There’s a musical variety special just about every night now that it’s Christmastime (and loads of ads to show). Tonight’s new one is “A Michael Buble Christmas” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
It’s designed to go with the crooner’s new release, sure, but he also includes Justin Bieber, who has his own holiday album out, and Oscar the Grouch, whose fellow Muppets have a movie. Also, NBC has some comedies to boost, so there are appearances from Tracy Morgan and Ed Helms.
Also on the show, Kellie Pickler, Thalia and the harmony groups Naturally 7 and The Puppini Sisters. Also expected to stop by: Lawyers for the estate of Frank Sinatra.
There are Christmas episodes scheduled for “Eureka” (Syfy, 8 p.m.), “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m.), “Warehouse 13” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) and “Haven” (Syfy, 10 p.m.). And if you can’t wait until Christmas Eve, here is “A Christmas Story” (TCM, 9 p.m.). And the 1984 “A Christmas Carol” (AMC, 8 p.m.), which was on yesterday and will be on again tomorrow, is also on today. Talk about three unwanted visits.
Just about every episode of “Sons of Anarchy” (FX, 10 p.m.) this season has climaxed with a “can you believe what just happened” ending; the season finale tonight will probably explode.
In the new “Hidden City” (Travel, 10 p.m.) crime writer Marcus Sakey fashions himself a kind of Anthony Bourdain except with murders. So he goes from place to place and savors their most lurid stories. In Chicago that means the mass murderer who operated during the 1893Columbian Exposition – something that’s already been covered thoroughly in “The Devil in the White City.” He his other topics are just as predictable: John Dillinger and the 1968 riots, though it’s timely (and ridiculous) that he volunteers to be hit by pepper spray to see what it feels like.
“Covert Affairs” (USA, 10 p.m.) also reaches its season finale.
A new season stars for “Teen Mom 2” (MTV, 10 p.m.), looking into the further tribulations of the second set of young mothers — Leah, Kailyn, Jenelle and the Chelsea. Subject for further study: Do they choose young mothers who will act out, or do they act out because they’re on TV?
Finn tries to talk Sam (Chord Overstreet, MIA this season) into rejoining “Glee” (Fox, 8 p.m.) club. Maybe because the newbies from the reality show aren’t quite working out?
Jess should not be seeking sex advice from her roomies on “New Girl” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Carla Gugino star in the latest mystery movie of the week, “Hide” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
On a later than usual “Biggest Loser” (NBC, 9 p.m.), those who were eliminated have a chance to come back for the finals – if they win a marathon.
Augmenting the Californian scavengers on “Storage Wars” (A&E, 10 p.m.) is a whole new Lone Star division, “Storage Wars: Texas” (A&E, 10:30 p.m.).
A new group of (illegal) entrepreneurs in southwest Virginia are followed in the new “Moonshiners” (Discovery, 10 p.m.), about hill people who work in their family tradition, escaping the eye of the G-man.
They go live in Vegas tonight to announce the winner of the bike building contest between the Teutuls and Jesse James in “American Chopper Live: The Build-Off” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
It’s such a crazy idea they made a show about it. Grooms plan the wedding in the new “Don’t Tell the Bride” (TLC, 10 p.m.). It follows a new, typically embarrassing “What Not to Wear” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
One of my favorite guilty pleasures is on tonight: “Valley of the Dolls” (Fox Movie Channel, 8 p.m.). Also: “The Runaways” (Encore, 8 p.m.).
UConn women hosts the reigning champions in the Jimmy V Classic with Texas A&M at Connecticut (ESPN2, 7 p.m.). Men’s hoops includes Missouri vs. Villanova (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Washington vs. Marquette (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Red Wings at Blues (Versus, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Sarah Jessica Parker, Emily Van Camp, Richard Blais, Jonah Hill. The View: Condoleezza Rice, Patricia Cornwell, Jackie Evancho. The Talk: Melissa Gilbert, Andrea Bocelli, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Hilary Swank, Steve Jones, Sabrina Soto. Wendy Williams: Bill & Giuliana Rancic. Rosie O’Donnell: Chris Matthews.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Matt Damon, Shelby Lynne. Jay Leno: Katherine Heigl, J.B. Smoove, Taio Cruz. Jimmy Kimmel: Armie Hammer, Jeri Ryan, T-Pain. Jimmy Fallon: Sarah Jessica Parker, Patton Oswalt, Willow Smith. Craig Ferguson: Valerie Bertinelli, Henry Cho. Tavis Smiley: Susan Herman. Carson Daly: Wale, Ellen Brill, Portugal, The Man. Jon Stewart: Jonah Hill. Stephen Colbert: The Black Keys. Conan O’Brien: Sofia Vergara, Paul F. Tompkins, Tig Notaro. Chelsea Handler: Gary Oldman, John Caparulo, Heather McDonald, Ross Mathews.