Originally posted Sunday, December 9, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Christmas shopping days are waning and the networks are carting out the specials, from “CMA Country Christmas” on ABC to a Pentatonix-led NBC special to NBC holiday versions of “Little Big Shots,” “Ellen’s Game of Games” and “Hollywood Game Night.”
And Netflix gives us a fourth season of “Fuller House” on Friday while VH1 gives us a fourth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars.”
This covers Monday, December 10 through Sunday, December 16, 2018.
MONDAY
"CMA Country Christmas" 8 p.m. ABC — Reba McEntire hosts the ninth annual special, which features Tony Bennett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith, Lindsey Stirling, the Isaacs and Brett Young.
"The Neighborhood" 8 p.m. CBS — When Malcolm is robbed and won't reveal the culprit, Calvin and Dave team up to crack the case of the missing sneakers.
"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — The top 8 perform.
"Magnum P.I." 9 p.m. CBS— Magnum must help Rick's crush after her illegal poker game is robbed by masked gunmen.
"Bull" 10 p.m. CBS — Bull agrees to have TAC represent a priest who is charged in a fatal hit-and-run after he's found behind the wheel of the church van involved in the crash.
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" 10 p.m. ABC — The most spectacular and over-the-top Christmas displays in America are spotlighted.
"Pentatonix: The Not So Silent Night" 10 p.m. NBC —The renowned a cappella vocal group celebrates the season with music. From classic tracks to modern jams, this one-hour holiday special features a variety of performances and celebrity guests.
TUESDAY
"The Conners" 8 p.m. ABC — When Becky helps Harris keep a secret from Darlene, it opens up a can of worms that causes a rift between the two sisters.
"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — The team's holiday plans are put on hold when the murder investigation of a Navy veteran includes the discovery of a newborn baby who has no identification and no apparent ties to a family.
"Black-ish" 9 p.m. ABC — The Johnsons have a Christmas tradition of going to the movies, but they disagree on what to see.
"FBI" 9 p.m. CBS — An alt-right provocateur is murdered after giving a speech at a university in New York City.
"Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas" 9 p.m. NBC —"America's Got Talent" season 12 champion Darci Lynne Farmer celebrates the holidays Oklahoma style with special guests Kristin Chenoweth, Toby Keith, Hunter Hayes, Pentatonix and violinist Lindsey Stirling.
"Momentum Generation" 10 p.m. HBO — In 1980s Hawaii, teen surfers formed a community changing the face of competitive surfing forever.
"The Rookie" 10 p.m. ABC — Officer Nolan and Officer Bishop respond to a silent alarm call at a local convenience store where two men are attempting to rob the place
"Hollywood Game Night" 10 p.m. NBC — Jane invites viewers home for the holidays in this special holiday edition. Her home is completely transformed and celebrity guests tackle an array of holiday-themed games, including "Hold My Balls," "Song Sung Wrong" and "Where Ya Goin'.
WEDNESDAY
"Ellen's Game of Games" 8 p.m. NBC — Ellen mixes laughably naughty with playfully nice in this special holiday edition. Games include "It's a Wonderful Wife," "Danger Word," "Blindfolded Musical Packages," "Dizzy Dasher," "Know or Go" and "Hot Hands."
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS — Will others be targeted besides Christian this week?
"Little Big Shots" 9 p.m. NBC — The Steve Harvey-hosted series returns to celebrate the holiday season with fan favorite acts that include music powerhouses like Angelica Hale and Miles Caton, the adorable best friends Buddy and Reagan, and surprises that are sure to inspire holiday cheer.
"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC — Hayley wants to give the family a Christmas gift they will never forget if she can just figure out the perfect time.
"SEAL Team" 9:01 p.m. CBS — The hunt for Andres Doza comes to a head when the SEAL Team makes one last ditch effort to find and capture the leader of one of the most powerful and lethal drug cartels in Mexico.
"A Million Little Things" 10 p.m. ABC — With the holidays approaching, Delilah struggles with telling Sophie and Danny about her pregnancy.
"Criminal Minds" 10 p.m. CBS — Prentiss faces her past when the BAU is sent to investigate the murders of prominent businessmen, all of whom are missing their hearts.
THURSDAY
"Supernatural" 8 p.m. the CW — Sam and Dean enlist the help of their pal Garth to gain inside information on what Michael may be planning.
"Superstore" 8 p.m. NBC — Glenn drives Amy crazy with a new, over-the-top training system.
"The Great American Holiday Baking Show" 9 p.m. ABC — The bakers make decadent and delicious cookies and breads.
"Top Chef" 9 p.m. Bravo —A very pregnant Gail Simmons asks the chefs to feed her cravings in a special Quickfire delivery.
"Mom" 9:01 p.m. CBS — Christy's search for a Secret Santa gift leads her to discover Adam has been hiding something from Bonnie.
"Murphy Brown" 9:30 p.m. CBS — A disillusioned Avery seeks career inspiration from his extended family at "Murphy in the Morning," as the team tries to salvage a major story that hinges on a source in the Middle East who has gone silent.
"Nightflyers" 10 p.m. Syfy (first season finale) — New orders leave the Nightflyer and its passengers hanging in the balance.
FRIDAY
"The Fix" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — In each episode Jimmy Carr, along with two permanent team captains - Katherine Ryan and D.L. Hughley - host guest comics and experts in taking one massive issue facing the world and attempting to solve it.
"Fuller House" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (fourth season) — The new season picks up with Steve (Scott Weinger) giving up on a dream job in Los Angeles to return to San Francisco to focus on his relationship with DJ (Candace Cameron Bure).
"Fresh Off the Boat" 8 p.m. ABC — Eddie informs Jessica that he wants to spend Christmas with friend Nicole in New York, but Jessica insists that tradition prevails and he needs to spend the holiday with the family.
"Last Man Standing" 8 p.m. Fox —Mike finds getting Ed a special Christmas present is easier said than done.
"RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" 8 p.m. VH1 (fourth season debut) — Monét X Change, Monique Heart, Jasmine Masters, Trinity Taylor, Naomi Smalls, Farrah Moan, Valentina, Gia Gunn, and Manila Luzon are all back to compete for a coveted spot in the All Stars Hall of Fame.
"Child Support" 9 p.m. ABC — Tammy of Anaheim, Cal., and Trisha of Edgewood, N.M., each try to answer 10 questions correctly in order to win the ultimate prize of $200,000.
"Hell's Kitchen" 9 p.m. Fox — Chef Ramsay challenges the nine remaining chefs to prepare authentic Chinese dishes and each chef must crack open fortune cookies to reveal their ingredients for the challenge.
WEEKEND
"Christmas Pen Pals" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — Hannah Morris signs up for Christmas Cupid after being broken up before Christmas.
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC — Matt Damon hosts.
"The iHeart Jingle Ball 2018" 8 p.m. Sunday the CW — Shawn Mendes, Cardi B. and Camilla Cabello headline the holiday music event.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo —A newly pregnant Porsha works at Dennis' restaurant to win over his mother's approval.
"Outlander" 8 p.m. Sunday Starz — Only thing we know is the title: "Down the Rabbit Hole."
"God Friended Me" 8:30 p.m. Sunday CBS —The God Account sends Miles the name of the drunk driver who killed his mother 17 years earlier, leading Cara and Rakesh to help him face the worst moment of his life in order to move forward
"NCIS Los Angeles" 9:30 p.m. Sunday CBS — The NCIS team is joined by NCIS Special Agent Nicole DeChamps after a Marine reservist with a history of PTSD disappears following a drunk and disorderly altercation.
"Dirty John" 10 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Debra confronts John in the present, while we learn more about Arlane's past.
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