Posted Sunday, December 17, 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, the usual Sunday night series are not introducing new episodes. Instead, you'll get your usual array of classic films such as "It's a Wonderful Life" (NBC), "A Christmas Story" (TNT, TBS) and "Love Actually (CMT).
Otherwise, a handful of shows finish up their seasons including "The Voice" (Tuesday) and "Survivor" (Wednesday), plus the returns of both Netflix's "Fuller House" and "Peaky Blinders." And "Major Crimes" hits a happy 100th episode as the series finale approaches.
And the Falcons gets the "Monday Night Football" spotlight yet again, available on both ESPN and WSB-TV for those without cable TV. This means WSB-TV had to push back the season finale of "The Great Christmas Light Fight" back to 2:07 a.m. while the ABC "Year in Memoriam" special will air in the wee hours of Tuesday night.
This covers Monday, December 18 through Christmas Eve, 2017.
MONDAY
"Monday Night Football" 8 p.m. ESPN, WSB — The Atlanta Falcons try to solidify a playoff spot facing off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — The live finale part one.
"Agnelli" 8 p.m. HBO — A profile of Gianni Agnelli (1921-2003), an Italian industrialist, jet-setter and grandson of Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli, features remarks by family, friends and rivals, and archival footage and photographs.
"Kevin Can Wait" 8 p.m. CBS — While Vanessa and the Gable family gather around the Christmas tree, Vanessa and Kevin reminisce about their first patrol together.
"The Hollywood Walk of Fame Honors" 9 p.m. the CW — "Criminal Minds" star Joe Montegna hosts with his daughter Gia.
"Gunpowder" 10 p.m. HBO (new series) — A three-part series recounting the Gunpowder Plot in early 17th-century England, when a group of Catholics conspired to overthrow King James I.
"Scorpion" 10 p.m. CBS — On Christmas Eve, when Walter chooses work over spending quality time with his friends, he falls down the stairs and hits his head, and as he lays unconscious, he enters a dream world where Team Scorpion never existed.
"Ellen's Game of Games" 10:01 p.m. NBC — Contestants compete for prizes in a series of games taken from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" 2 a.m. WSB (fifth season finale) — The Falcons game pushes this show into the wee hours.
TUESDAY
"A Home For the Holidays with Josh Groban" 8 p.m. CBS — Josh Groban, Kelly Clarkson, Kacey Musgraves and Kane Brown perform during this annual event to raise awareness about adoption and foster care.
"The Year: 2017" 9 p.m. ABC — A look back at the year's historic and memorable moments in politics, pop culture and more. Included: President Trump's first year in office; and the #MeToo movement.
"Major Crimes" 9 p.m. TNT (100th episode) — While working two seemingly connected murders, the division suddenly uncovers a series of sexual assaults against servers from Tackles.
"CBS46 Surprise Squad Special" 9 p.m. WGCL — A compilation of charitable things the station did over the year for residents of metro Atlanta.
"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" 9 p.m. Bravo (eighth season debut) — Lisa Vanderpump introduces her friend Dorit Kemsley, whose permanent houseguest is music star Boy George.
"The Voice" 9 p.m. NBC (13th season finale) — Chloe Kohanski is the favorite to win.
"The Long Road Home" 10 p.m. NBC (first season finale) — The climactic season finale.
"I Am Sam Kinison" 10 p.m. Spike — A life that ranged from the restrained to the excessive, the comic to the tragic, the sublime to the ridiculous.
"Who Killed Tupac?" 10 p.m. A&E (season finale) — Benjamin analyzes the authenticity of a recently revealed mystery confession letter.
WEDNESDAY
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS (35th season finale) — Likable Devon has the best shot at winning at this point though Chrissy has arguably played the best game.
"The Librarians" 8 p.m. TNT — When Santa takes Flynn, Baird and Jenkins on his first vacation in centuries, he leaves his beloved sleigh in the care of the Librarians.
"Little Women Atlanta" 9 p.m. Lifetime — Monie finds herself caught in the middle after Juicy and Morlin's blowup at Tanya's baby shower.
"Vikings" 9 p.m. History — Ivar meets his match in Bishop Heahmund, while Floki returns to Kattegat, and Bjorn receives a lavish welcome in North Africa.
THURSDAY
"Peaky Blinders" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (fourth season debut) — When he receives a mysterious letter on Christmas Eve, Thomas Shelby realizes that the Peaky Blinders are in danger of annihilation.
"Great News " 8 p.m. NBC — Carol finds herself in a reverse "Christmas Carol" during which she learns that she has too much Christmas spirit and is driving everyone around her insane.
"Inside the Actor's Studio " 8 p.m. Bravo — Kristen Wiig is the focus.
"Young Sheldon" 8:31 p.m. CBS — George Sr. strikes a deal with Sheldon to tutor Georgie when poor grades threaten to keep him from playing football.
"Mom" 9:01 p.m. CBS — After their home is robbed at Christmastime, Christy and Bonnie's hunt for the thief leads them to an unlikely door.
"S.W.A.T." 10 p.m. CBS — Hondo and the SWAT team are forced to work over their Christmas vacation when a drug cartel is out for blood after their cache of gold bars is stolen.
"Top Chef" 10 p.m. Bravo — In a Sudden Death Quickfire based on the iconic Denver omelet, the intensity in the kitchen is egg-ceptional as one chef completely cracks under the pressure.
FRIDAY
"Fuller House" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (second half, season three) — Nine more episodes, addressing some of the cliffhangers from the first half of the season.
"Dope" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — A look at the war on drugs from the perspective of the dealers, the users and the cops.
"Blindspot" 8 p.m. NBC — As the team works together to take down a foe, Jane and Weller face a toxic secret that threatens to tear them apart.
"I Love Lucy Christmas Special" 9 p.m. CBS — Colorized versions of 1956's "Christmas Episode" and 1955's "Fashion Show." First, the Ricardos recall how their lives have changed since little Ricky was born. Then, Lucy convinces Ricky to allow her to spend up to $100 on a dress.
WEEKEND
"Christmas Getaway" 8 tonight Hallmark — Hoping to spend the holiday relaxing, a travel writer takes a traditional Christmas vacation for the first time.
"Love Actually" marathon, noon-3 a.m. Sunday CMT— Five consecutive airings of this now classic Christmas movie.
"A Christmas Story" 8 p.m. Sunday TBS, TNT (24 hour marathon) — Like we even need to tell you this? TBS has been doing this for 20 years!
"Beauty and the Beast" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC — "I want much more than this provincial life."
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