You’d think from its crimson fabric, it’s another holiday movie. But no, “The Red Tent” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) is the ponderous, two-night adaptation of Anita Diamant’s best-selling novel about forgotten women of the Bible and all their begetting. The red tent itself is where they are banished (and subsequently bond) during their time of the month.
The clunky narrative and overseas-market feel to the production (you keep expecting dragons to appear) is aided by the casting which includes Morena Baccarin of “Homeland” andDebra Winger. The standout for me is Will Tudor, looking exactly as he did in “Game of Thrones” accompanying Khaleesi and her dragons. But it’s not of that ilk and ultimately dreary, even for feminists who reveled in the book. Part two airs Monday.
It requires its own pre show investigating the overlooked characters, “Women of the Bible” (Lifetime, 7 p.m.).
Whole generations don’t know anything about Lucille Ball these days. One annual event in which its “Christmas Episode” and “Job Switching” are colorized won’t change that too much. but the “I Love Lucy Christmas Special” (CBS, 8 p.m.) it will be fun to see again for old fans.
Noah Wyle revives his role as unexpected swashbuckling hero from the three “Librarian” films with a new series featuring the same character. “The Librarians” (TNT, 8 p.m.) also stars Rebecca Romijn, John Larroquette and Christian Kane.
Some awfully weird things on cable tonight, including “Eaten Alive” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) in which a man volunteers to be swallowed whole by an anaconda. For something only slightly less icky, there’s “Naked and Afraid: Franco and Rogen” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) in which Seth Rogen and James Franco, in another desperate measure to promote their new film (as if international incident wasn’t enough), strip down and try to do the survival for 21 days without clothes. A version at 11:15 p.m. will be uncensored but probably only the language; the blurring will continue.
A number of celebrities join Anderson Cooper on “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” (CNN, 8 p.m.) saluting everyday do-gooders.
“In God We Trust” (Al Jazeera America, 9 p.m.), a documentary on Bernard Madoff’s personal secretary, who aided the FBI in bringing him down plays the first of two parts.
Two weeks waiting for this episode of “Homeland” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) doubles the anticipation as well, especially after all that’s happened.
And things are beginning to twist, too, on “The Affair” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
The mice have arrived for clinical purposes on “Getting On” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.) and you just know what’s going to happen next.
A double feature of Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr with “From Here to Eternity” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “Separate Tables” (TCM, 10:15 p.m.).
The obscure 1930s animation firm the Van Beuren Studios gets a rare showcase on Turner Classic Movies with eight cartoons from 1929 to 1934 starting with “The Fly’s Bride” (TCM, midnight).
You were hoping to maybe never hear the name of Larry Birkhead, father of Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter. But yet here he is again, trying to find love in the eighth season of “Millionaire Matchmaker” (Bravo, 9:30 p.m.) with Patti Stanger.
The Pontiac Bandit gets a plea deal on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
The Snow Queen is causing problems again, and not even singing on “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
A couple of TV Christmas movies tonight: “Christmas at Cartwright’s” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) in which a single mom gets a job as a department store Santa, which may lead to all kind of gender identity questions if romance pops up (as it evevitably will). On “Merry Ex-Mas” (ION, 9 p.m.) a divorced couple is forced to spend the holiday together.
Sunday Night Football has New England at San Diego (NBC, 8:30 p.m.). Earlier, it’s St. Louis at Washington (Fox, 1 p.m.), Baltimore at Miami (CBS, 1 p.m.) and Seattle at Philadelphia (Fox, 4:25 p.m.).
But the big news will be in college football, where there won’t be a game, but its first playoff selection show (ESPN, 12:45 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops today includes Towson at Georgetown (Fox Sports 1, noon), Milwaukee at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 2 p.m.), East Carolina at North Carolina (ESPNU, 3 p.m.), California at Nevada (CBS Sports, 4 pm.), Mississippi at Oregon (fox Sports 1, 4 p.m.) and Arkansas at Clemson (ESPNU, 5 p.m.).
Women’s games include South Carolina at Duke (ESPN2, 1 p.m.).
Hockey has Vancouver at Ottawa (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Ohio Gov. John Kasich. CBS: New York police commission William Bratton, NAACP president Cornell William Brooks, Camden police commissioner John Scott Thomson, British ambassador to the U.S., Peter Westmacott. NBC: Widow Esaw Garner, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Atalanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Manhattan disctrict attorney Cyrus Vance, Texas gov. elect Greg Abbott. CNN: Former President George W. Bush, HUD secretary Julian Castro, Rep. Joaquin Castro. Fox News: Gov. Bobby Jindal.