The one show this season that’s seems to have captured the zeitgeist as well as any is “Homeland” (Showtime, 10 p.m.) which attempted the difficult task of forging a path forward for the show even as it kept up its penchant of eating through plot at a feverish pace. The last two episodes have featured just as many dead major characters. One could only imagine what’s set for tonight’s finale.
Also having a very strong season that also played with its very concept as it also defined a way forward, “Dexter” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) has also been terrific, drawing in his sister into his killing secrets even as she tried to figure out how to react to what she knew. At the same time, other police are on his trail as a possible killer, as two other cases figured prominently through the season, not to mention a love interest. Like “Breaking Bad,” this is a show that likes to paint itself in a corner, and it’s all kinds of fun to watch it try to get out.
Normally, the older players and especially the returning ones are the first to go on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) but tonight, the final four features three older players, as well as a likable younger one, who will have to fight to stay in it (lucky for him he’s also the strongest and has won the past two immunity challenges).
With the one villain finally eliminated last week, it’s quite a respectable and worthy four left to play for the $1 million; good luck to all of them in what is usually a three hour event — two hours to play and another to talk about it.
On another long running network reality shows, winning hardly ever works out. That’s why they need to make a big deal of
“The Bachelorette: Ashley & J.P.’s Wedding” (ABC, 9 p.m.), only one of about three ceremonies that ever came out of the matchmaking series. So of course the wedding would also be on primetime TV, with Ashley Hebert and J.P. Richardson exchanging vows before what looks to be the envious cast of “Bachelor Pad.”
It’s San Francisco at New England (NBC, 8 p.m.) on Sunday Night Football. Earlier NFL action has Washington at Cleveland (Fox, 1 p.m.), Denver at Baltimore (CBS, 1 p.m.) and Pittsburgh at Dallas (CBS, 4:25 p.m.)
What’s Adam Lambert doing hosting “VH1 Divas” (VH1, 9 p.m.). He’s not the only “American Idol” alum on board, as Kelly Clarkson is one of the performers, as is Kelly Rowland and Pitbull. Salutes to both Whitney Houston and Donna Summer are planned.
New Christmas episodes are slated for “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.), “Family Guy” (Fox, 9 p.m.) and “American Dad” (Fox, 9:30 p.m.).
While America usually retreats into reruns and old holiday specials as Christmas approaches, the UK tradition is to present a special Yuletide episode that doesn’t go with the rest of the season. So despite the fact it’s been off for months, “Royal Pains: Off-Season Greetings” (USA, 9 p.m.) returns for a two hour special, having to deal with such off-season concerns as blizzards.
Who’s your favorite Scrooge? Alastair Sim in the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol” (TCM, 9:30 p.m.) or George C. Scott in the 1984 “A Christmas Carol” (AMC, 8 and 10:30 p.m.).
This is how they do it in Utah: “Christmas at the Mormon Tabernacle” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), featuring its famous choir.
It’s “Batman” (Encore, 8 p.m.) vs. “The Fantastic Four” (Fox Movie Channel, 8 and 10 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Delaware at Villanova (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) and Eastern Kentucky at Illinois (ESPNU, 6 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Reps. Chris Murphy, Jason Chaffetz and Donna Edwards, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra. CBS: Malloy, Sens. Chuck Schumer, Kay bailey Hutchison, Dan Gross, president, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. NBC: Malloy, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, former secretary of education Bill Bennett, president of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten, former secretary of homeland security Tom Ridge. Fox News: Sens. Joe Lieberman, Dick Durin, Rep. Louie Gohmert.