By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Sunday, December 27, 2015
The biggest event of the week of course is New Year's Eve and for those who choose to stay home and watch festivities on TV, there are several options.
Ryan Seacrest is top of mind, of course. He took over for the late great Dick Clark and will probably be hosting this ABC special for another four decades or so. This year, he brings back Jenny McCarthy and will have former "Idol" winner Carrie Underwood in Times Square to perform. In the pre-taped portion, over five plus hours, you'll see 5 Seconds of Summer, Fall Out Boy, Andy Grammer, Ellie Goulding, Elle King, Tove Lo, Rachel Platten and Walk the Moon. It was taped the same weekend as the American Music Awards, which is how they were able to get so many big names in one place.
But don't despair if Seacrest isn't for you. Carson Daly has his NBC version with Gwen Stefani while Pitbull on Fox is a bit less square. If you need a little politics thrown in, Donald Trump will join Eric Bolling and Kimberly Guilfoyle on Fox News. And there's never enough snark with Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper on CNN.
For the first time in history, MTV bowed out of New Year's festivities.
Meanwhile, the biggest series return is GPB's "Downton Abbey" for its sixth and final season Sunday.
Fox's animated series about life on the U.S.-Mexican border debuts "Bordertown" Sunday while ABC's musical "Galavant" is back the same day. Plus, Amazon Prime's "Mozart in the Jungle" tunes in Wednesday and A&E brings back "Hoarders" Sunday.
This covers Monday, December 28 through Sunday, January 3, 2016
MONDAY
"Hollywood Medium" 8 p.m. E! (preview) — Clairvoyant Tyler Henry is just 20 but now does readings for the likes of Jaimes Pressly and Snooki.
"Bible Bowl" 8 p.m. TLC — Cameras follow seven teams compete for millions in scholarship money.
"Heroin: Cape Cod, USA" 9 p.m. HBO —The heroin addiction hits a seemingly idyllic small town.
"Monday Night Football " 8:30 p.m. ESPN— Broncos vs. Bengals.
"Telenovela " 9:30 p.m. NBC — Ana goes to extremes to avoid a fight with Mimi.
"Legends " 11 p.m. TNT (series finale) — In present day Prague, Martin makes a deal with the Russians to save Kate.
TUESDAY
"Rickey Smiley for Real" 8 p.m. TV One— A team building exercise for the radio crew.
"The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors" 9 p.m. CBS — Carole King, George Lucas, Rita Moreno, Cicely Tyson and Seiji Ozawa are the honorees.
" Kate Plus 8 " 9 p.m. TLC — The Gosselins do landscaping as one their summer projects, but they also take time for lemonade, yoga and an unexpected burial.
"7 Little Johnsons " 10 p.m. TLC (second season finale) —Alex's upcoming tonsillectomy makes the whole family nervous.
"Almost Genius " 10 p.m. TruTV (new series) —A comedy about people, places and things that try to succeed but come up short
"Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce " 10 p.m. Bravo — A 1990s-theme prom is thrown for Phoebe when she gets her GED.
WEDNESDAY
"Mozart of the Jungle" 3:01 a.m. Amazon Prime (second season debut) — The classical music dramedy returns with a labor dispute that causes serious tensions.
"I Get That a Lot" 8 p.m. CBS — Kristin Chenoweth works as a waitress; chef Guy Fieri sells cars; Rita Ora works in a tanning salon; NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers works the front desk at a gym.
"My Fat Saved My Life " 8 p.m. TLC — People who escaped death because of their weight, including a person who fell from a tall building and another who was shot, are profiled.
"Drugs Inc. " 9 p.m. NGC — An inside look at the drug wars in the suburbs of Vancouver, Canada.
"Extreme Time Cheaters " 10 p.m. TLC — Time-saving measures, including washing dishes while showering and body waxing at work, are examined.
"Southern Justice " 10 p.m. NGC — Domestic violence cases are investigated in North Carolina.
"Bet on Me" 10 p.m. TLC — Premiere of a game show in which contestants guess details about strangers' lives to win prizes.
NEW YEAR"S EVE
"Dick Clark's PrimetimeNew Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest" 8 p.m. ABC — Three hours of partying with Seacrest, Fergie and Jenny McCarthy. After news at 11, the festivities continue live in Times Square with Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Demi Lovato and Wiz Khalifa until 1:09 a.m.
"New Year's Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin" 8 p.m. CNN — Kathy will find about 78 ways to embarrass her friend Anderson before 2015 is over.
"Pitbull's New Year's Rev olution" 8-10 p.m., 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Fox — Pitbull rings in 2016 in Miami at Bayfront Park with performances by Jussie Smollett, Shawn Mendes, Austin Mahone, Pia Mia, Prince Royce and R. City.
"NB C's New Year's Eve Game Night With Andy Cohen" 10 p.m. NBC — John Stamos, Bob Saget, Bob Harper, Chris Parnell and Whitney Cumming sare among the game players.
"All American New Year" 11 p.m. Fox News — Donald Trump pops in!
FRIDAY
"American Restoration" 9 p.m. History (seventh season debut) — The biggest restoration of Bodie's career hits a snag.
"Bring It!" 9 p.m. Lifetime (third season debut) — Coach D is determined to lead her Dolls to victory against Compton.
" Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta" 9 p.m. TLC (ninth season debut) — A bride wants a vintage dress that she can wear with cowboy boots.
" Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" 10 p.m. Food (24th season debut) — Guy Fieri refuses to go away.
" The Rap Game" 10 p.m. Lifetime (new series) — Atlanta producer Jermaine Dupri looks for his next Bow Wow.
" Smartest Guy in the Room" 10 p.m. History (new series) — Series in which intelligent people compete in challenges with the intention of trying to outwit fellow competitors.
WEEKEND
"Don't Wake Mommy" 8 tonight Lifetime —Molly is struggling with being a new mom, but after meeting Beth, things temporarily improve only to turn as Beth's dark intentions are brought to light.
"Ash vs. Evil Dead" 9 tonight Starz (first season finale) — A last-ditch effort to rid the world of the Evil could leave Ash a changed man, as well as changing mankind forever.
"Galavant" 8 p.m. Sunday ABC (second season debut) — Galavant and the crew are shipwrecked thanks to bad advice.
"The Simpsons" 8 p.m. Sunday Fox — A photo Marge posts on social media gets Homer fired.
"Cooper Garrett's Guide to Surviving Life" 8:30 p.m. Sunday Fox (new series) — The misadventures of a postcollege twentysomething and his friends.
"Undercover Boss" 8:30 p.m. Sunday CBS — Sam Dushey, President and CEO of Shoppers World, works undercover at his discount apparel and merchandise retail stores.
"Downton Abbey" 9 p.m. Sunday GPB (sixth season debut) — Lady Mary faces an extortion threat; the estate may have to downsize; a possible change at the hospital upsets Violet.
"Hoarders" 9 p.m. Sunday A&E (seventh season debut) — A germaphobe jeopardizes her health in a filthy hoard overridden with mice.
"Long Island Medium" 9 p.m. Sunday TLC (eighth season debut) — Theresa reads for celebrities, including Jim Parsons and Susan Lucci.
"Worst Cooks in America" 9 p.m. Sunday Food (eighth season debut) — Tyler Florence returning for a rematch against reigning champ Anne Burrell.
"Bordertown" 9;30 p.m. Sunday Fox (new series) — An animated comedy about two culturally and ethnically different families who live next door to each other near the U.S.-Mexican border.
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