It isn’t just the costumes, pipe and TV spinoffs. Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional creation Holmes also affected the whole world of criminal investigation, according to the special “How Sherlock Changed the World” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). Among those who admit his influence is Connecticut’s famed medical examiner Dr. Henry Lee. (Part of he reason they’re having this documentary, though, is to help promote the upcoming “Sherlock” series on “Masterpiece Mystery”).
Just last week I wrote a piece about the saddest Christmas songs, the saddest of which was Woody Guthrie’s “1913 Massacre” about an incident at a Christmas party in copper country that left 73 dead. The incident behind that song is told in a special, “Red Metal: The Copper Country Strike of 1913” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings), narrated by Richard Harris.
The winner of season five of “The Voice” (NBC, 9 p.m.) is announced after they spend two hours trying to remember the winners in the first four seasons. Also: Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Ne-Yo and OneRepublic all sing.
Sick kids is no way to spend the holiday episode of “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
The teams are dissolved on “The Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.), but they don’t call it a merge.
Michelle Trachtenberg plays a senator’s daughter who is attacked on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The amusing and somewhat shocking documentary “The Queen of Versailles” (CNBC, 9 p.m.) tells the story of the time share king who marries a model and tries to build the largest (and most garish) residence in the United States.
Hey last month I visited the pawn shop off of Eight Mile Road in Detroit that is the focus of “Hardcore Pawn” (truTV, 9 p.m.). It begins its eighth season tonight.
Eleanor Parker, the actress who died last week at 91, is honored on Turner Classic Movies with a day of her movies including “The Very Thought of You” (6 a.m.), “Of Human Bondage” (7:45 a.m.), “The Woman in White” (9:45 a.m.), “Caged” (11:45 a.m.), “Scaramouche” (1:30 p.m.), “Interrupted Melody” (3:30 p.m.) and “Home from the Hill” (5:15 p.m.). But unfortunately not her best known role, in “The Sound of Music” as the Baroness.
Later, it’s all about holiday romance with “Holiday Affair” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Remember the Night” (TCM, 9:45 p.m.) and “The Holiday” (TCM, 11:30 p.m.).
Lots of men’s college basketball tonight with Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Florida Gulf Coast at South Florida (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Elon at Georgetown (CBS Sports NEtwork, 7 p.m.), Yale at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Missouri State at Louisville (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Florida vs. Memphis (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Wichita State at Alabama (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Ball State at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
In women’s college basketball, it’s Connecticut at Duke (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Will Ferrell, Candice Glover, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The View: Susan Sarandon, Danielle Bradbery, Nancy Grace. The Talk: Rob Reiner. Ellen DeGeneres: Chris O’Donnell, Terry Bradshaw, Icona Pop. Wendy Williams: Hoda Kotb, Kenya Moore.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Paul Rud, Christin Milioti, Barbara Walters, Alt-J. Jay Leno: Olivia Wilde, Julie Scardina, Johnny Mathis. Jimmy Kimmel: Mark Wahlberg, Bruce Dern, Polica. Jimmy Fallon: Miley Cyrus (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Alyssa Milano, Wilford Brimley. Carson Daly: Eric Andre, Chrome Sparks (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Anjelica huston. Jon Stewart: Erik Prince. Stephen Colbert: Garry Trudeau, Cyndi Lauper, Alan Cumming. Arsenio Hall: Tom Selleck, Judge Greg Mathis, Ashanti. Conan O’Brien: Tom Hanks, the Head and the Heart. Chelsea Handler: Evangeline Lilly, Jeff Wild, Loni Love, Ryan Stout.