By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed Dec. 14, 2014
Stephen Colbert, the fictional version we've seen on Comedy Central the past nine years, is gone on Thursday. The "real' version will appear next year, probably late summer, on CBS, taking the place of David Letterman, whose last day is May 20.
And USA's guilty pleasure "White Collar" ends its five-year run and the fate of Neal Caffrey will be sealed forever on the same night.
On Wednesday, CBS will name of the winner of the 29th edition of "Survivor," a season with a lot of blindsides but a relative lack of compelling personalities. And on Tuesday, "The Voice" ends its seventh season with Matt McAndrew the odds-on favorite to win. Other reality shows finishing their seasons: Fox's "MasterChef Junior" and "Hell's Kitchen" Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, and "Amazing Race" on CBS Friday.
Showtime finishes up the fourth season of "Homeland" Sunday, along with the first season of "The Affair." Both shows will return with new seasons next year.
This covers Monday, Dec. 15, to Sunday, Dec. 21.
MONDAY
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" 8 p.m. ABC — A nostalgic wonderland with real pine trees in Owensboro, Ky.
"The Voice " 8 p.m. NBC — The finals.
"American Country Countdown Awards " 8 p.m. Fox — Repackaged but still pointless.
"2 Broke Girls " 8 p.m. CBS — Caroline and Max decide to get a loan so they can mass-produce their T-shirts.
"Ascension " 9 p.m. Syfy (new series) — A covert U.S. space mission launches in the 1960's sending folks on a century-long voyage aboard Ascension to populate a new world.
"Major Crimes " 9 p.m. TNT — A gang banger is acquitted of murder and released from custody.
"Scorpion " 9 p.m. CBS — On Christmas Eve, a boy is trapped in a beach-side cave, where the rising tide threatens his life.
"Sorority Sisters " 9 p.m. VH1 — Categorized as a "VH1 Special," this reality show focuses on several Atlanta women who were in sororities.
" Fake Off " 10 p.m. truTV (first season finale) — This competition show has been given a second season.
" State of Affairs " 10 p.m. NBC — President Payton has questions for Nick Vera after part of the convoy attack report is leaked.
" NCIS: Los Angeles " 10 p.m. CBS — A burglary at a cybersecurity company; members of the team discuss their holiday plans.
TUESDAY
"MasterChef Junior" 8 p.m. Fox (second season finale) — Logan vs. Samuel.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" 8 p.m. ABC — "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" - Charlie Brown.
"Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas" 8 p.m. NBC — Buddy (Jim Parsons) goes to New York to meet the father he never knew he had.
"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — The team consults with three imprisoned cyberterrorists when the city's Internet is shutdown.
"The Voice " 9 p.m. NBC (seventh season finale) — An all-guy's finale.
"Chrisley Knows Best " 10 p.m. USA (second season finale) — Julie and Todd throw a charity event for breast cancer to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
"Person of Interest " 10 p.m. CBS — In hope of forcing the machine into a meeting, Samaritan takes control of New York and erases crime.
"The Real World " 10 p.m. MTV (30th season debut) — Strangers move into a Chicago loft, unaware that people from their pasts will move in with them.
Get More:
The Real World (Season 29), Full Episodes
WEDNESDAY
"Hell's Kitchen" 8 p.m. Fox (13th season finale) — The remaining chefs prepare a dinner service, after which two contestants advance to the final.
"Michael Buble's Christmas in New York" 8 p.m. NBC — As if it's 1979, Barbra Streisand and Miss Piggy are among Buble's guests.
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS (29th season three-hour finale) — If Natasha makes the final three, she's a shoe-in to win.
"WWE Tribute to the Troops" 8 p.m. USA — WWE wrestlers entertain troops; musical performances.
"The Sing Off" 9 p.m. NBC (fifth season debut) — Six a cappella groups compete for a $50,000 first-place prize.
"Ascension" 9 p.m. Syfy (first season finale) — The Ascension passengers are in for many surprises when the selection of families eligible for birthing rights is announced.
"American Horror Story" 10 p.m. FX — The death of a freak sparks troubling behavior in Pepper; Elsa reveals the history of the show.
"Chrisley Knows Best" 10 p.m. USA (special) — The Chrisleys gather around the tree and look at footage from the second season.
"Top Chef" 10 p.m. Bravo —The chefs create dishes inspired by the literary work of notable New England authors. Watch out for returnee George. He could end up in the finals.
THURSDAY
"IHeartRadio Jingle Ball" 8 p.m. the CW — A concert at Madison Square Garden includes performances by Taylor Swift and Iggy Azalea.
"The Biggest Loser" 8 p.m. NBC — The remaining contestants travel to Hawaii where they have an intense workout on the beach.
"People Magazine Awards" 9 p.m. NBC — Celebrities and musicians celebrate the year in pop culture; performers include 5 Seconds of Summer.
"Mom" 8:31 p.m. — When Bonnie and Christy are invited to join Violet's therapy session, family secrets emerge.
"Elementary " 10 p.m. CBS — Sherlock and Joan team up with the NYPD to investigate the murder of a police officer.
"Conan To Go " 10 p.m. TBS— A clip special!
"The Colbert Report " 11:30 p.m. Comedy Central (series finale) — A bored Sherlock forces his way into helping Joan search for a missing woman.
FRIDAY
"The Amazing Race" 8 p.m. CBS (25th season finale) — This has been the lowest-rated season to date, but being moved to Friday didn't help.
"Christmas in Washington " 8 p.m. TNT — Aloe Blacc, Hunter Hayes, Rita Ora and Christina Perri perform in the holiday concert.
WEEKEND
"Christmas Icetastrophe" 9 tonight Syfy — An asteroid strike in a small town unleashes ice crystals, threatening to freeze anything in its path.
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 tonight NBC — Amy Adams hosts.
"The Librarians" 8 p.m. Sunday TNT — The librarians must rescue Santa and help him accomplish the secret purpose of Christmas.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Will Apollo and Phaedra make up before he goes into prison?
"The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC — A special sing-along version, with lyrics and all included.
"Homeland" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime (fourth season finale) — Carrie and Saul returning to the U.S. and investigating what she saw in Islamabad.
"The Mentalist" 9:30 p.m. Sunday CBS —The team investigates a murder connected to a counterfeit diamond operation.
"The Affair" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime (first season finale) — The disappearance of Whitney causes Helen to scrutinize Noah and his relationship with Alison and her family.
"CSI" 10:30 p.m. Sunday CBS — As the CSIs investigate an apparent hit-and-run, they are led into the world of aeronautics.
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