If visions of Asian food is what’s dancing in your head this time of year, you’re similar to the subject of David Gelb’s film “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” in which the acknowledged master of the form is followed as he prepares his precise delicacies in his tiny shop in Tokyo, sharing some of his secrets (simplicity, passion) as a number of apprentices try to learn some of his magic. The documentary makes its debut on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
The end comes for two short-term reality series that had only started this month. “The Sing-Off” (NBC, 8 p.m.) has been doing better in its latest incarnation, thanks to a lead-in from “The Voice” and a new judge in Jewel (who seems to buy her push-up undergarments the same place Christina Aguilera does for “The Voice”). Tonight a prize is given to one of these groups: Home Free from Minneapolis, Ten from Texas and Vocal Rush from Oakland. Joining the finale are Pat Benatar, whose music has received a surprising revival on all the singing competitions this fall, 98 Degrees (whose Nick Lachey has been host) and the one hit a cappella group that has emerged from “The Sing-Off,” Pentatonix.
Also ending its even shorter run tonight is “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (ABC, 9 p.m.), which has been an interesting contest among obsessives who go above and beyond Griswold levels of overkill. The only trouble has been the judges have a hard time criticizing any contestants and the weekly winners so far have been sort of arbitrary. Still, it’s been enjoyable watching.
With family versions of the activity imminent, celebrities have been convened back to do their own “Hollywood Game Night” (NBC, 10 p.m.) holiday edition. Among them are Ray Romano, Cheryl Hines, Gavin DeGraw, Rachel Bilson, Brooklyn Decker and Andy Roddick (But no Uncle Arnie). Jane Lynch returns to host.
I love the fact that weeks after critics have delivered their final Top 10 lists for music in early December or in some cases November, there came a work that upended all their careful considerations. Beyonce’s surprise album has broke sales records online since it was suddenly and unexpectedly released one midnight last week. The collection of videos that has also been on sale online are now on TV as well with the cable premiere of “Beyonce: The Visual Album” (Fuse, 8 p.m.). It’s part of a “Beyonce Takeover” that begins at 6 p.m.
One of the great Christmas specials, “Shrek the Halls” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is paired with something I’m thinking won’t be quite as good, “A Chipmunk Christmas” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.). Oddly, it plays opposite “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel” (FX, 8 p.m.) and the 2007 “Alvin and the Chipmunks” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Last week’s pop music special “The iHeartRadio Jungle Ball 2013” (The CW, 8 p.m.) gets a rerun as well.
And the choir from Minnesota flies to Scandinavia for “Christmas in Norway with the St. Olaf Choir” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
A graduate student is shot on “Major Crimes” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
“Back to the Future” (Encore, 8 p.m.) gets a double play with “Back to the Future, Part II” (Encore, 10 p.m.) which travels all the way to 2015.
It’s Atlanta at San Francisco (ESPN, 8:25 p.m.) on Monday Night Football. Hockey action includes Minnesota at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Does anyone remember that they made “A Christmas Story 2” (CMT, 8 p.m.) last year? The marathon of the original comes Tuesday.
Other holiday fare: “The Polar Express” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.), “Home Alone” AMC, 8 p.m.), “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” (Disney, 8 p.m.), “November Christmas” (Hallmark, 8 pm.), “Merry-In-Laws” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “Prancer” (ABC Family, 10 p.m.), “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (AMC, 10 p.m.), “The Wishing Tree” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.) and “The Real St. Nick” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
Not about Christmas, but about air travel problems: “Snakes on a Plane” (IFC, 8 and 10:15 p.m.).
Both “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “Colbert Report” are off the air until next year. Good time to catch a rerun of “Conan” (TBS, 11 p.m.) that featured the full cast of “Breaking Bad.”
Films featuring kids at Christmas are on Turner Classic Movies tonight, with “Meet Me in St. Louis” (8 p.m.), “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (10 p.m.), ), “Little Women” (1:30 a.m.), “Tenth Avenue Angel” (2:45 a.m.) and a documentary “A Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas” (12:15 and 5 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops include George Mason vs. Oregon State (ESPNU, 2:30 p.m.), Iowa State vs. Akron (ESPNU, 4:30 p.m.) and Morehead State at Tennessee (ESPNU, 7 p.m).
I usually try to delete the various named sponsor bowl games but this one is pretty good: East Carolina vs. Ohio (ESPN, 2 p.m.) in the Beef O’Brady Bowl.
Daytime TV
Kelly & Michael: Steve Carell, American Authors. The View: Rick Warren, Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr.Daniel Amen, Cameron Mathison, Sarah Chrisman, Jennie Garth (rerun). The Talk: Simon Baker, June Shannon & Sugar Bear, Cat Cora (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Eddie Murphy, David Thibault. Wendy Williams: Dr. Drew Pinsky, David Tutera (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Jonah Hill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, J.Roddy Walston and the Business. Jay Leno: Kevin Hart, Brooklyn Decker, Chris Young (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Orlando Bloom, Ronda Rousey, Wild Feathers (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Amy Adams, Oscar Isaac, Jack Johnson (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Zoe Saldana, Mitch Albom (rerun). Carson Daly: Francis Lawrence, the Blank Tapes, Letlive (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Kenny Loggins. Arsenio Hall: Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Melanie Comarcho, Finesse Mitchell, Michael Yo (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Brnay Cranston, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Anna Gunn, Vince Gilligan, Los Cautes De Sinaloa (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Ben Stiller, Bobby Lee, Josh Wolf, Jo Koy.