This is posted on Monday, December 12, 2016 by Rodney Ho on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Christmas is approaching so you'll see light fights on ABC, Pentatonix Christmas carols on NBC, more Hallmark movies and classic SNL holiday skits on NBC.
Both "The Voice" and "Survivor" close shop on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. But they will be back for spring editions.
"Nashville" returns on CMT on Thursday after a run on ABC and Fox hopes to have "Empire"-like magic with Atlanta's "Star," which gets a preview Wednesday. Another show that switched network returns for a 23rd season Monday: "America's Next Top Model" on VH1 from its former home at the CW.
Amazon on Friday also brings back season two of its alternative universe show "Man in the High Castle," which somehow feels appropriate today.
This covers Monday, December 12 through Sunday, December 18, 2016.
MONDAY
"The Great Christmas Light Fight" 8 p.m. ABC — Four families showcase a Magic Kingdom-inspired display in Lakeview, N.Y.
"Kevin Can Wait" 8 p.m. CBS — Kevin volunteers to help Mott and his seven kids prepare for the holidays while Mott's wife is away.
"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — Atlanta's Aaron Gibson was cut last week. Finalists are Josh Gallagher, Sundance Head, We McDonald and Billy Gilman.
"Billboard Women in Music 2016" 9 p.m. Lifetime — Hailee Steinfeld hosts this event honoring the year's most successful women in music. Honorees include: Madonna; Andra Day; Shania Twain; Halsey; Meghan Trainor; Maren Morris; Kesha; and Alessia Cara.
"Mars" 9 p.m. NGC — The crew deal with overwhelming psychological pressures; scientists examine the impact of extreme isolation.
"2 Broke Girls" 9 p.m. CBS — When a hurricane approaches, Caroline fears a big divorce party she's planning for a wealthy couple will get canned.
"America's Next Top Model" 9 p.m. VH1 (23rd season debut) — Aspiring models compete for a chance to break into the business in this runaway hit.
"Scorpion" 10 p.m. CBS — Walter's forced to swim through the deadly La Brea Tar Pits in order to save a woman who's trapped in the tar before she runs out of oxygen.
"Timeless" 10:01 p.m. NBC — A shocking turn during the American Revolution causes the trio to question whether they're fighting on the wrong side.
TUESDAY
"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — The NCIS team tracks evidence from the murder of a Navy captain to Ducky's deceased mother.
"The Middle" 8 p.m. ABC —Christmas looms, as Sue keeps a secret from the family.
"The Voice" 9 p.m. NBC (11th season finale) — Favorites to win: either Sundance Head or Billy Gilman.
"Bull" 9 p.m. CBS — Bull confronts his past and returns to his childhood home when he defends an accused arsonist.
"Fresh Off the Boat" 9 p.m. ABC— Evan is accidentally left home alone when the family goes to a movie.
"Good Behavior" 9 p.m. TNT — Letty returns to her hometown with a new plan to gain custody of her son, with help from Javier.
"Rock the Troops" 9 p.m. Spike — Military men and women are honored in this tribute concert, featuring performances and appearances from Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Keegan Michael-Key, Rob Riggle, Scott Eastwood, Terry Crews; Nick Jonas, Flo Rida, Tenacious D, Lynyrd Skynrd.
"NCIS: New Orleans" 10 p.m. CBS — The team suspect foul play when a Marine corporal and amateur race-car driver is involved in a fatal crash.
"Shooter" 10 p.m. USA — Bob Lee locates the bullet from the assassination, which leads him to a radical militia group and Isaac.
"Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" 10 p.m. A&E — Leah meets with a former parishioner, who details how her ties to the church impacted her relationship with her son.
WEDNESDAY
"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS (two-hour 33rd season finale) — Given this unpredictable season, it's hard to say who might even be in the final three.
"Empire" 8 p.m. Fox — Cookie organizes a free park concert in order to help broaden Angelo's mass appeal.
"The Top 12 Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time" 8 p.m. the CW — You know "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story" will be there. But what else? Dean Cain hosts.
"A Pentatonix Christmas!" 8 p.m. NBC — Vocal group Pentatonix performs favorite holiday tunes as well as modern songs. Appearing: Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson.
"WWE Tribute to the Troops" 8 p.m. USA — Celebrities join WWE stars including Big Show, Mark Henry and Charlotte.
"Duck Dynasty" 9 p.m. A&E — A tracking challenge sees Jase and Si compete to see who can capture Willie and Jep.
"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC — A fancy holiday gala at school finds Manny and Luke trying to avoid a disastrous outcome thanks to a texting mistake.
"Star" 9 p.m. Fox (new series) — Drama shot in Atlanta about three young women who form a group and battle to make a splash in the music industry begins.
"SNL Christmas" 9 p.m. NBC — Best Christmas sketches of years' past. I'm sure Steve Martin's classic Christmas wishes will be part of this.
"Vikings" 9 p.m. History — Ragnar and Ivar deal with an issue involving their crew; Bjorn has a surprising reunion.
"Black-ish" 9"31 p.m. ABC — Dre's determined to have the best Christmas ever in light of Zoey being college-bound.
"Designated Survivor" 10 p.m. ABC — Shocking information related to the Capitol bombing case gives President Kirkman reason to suspect there could be a traitor in the White House.
"Don't Be Tardy" 10 p.m. Bravo (fifth season finale) — Kim receives a diagnosis about her heart.
"Incorporated" 10 p.m. USA — An executive from a rival company covertly offers to divulge valuable secrets.
"Rectify" 10 p.m. Sundance (series finale) — Daniel envisions what his new life could be and begins to appreciate the progress he's made; and Janet commiserates with a surprising confidante.
THURSDAY
"The Big Bang Theory " 8 p.m. CBS — When everyone must gather at the hospital for the arrival of the Wolowitz's baby, Amy's annual birthday present gets interrupted.
"Alone " 9 p.m. History — Nine survivalists venture deeper into Patagonia, where one suffers a serious injury.
"The Great American Baking Show " 9 p.m. ABC — The contestants are tasked with baking meringue pies, recreating one of Mary's holiday recipes and cooking hors d'oeuvre tartlets.
"Project Runway" 9 p.m. Lifetime — Part 1 of the two-part Season 15 finale features actress-singer Zendaya as guest judge.
"Nashville" 9 p.m. CMT (sneak preview on new network) — Rayna and Deacon adjust to Maddie's return home and dealing with Highway 65's financial struggles.
"Mom" 9:01 p.m. CBS — Christy and Bonnie return to illegal activities, prompting Adam to question their morality.
"Top Chef" 10 p.m. Bravo — The chefs divide into teams to compete in a "mise en place" race.
"What Would You Do?" 10 p.m. ABC — It's the holiday edition!
FRIDAY
"Call Me Francis" 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — A 4 part biographical miniseries that chronicles Pope Francis' life, his controversial political leanings, his remarkable humanitarian work and his ascent to Papacy starring Rodrigo de la Serna, Mercedes Morán and Muriel Santa Ana.
"Man in the High Castle" 3:01 a.m. Amazon (second season debut) — Season two resumes with Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos) facing the consequences of her decision to betray the Resistance and allow Joe Blake (Luke Kleintank), a suspected Nazi agent, to escape the Pacific States with a film originally bound for the Man in the High Castle.
"11Alive Community Service Awards" 8 p.m. WXIA — Coverage of the annual event, which salutes 11 community volunteers.
"Hell's Kitchen" 8 p.m. Fox — The newly formed teams are presented with their first challenge, which is cooking sliders for three special guest judges.
"MacGyver" 8 p.m. CBS — Riley mysteriously disappears and hacks into the NSA and MacGyver and Jack search for her using a microwave and a power strip.
"Hawaii Five-O" 9 p.m. CBS — Five-0 races to Mexico where Chin puts his life on the line to rescue his niece Sara from kidnappers.
"The Exorcist" 9:01 p.m. Fox — The demon tries to destroy Angela Rance and her family and Marcus and Tomas try to save them while the church's enemies organize against Pope Sebastian.
WEEKEND
"My Christmas Love" 8 p.m. Saturday Hallmark — A woman receives presents from an anonymous suitor who's inspired by the "12 Days of Christmas," and she tries to uncover whom the mysterious gift-giver is.
"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday NBC — Casey Affleck hosts.
"Sleigh Bell Rings" 8 p.m. Sunday Hallmark — A recent divorcée struggles with the holidays as she organizes her town's Christmas parade, but a charming woodworker and a Christmas sleigh help her find her holiday spirit.
"The Librarians" 8 p.m. Sunday TNT — A mysterious traveling carnival holds a sinister secret involving a magician corrupted by the use of real magic. Jonathan Frakes directed the episode.
"NCIS: Los Angeles" 8:30 p.m. Sunday CBS — The team investigates the disappearance of a Navy lieutenant commander who was working with the NSA on foreign cyber threats.
"Shameless" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime (seventh season finale) — The Gallaghers deal with the loss of one of their own and grapple with mixed feelings about their grief.
"Madam Secretary" 9 p.m. Sunday CBS — The threat of war between Israel and Iran puts Congress' imminent vote on the U.S. presidential election at risk.
"Eyewitness" 10 p.m. Sunday USA (first season finale) — Helen learns the identity of the killer; and races to find Philip and Lukas, who are missing.
"The Affair" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Alison is motivated to spend a memorable day with Noah on Block Island for an unusual reason.
"The Royals" 10 p.m. Sunday E! — Helena binges on reality TV while recovering from an illness.
"Elementary" 10:30 p.m. Sunday CBS — Watson is implicated in a DEA investigation into doctors writing illegal prescriptions.
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