Originally posted Sunday, December 15, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
With Christmas approaching, the networks are churning out specials galore.
Fox has Nick Cannon joking about viral videos on Fox, Kristin Chenowith singing Christmas songs with the Tabernacle choir on PBS, the Brady's celebrating the holidays at their old/new house on HGTV, the Houghs singing and dancing on NBC and Norman Lear re-doing old episodes of "All in the Family and "Good Times" on ABC.
Plus: Guy Pearce helps re-do "A Christmas Carol" on FX, Eddie Murphy returns to "SNL" as a host, CBS highlights adoptions with Idina Menzel, ABC honors Stan Lee and "Survivor," "The Voice" and "The Masked Singer" finish their seasons.
And there’s more: USA ends “Mr. Robot” while CBS does a special prime-time “Price is Right” Sunday.
In streaming, Netflix offers up “The Two Popes” and Apple+ wraps “The Morning Show.”
This covers Monday, December 17 through Sunday December 23, 2019.
MONDAY
"Nick Cannon's Hit Viral Videos " 8 p.m. Fox — Join host Nick Cannon and his special guests, TV personalities Kelly Osbourne and Jeannie Mai, and comedian J.B. Smoove showcase the funniest and most unbelievable viral videos.
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" 8 p.m. ABC (seventh season finale) — Winner is named.
"The Neighborhood" 8 p.m. CBS —The Johnsons' Christmas present for Grover is stolen, Calvin and Dave team up to recover the gift in time for the holiday.
"The Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown" 9 p.m. the CW — A countdown of some holiday commercials, one for each of the 12 days of Christmas.
"His Dark Materials" 9 p.m. HBO — Lyra must use her methods of deception to outwit a formidable foe.
"Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir" 9 p.m. GPB — Kristin Chenoweth joins in.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live After Darth: a Star Wars Special" 10 p.m. ABC— Disney synergy alert: J.J. Abrams and cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Kelly Marie Tran and Keri Russell.
"Bull" 10 p.m. CBS — Bull and the TAC team take a difficult pro bono murder case before the holidays and realize it will take a Christmas miracle to win, as the presiding judge has a grudge against Bull.
"A Very Brady Renovation: A Holiday Edition" 10 p.m. HGTV — Food Network and HGTV join forces with the Brady Bunch cast to throw a heartwarming holiday party at the newly renovated home.
"Holiday With the Houghs" 10 p.m. NBC — Brother and sister choreographers, Derek and Julianne Hough, perform in a holiday dance musical.
TUESDAY
"Ronnie Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America!" 3:01 a.m. Netflix — "The Daily Show" correspondent gets his first Netflix special.
"The Dogs of the Year" 8 p.m. the CW— Join Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner from the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in New York City as they count down the Top 10 dog stories of 2019.
"The Resident" 8 p.m. Fox —On Devon's last day as an intern, he and Conrad are faced with a moral dilemma over a suicidal patient who is in need of a liver transplant.
"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — Gibbs and the team assist Ziva with "the one thing" she said she would need to take care of before returning to her family.
"Empire" 9 p.m. Fox — Cookie becomes frustrated with Lucious, who is struggling to accept their relationship is over.
"FBI" 9 p.m. CBS — A former kidnapping victim is linked to a series of murder that includes the daughter of an NYPD detective.
"Well Groomed" 9 p.m. HBO — Explores the exuberant world of competitive dog grooming and follows the lives of dog owners who are challenging the definition of art.
"The Purge" 9 p.m. USA (second season finale) — As Purge Night rages on, Esme, Ryan, Marcus and Ben fight for their lives and their loved ones.
"The Real Housewives of Orange County" 9 p.m. Bravo (14th season finale) — Follows five real-life women living in an exclusive Southern California enclave, exposing the excitement, extravagance and everyday drama that exists in their glamorous lives.
"The Voice" 9 p.m. NBC (17th season finale) — Jake Hoot, Ricky Duran, Katie Kadan and Rose Short are the finalists.
"Ambitions" 10 p.m. OWN (first season finale) — Stephanie and Amara keep their friends close and enemies closer.
"Treadstone" 10 p.m. USA (first season finale) — Bentley makes a choice; Tara takes action, and Edwards runs into complications.
"The Fentanyl Trail" 10:30 p.m. WSB — Jovita Moore and Justin Farmer host an in-depth look at the drug pipeline to Georgia and what's being done to stop it. Tom Regan does much of of the reporting.
WEDNESDAY
"The Age of A.I." 3:01 a.m. YouTube — This new eight episode series takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of the most transformational technology in the history of humankind with Robert Downey Jr. as host.
"Soundtrack" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (series debut) —A drama that explores the love stories connecting a diverse group of Angelenos through the music that lives inside their hearts and minds.
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS (39th season finale) — Dan Spila was let go last week after yet another instance of inappropriate touching.
"Live in Front of a Studio Audience" 8 p.m ABC — Re-creating episodes of "All in the Family" and "Good Times."
"The Masked Singer" 8 p.m Fox (second season finale) — The three finalists compete for the golden mask trophy.
"Finding the Way Home" 9 p.m. HBO — Spotlights the detriments of living in orphanages through the stories of eight children who were once victims of these lonely, often corrupt institutions.
THURSDAY
"A Christmas Carol" 7:30 p.m. FX — Guy Pearce plays Ebenezer Scrooge in this dark reimagining of a classic story.
"The IHeartRadio Jingle Ball" 8 p.m. the CW — Performers include Taylor Swift (turning 30), Jonas Brothers, Camila Cabello and Halsey.
"The Great American Baking Show" 9 p.m. ABC — First up, "Spice Week" with the bakers challenged to create sweet and savory creations using spices.
"Project Runway" 9:30 a.m. Bravo — The designers must transform a winter wonderland into a wearable wonder by channeling their own holiday memories. Also: a surprise visitor stops by.
FRIDAY
"The Morning Show" 3:01 a.m. Apple_ (first season finale) — Season two is already in production.
"The Two Popes" 3:01 a.m. Netflix — Behind the Vatican walls, Pope Benedict and the future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church. It stars Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce.
"Celebrating Marvel's Stan Lee" 8 p.m. ABC — Stars of the Marvel Universe assemble to celebrate the life and luminous legacy of Stan Lee.
"Global Citizens Prize" 8 p.m. NBC — Performers include Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Sting, Stormzy, and special guests Chris Martin and H.E.R.
"Van Helsing"10 p.m. Syfy (fourth season finale) — The President and Ivory try to decipher what really happened in the Dark Realm.
WEEKEND
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC — Eddie Murphy hosts while Lizzo sings.
"The Price is Right at Night" 8 p.m. Sunday CBS — Dave Boreanaz and the SEAL Team will play for the charity Headstrong Project, which provides mental health treatment for post-9/11 veterans and their families.
"Ray Donovan" 8 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Bunchy, Bridget, and Jim Sullivan need Ray to fix their problems. Smitty and Terry help Ray with detective work.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Cynthia Bailey is ecstatic to continue building her entrepreneurial empire, opening a wine cellar for Atlanta wine enthusiasts
"The Year 2019" 9 p.m. Sunday ABC — Hmm... what will they cover? Trump? Lizzo? The U.S. women's soccer team? Baby Yoda?
"A Home for the Holidays with Idina Menzel" 9 p.m. Sunday CBS— Uplifting adoption stories with Adam Lambert, Ne-Yo and Kelly Rowland.
"Shameless" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Carl accepts his civic duty while Debbie looks for her next payday.
"Married to Medicine" 9:15 p.m. Sunday Bravo (seventh season finale) — Dr. Jackie is in full renovation mode building a brand-new practice and moving into a new home with Curtis.
"Mr. Robot" 10 p.m. Sunday USA (series finale) — Elliot goes to the Washington Township power point.
"The L Word" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Shane goes to a bar and gets embroiled with its employees.
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