It was “Lilyhammer” (Netflix) that first got me to subscribe to Netflix. Its first series wasn’t available anywhere else so how else to sample the new series featuring Steven Van Zandt as a mobster not so different from his Silvio Dante character in “The Sopranos” trying to lay low in Norway?
The trouble with the series was that it was made not only for U.S. audiences but for Norway itself, so it had to play the quirks of Norway for an American audience just as it had to play the oddity of a funny foreigner in Scandinavia — tough to do. That dichotomy may be smoothed over now that its second season has arrived, in full, on the subscription service.
“Whale Wars” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.) returns with a two hour special. But as the crew of the Steve Irwin ships off to a new mission in the Antarctic, Captain Paul Watson, a founder of Greenpeace who had been leading the boat’s activities to save whales for five seasons, has to step down.
The famous World War I Christmas Eve truce that occurred in France 99 years ago is celebrated in a new opera by Kevin Puts, “Silent Night,” making its debut on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
Randy Fenoli counts down his favorite holiday styles on “Say Yes to the Dress” (TLC, 9 p.m.).
Christmas is celebrated on “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m.), “The Neighbors” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), a special one-hour “Raising Hope” (Fox, 9 p.m.) and even a two-hour “Grimm” (NBC, 9 p.m.), in which a Santa-like creature with horns shows up.
An improvement to Christmas lights is offered on “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
Classic Christmas movies tonight include “White Christmas” (AMC, 7 p.m.) and “Fred Claus” (TBS, 8:30 p.m.). One movie that is not a “Christmas Carol” variation: “Marley & Me” (Fox Movies, 9 p.m.).
Can’t find any “Friday the 13th” movies on the schedule tonight, but there is “Freaky Friday” (Oxygen, 8 p.m.).
“Haven” (syFy, 10 p.m.) ends its fourth season.
Even out of order they are a delight: “Toy Story 2” (ABC Family, 6:20 p.m.), “Toy Story 3” (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.) and “Toy Story” (ABC Family, 10:30 p.m.).
The Friday night spotlight on costumes continues on Turner Classic Movies with “Funny Girl” (8 p.m.), “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (10:45 p.m.), “Chinatown” (1 a.m.), “Carnal Knowledge” (3:15 a.m.) and “Adam’s Rib” (5 a.m.).
NBA action includes Lakers at Thunder (ESPN, 8 p.m.), Rockets at Warriors (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
There’s one college football game, Towson at Eastern Illinois (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) and one men’s college basketball game, Iowa at Iowa State (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Evangeline Lilly, Larry the Cable Guy, David Pogue. The View: Tyra Banks, Timothy Goodman & Jessica Walsh. The Talk: Idina Menzel, Elvis Duran. Ellen DeGeneres: Tyler Perry, Ken Jeong, Jenni “JWoww” Farley. Wendy Williams: Constance Marie, Kyle Richards, Radio City Rockettes (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: John Witherspoon, Seasick Steve. Jay Leno: Carson Daly, Justin Willman, Billy Ray Cyrus. Jimmy Kimmel: Benedict Cumberbatch, R. Kelly (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Lewis, Austin Mahone. Craig Ferguson: William Shatner, Michael Sheen, the Lone Bellow. Carson Daly: Jonas Cuaron, the Flaming Lips (rerun). Tavis Smiley: A. Scott Berg. Arsenio Hall: Tyler Perry, Jonathan Kite, Sommore.