whom he can trust to hand over territories to the U.S.
THURSDAY
"The Big Bang Theory " 9 p.m. CBS — Sheldon tries to teach the guys a lesson after they cut him out of a potentially valuable Bitcoin investment.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas " 9 p.m. ABC — Lucy Van Pelt: "I've been kissed by a dog! I have dog germs! Get hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine!"
"Gotham " 8 p.m. Fox — Gordon tries to broker a deal with Penguin that involves Sofia.
"Young Sheldon " 8:30 p.m. Fox — When a NASA representative visits Sheldon's school and dismisses his science, Sheldon is set on a mission to prove him wrong.
"The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration " 9 p.m. ABC — Julianne Hough, Nick Lachey and Jesse Palmer host a holiday celebration that features Ciara, Darius Rucker, Fifth Harmony, Fitz and the Tantrums, Hanson, In Real Life, Jason Derulo and Lea Michele.
"Project Runway " 9 p.m. Lifetime — It's reunion time and surely the twins will get plenty of attention.
"Mom" 9:01 p.m. CBS — When an injury temporarily lands Bonnie in a wheelchair, Christy is forced to take over as building manager and makes a surprising discovery.
"The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All" 10 p.m. A&E (new series) — Erik Menendez discusses the events that led to he and his brother Lyle killing their parents.
FRIDAY
"The Dark" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — Dark is set in a German town in present day where the disappearance of two young children exposes the double lives and fractured relationships among four families.
"Blindspot" 8 p.m. NBC — While Jane struggles to cope with a secret from her past, the team races to prevent an international crisis.
"MacGyer" 8 p.m. CBS — Mac and the team follow a group of Indonesian mercenaries who are transporting a lethal amount of stolen nerve gas in the hopes of tracking them to their dangerous leader.
"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." 8 p.m. ABC (fifth season debut) — Coulson and the team find themselves stranded on a mysterious ship in outer space.
"Hawaii Five-O" 9 p.m. CBS — McGarrett poses as a pilot to investigate the cause of a plane crash that led to the death of a pilot in an air race.
"Blue Bloods" 10 p.m. CBS — As Danny and Baez join a narcotics task force to track down a drug supplier, Baez comes into contact with drugs and is soon fighting for her life from an accidental overdose.
WEEKEND
"Four Christmases and a Wedding" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — A Christmas miracle: Judge Reinhold gets work!
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC — Saoirse Ronan hosts.
"The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special" 8 p.m. Sunday CBS — Burnett and surviving cast members Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner reminisce.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — So is Sheree seriously dating someone in prison?
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" 10 p.m. Sunday HBO (ninth season finale) — Larry has a scheduling conflict; takes issue with work associates; and hosts a pair of ungrateful houseguests.
"Search Party" 10 p.m. Sunday TBS — The gang is invited to Chappaqua, where they receive the key to the city for finding Chantal.
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