The author and intellect Susan Sontag is profiled as more of a celebrity in Nancy Kates’ “Regarding Susan Sontag” (HBO, 9 p.m.), seeming slightly more interested in the many lovers of Sontag of both genders than her many strong works from “Against Interpretation” to “On Photography” and “Illness as Metaphor.” Because Sontag dabbled so much in media, though, there is a lot of footage of interviews to used, as well as roles in films — her own and others.’ This month is the 10th anniversary of her death.
“The Great Christmas Light Fight” (ABC, 8 p.m.) returns, with extreme home holiday illuminators putting on their their overdone displays and competing with others. The prize money of $30,000 will only cover some of their electric bill. Michael Moloney and Sabrina Soto are the judges from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” who will say everything looks amazing.
Ten days before he quits his show altogether, Stephen Colbert talks with President Obama at GWU in Washington on a special edition of “The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central, 11:30 p.m.).
“Mike & Molly” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) has a late season premiere for its fifth season.
Colombian star Juanes guest stars as a producer interested in working with Xo on a new “Jane the Virgin” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
It’s down to the Top 5 on “The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
A peek at tonight’s “State of Affairs” (NBC, 10 p.m.) shows that it hasn’t improved much in credibility or drama. Better to catch reruns of Sunday’s gripping “Homeland” (Showtime, 8 and 10 p.m.).
“The Fosters” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.) and “Switched at Birth” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.) both have Christmas episods before a replay of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (ABC Family, 10 p.m.).
Other holiday fare tonight includes both “The Santa Clause 2” (AMC, 8 and 10:30 p.m.) and “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” (Disney, 8 p.m.) as well as “Christmas Wedding Baby” (BET, 8 p.m.) and “One Christmas Eve” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.). There is also a “Swamp Christmas” (History, 10 p.m.).
“The Red Tent” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) folds after its concluding chapter. The two hour first half replays at 7.
“The Originals” (The CW, 8 p.m.) holds a midseason finale with a troublesome family union.
The best of the British segments of “Top Gear” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) are reviewed.
Monday Night Football has Atlanta at Green Bay (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
College hoops includes Kennesaw State at Butler (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne at Purdue (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), California State Barbara at Southern Methodist (DBS Sports, 8 p.m.) Brown at Providence (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) and North Dakota at Minnesota (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Pro basketball includes Denver at Toronto (NBA, 7:30 p.m.).
Awards season seems far away but the new series “Hollywood Sessions” (Epix, 8 p.m.) looks at probable nominees with individual interviews with Los Angeles Times reporters. First up are Jennifer Aniston, Shailene Woodley, Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
The month-long Monday night salute to Cary Grant on Turner Classic Movies continues with “An Affair to Remember” (8 p.m.), “Topper” (10 p.m.), “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (midnight), “The Talk of the Town” (1:45 a.m.), “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” and “Every Girl Should Be Married” (5:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Micheal: Cameron Diaz, Nick Cannon, Renee Fleming. The View: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Phyllis Logan, Lesley Nicol, Rob James-Collier, Lara Spencer. The Talk: Lily Aldridge, Elvis Duran, Chi-Lan Lieu. Ellen DeGeneres: Amy Poehler. Wendy Williams: Todd Chrisley. Meredith Vieira: Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Dean Cain. Queen Latifah: Zoe Saldana, B.J. Novak (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Joaquin Phoenix, Christela Alonzo, Al Green. Jimmy Fallon: Chris Rock, Carrie Underwood. Jimmy Kimmel: Aaron Paul, Krysten Ritter, Bobby Shmurda. Seth Meyers: Eliza Coupe, the Eeries, Bob Mould. Craig Ferguson: Carrie Fisher, Dave Attell. Carson Daly: Kurt Sutter, Shannon & the Clams, Tiffany Haddish. Tavis Smiley: Bryan Stevenson, Claudia Rankine. Jon Stewart: Norman Lear. Stephen Colbert: President Barack Obama. Conan O’Brien: Evangeline Lilly, Jackson Browne.