The use of anger and outrage to fuel an effective movement is tracked in David France’s documentary premiering on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
“How to Survive a Plague,” told with a lot of period footage at the height of the AIDS epidemic, tells of the rise of ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) which helped push the deadly scourge of HIV into one that could be managed with treatment. It’s quite an achievement for a first time filmmaker, and one that earned him an Oscar nomination for best documentary.
There aren’t as many New Year’s cartoon specials as there are for Christmas but there are couple: “Happy New Year, Charlie Brown” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
In college football bowl games today it’s Middle Tennessee State vs. Navy (ESPN, 11:45 a.m.) in the Armed Forces Bowl, Mississippi vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN, 3:15 p.m.) in the Music City Bowl, Oregon vs. Texas (ESPN, 6:45 p.m.) in the Alamo Bowl and Arizona State vs. Texas Tech (ESPN, 10:15 p.m.) in the Holiday Bowl.
Networks are still out on vacation: reruns of everything including the first half of the “iHeartRadio Music Festival” (The CW, 8 p.m.) from Las Vegas.
When “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) go out to Lisa’s restaurant, featured in her own “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo, 9 p.m.), it means a two hour crossover event.
A bomb explodes at a used car sale on a new “Major Crimes” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
Not about the Obamas’ current holiday trip: “Buying Hawaii” (Destination America, 10 p.m.).
After what seems like a full week of non-stop “Duck Dynasty,” TLC decides to go with somthing equally annoying: a whole night of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
What could be worse? A full night of “Dads” (FX, 8 p.m.).
Now nearly two years behind us: The predicted cataclysms of “2012” (FXX 7 and 10:30 p.m.).
The Rob Lowe as JFK thing “Killing Kennedy” (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.) gets a replay.
I recommend the thinly veiled Scientology commentary “The Master” (TMC, 8 p.m.) with Philip Seymour Hoffman.
A half dozen performers who died this year are remembered on Turner Classic Movies with “It Started with Eve” (8 p.m.) with Deanna Durbin, “Bikini Beach” (9:45 p.m.) with Annette Funicello, “The Cheap Detective” (11:30 p.m.) with Eileen Brennan, “The Loved One” (1:15 a.m.) with Jonathan Winters, “Five Easy Pieces” (3:30 a.m.) featuring Karen Black, and “East of Eden” (5:15 a.m.) with Julie Harris.
In men’s college hoops, it’s Virginia at Tennessee (ESPN2, 7 p.m.). NHL action includes Los Angeles at Chicago (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
All reruns: Kelly & Michael: Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis. The View: Ralph Fiennes, backstreet Boys, Hilaria Baldwin. The Talk: Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Eddie Cibrian, Nia Long, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Melissa De Sousa, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Miley Cyrus. Wendy Williams: Hoda Kotb, Kenya Moore.
Late Talk
Reruns all: David Letterman: Billy Crystal, Julie Chen, ZZ Ward. Jay Leno: Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Engvall, Tired Pony. Jimmy Kimmel: Ryan Seacrest, Bradley Whitford, Mac Miller. Jimmy Fallon: Liam Hemsworth, Bobby Moynihan, Sleigh Bells. Craig Ferguson: Mary Steenburgen, Becca Tobin. Carson Daly: Steve McQueen, Jenny O. Tavis Smiley: Diana Nyad. Arsenio Hall: Sean “Diddy” Combs, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Shahidah Omar, Nicole Ari Parker, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Theo Von. Conan O’Brien: Steven Yeun, Eric Andre, Aparna Nancherla. Chelsea Handler: Sara Bareilles, April Richardson, ian Karmel, Heather McDonald.