It might seem that the two night miniseries “One Child” (Sundance, 9 p.m.) may be out of sync with other holiday fare. But the story of a college woman of Chinese descent (Katie Leung) raised by a British-American pair of educators (Elizabeth Perkins and Donald Sumpter), suddenly called to China to meet her mother and help her newly-discovered brother out of a murder rap has everything to do with the seasonal anxiety of families reuniting.
It’s also a respite from the forced cheer and interesting look at cross cultural issues with some footage smuggled out of Guangzou.
Among more conventional fare, the animated “How Murray Saved Christmas” (NBC, 8 p.m.) stands out with its funny rhymes from the book by Mike Reiss, and voices that include Jerry Stiller, the grumpy local diner operator in a town full of holiday icons, the latest to be forced to save Christmas by standing in for Santa. An hour might be stretching things, but it’s more entertaining than you’d expect.
Spreading the brand to holiday fare, the concert “A Very Grammy Christmas” (CBS, 9 p.m.) features performances from Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, Tim McGraw, Maroon 5 and Big Sean, with L.L. Cool J hosting. It replaces the concert that announced Grammy nominations (which were released this morning).
Somebody was smart to tape the 2013 “MusiCares Person of the Year: Tribute to Bruce Springsteen” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). The event brought out Neil Young doing “Born in the U.S.A,” John Legend on “Dancing in the Dark,” Steing on “Lonesome Day,” Elton John on “Streets of Philadelphia,” Emmylou Harris on “My Hometown” and Jackson Browne on the timely “American Skin (41 Shots).” Springsteen himself finally takes the stage for a five song set that begins with “We Take Care of Our Own” and includes “Thunder Road.” It’s been out commercially on DVD since March; pledge month may mean a few local interruptions. But like a Springsteen show, it’s a marathon: Three hours.
This year’s “The Amazing Spider-Man” (Starz, 9 p.m., with Andrew Garfield in the tights, makes its cable debut as does another hero, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) with Idris Elba.
There’s a double dose of “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 8 and 9 p.m.) as it nears its season’s end.
Remaining contestants on “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) get muddy in Manilla on a switchback challenge.
Foldable luggage is pitched on a new “Shark Tank” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
So you like musicals now? There are a bunch tonight on Turner Classic Movies, all directed by Charles Walters: “Good News” (8 p.m.), “Easter Parade” (9:45 p.m.), “The Barkleys of Broadway” (11:45 p.m.), “The Belle of New York” (1:45 a.m.), “Three Guys Named Mike” (3:15 a.m.) and “Du Barry was a Lady” (5 a.m.).
In college football, it’s Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) in the MAC championship and Arizona vs. Oregon (Fox, 9 p.m.) in the Pacific-12 championship. It fills prime time with a Pac-12 Championship Pre-Game Show (Fox, 7 p.m.).
College hooks includes Texas at Kentucky (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Wyoming at SMU (ESPNews, 7 p.m.), Manhattan at Fairfield (MASN, 7 p.m.), Florida at Kansas (ESPN, 9 p.m.) and Missouri at Oklahoma (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.).
In pro basketball, it’s Oklahoma City at Philadelphia (NBA, 7 p.m.) and Indiana at Sacramento (NBA, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jake Gyllenhaal, Megan Boone, Lance Ulanoff. The View: Chris Rock, J.B. Smoove, Bella Thorne. The Talk: Rebecca Romijn, David Walton, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Reese Witherspoon, Dan Bucatinsky. Wendy Williams: Siggy Flicker, Don Lemon, Carolina Bermudez, Sara Liebowitz. Meredith Vieira: Patti Stanger, David Muir. Queen Latifah: Kristen Bell, Kunal Kayyar (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Tom Selleck, Jenny Slate, Foo Fighters with Rick Nielsen (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Kevin Spacey, Olivia Munn, Lucas Brothers (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Jennifer Aniston, Ken Jeong (rerun). Seth Meyers: Russell Brand, Mayim Fahim Anwar (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Steve Carell, Kristen Bell. Carson Daly: Megan Amram, the Melvins (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Melissa Etheridge.