Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
This is the quietest week of the year for TV between Christmas and New Year's. There are just a handful of new programs and no debuts or season enders.
Most notably, Netflix is bringing back the fourth season of "Black Mirror" Friday while TNT celebrates the 100th episode of "Major Crimes."
And there are host shifts at three different New Year's specials Sunday. Andy Cohen takes over for Kathy Griffin with Anderson Cooper on CNN. Jesse Watters and Kennedy replace former Fox News host Eric Bolling and "The Five" co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle on Fox News. And Fox replaces Pitbull with the ubiquitous Steve Harvey. Ryan Seacrest stays put on ABC. NBC is skipping this season so Carson Daly stays home.
This covers Monday December 25 through December 31, 2017.
CHRISTMAS DAY
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" 8 p.m. NBC — The original animated version, followed by the Jim Carrey live action film.
"American Dad" 8 p.m. TBS — When the Smiths are too busy preparing for Christmas to pay attention to Roger, Roger turns his attention to Steve's friend Snot.
"Call the Midwife" 9 p.m. GPB — The midwives battle snow, ice, power cuts and frozen pipes in order to provide patient care during the coldest winter in 300 years.
"MTV Floribama Shore" 10 p.m. MTV — As Aimee spirals deeper into despair, the housemates help her recognize her true self-worth.
"Tarantula" 10 p.m. TNT — When Echo is wronged by a wealthy fool, he is sent a very fancy gift that instantly proves itself a burden, and sends him on a journey to rid himself of it.
TUESDAY
"90 Day Fiance: Molly & Luis: Our Journey So Far" 8 p.m. TLC — A review of Woodstock's Molly Hopkins courtship and marriage to Luis Mendez.
"40th Anniversary Kennedy Center Honors" 9 p.m. CBS — Honorees: Carmen de Lavallade, singer Gloria Estefan, hip hop artist and actor LL Cool J, producer Norman Lear and musician Lionel Richie.
"Major Crimes" 9 p.m. TNT (100th episode) — A surprise death in the law enforcement community seems to be the work of escaped serial killer, Phillip Stroh.
"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" 9 p.m. Bravo — Teddi's job as an accountability coach leads to questions amongst the group.
"Drop the Mic" 10:30 p.m. TBS — Pentatonix vs. Bell Biv Devoe; Padma Lakshimi vs. Randy Jackson.
WEDNESDAY
"The Librarians" 8 p.m. TNT — When Baird goes after Nicole Noone in an attempt to repair her rift with the Library, she ends up joining Nicole in a mission to retrieve a dangerous artifact before it falls into the hands of Russian grave robbers.
"Little Women Atlanta" 8:50 p.m. Lifetime — Juicy is presented with a new business venture; Monie makes a final plea to her ex in hopes of getting her son to move to Atlanta
"Knightfall" 10 p.m. History — A pagan helps Landry search his past; Gawain conducts a murder investigation; Princess Isabella is betrayed.
"Happy!" 10 p.m. Syfy — Sax and Happy follow their fortunes to Chinatown while Blue's sister shows up seeking revenge for the murder of her sons.
THURSDAY
"Can't Stop Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story " 8 p.m. Fox — A reunion featuring artists from Bad Boy Records, the popular hip-hop label. The documentary celebrates the history and impact of Bad Boy throughout the years and follows Sean Combs as he prepares for the reunion concert.
"Van Helsing" 9 p.m. Syfy — While the rest of the group fight for survival, Axel and Scarlett defend a mountain stronghold against a relentless foe; at the same time, Doc makes a medical discovery that could change everything.
"Great News" 9:30 p.m. NBC — Carol is devastated to learn that her parents are getting a divorce after 70 years of marriage.
"Damnation" 10 p.m. USA — Creeley meets his master on an exclusive hunting retreat, but finds there is more than one game at play here. Seth infiltrates a nearby factory.
"Top Chef" 10 p.m. Bravo — The chefs channel their inner child to make kid menu classics.
FRIDAY
"Black Mirror" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (fourth season debut) — The first episode: after fearing the worst when her daughter suddenly disappears and is returned safely, a desperate mother (Rosemarie DeWitt) is willing to try anything to prevent it from happening again.
"The Wrong Nanny" 8 p.m. Lifetime Movie Network — Stella Armstrong hires Blake, a seemingly perfect nanny, to help with her twin baby boys, only to discover that the young woman is the daughter she gave up for adoption at birth.
"Bring It!" 9 p.m. Lifetime — Dianna announces she will be taking only five Dancing Dolls to a national competition at the end of the season.
"The Rap Game" 10:02 p.m. Lifetime — Dupri gives the young artists a lesson on teamwork and throws them into the center of the ring at the UniverSoul Circus.
WEEKEND
"Web Cam Girls" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — Hoping to spend the holiday relaxing, a travel writer takes a traditional Christmas vacation for the first time.
"Fox's New Year's Eve With Steve Harvey" 8 p.m.-10 p.m., 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sunday Fox — Neil Diamond will be on hand to lead the world's largest sing-along, while Celine Dion, the Backstreet Boys, Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey and Flo Rida will also perform.
" Dick Clark's Prime-time New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest" 8 p.m.-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.-1:09 a.m. Sunday ABC — Nick Jonas and Sugarland perform on Times Square. Ciara hosts pre-taped LA. festivities which includes Kelly Clarkson, Shawn Mendes and Charlie Puth.
"New Year's Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen" 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sunday CNN —Andy Cohen takes over for Kathy Griffin, fired over her anti-Trump art piece featuring a fake severed Trump head.
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