“The Colbert Report” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) comes to an end, at the peak of its considerable power: Snappy and consistently funny political commentary, delivered in the guise of a singular (and familiar) pundit blowhard, who will upstage any guest for applause (including the President earlier this month). We will find out who the actual Stephen Colbert is next year, when he takes over the desk of David Letterman’s “Late Show.” Tonight, it’s a farewell to the character he’s been playing for nine years, also named Stephen Colbert. Not that he’s leaving subtly: His final guest is Grimmy, his name for the Grim Reaper.
Another needless awards show makes its debut with “The People Magazine Awards” (NBC, 9 p.m.). live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in which we imagine celebrities like Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm and Michael Keaton are given free subscriptions. Two bands with the number five in their names perform: Maroon 5 and 5 Seconds of Summer as well as Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams. Nick Cannon hosts.
Pharrell Williams and Maroon 5 are also part of “The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2014” (The CW, 8 p.m. from New York’s Madison Square Garden last Friday with Taylor Swift. It also features Ariana Grande, Iggy Azelea, Charli XCX, Rita Ora, Sam Smith and Meghan Trainor.
You may not know it but Laverne Cox of “Orange is the New Black” is a fashion expert; enough of one anyway to be a guest judge on “Project Runway All Stars” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), where the task is to make clothes for Match.com members. “Project Runway: Threads” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), the competition for kids, ends its first season.
“White Collar” (USA, 9 p.m.) has its series finale, alongside the fifth season finale of “Covert Affair” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Remaining contestants on “The Biggest Loser” (NBC, 8 p.m.) travel to Hawaii.
“Surgeon Oz” (OWN, 10 p.m.) reaches a season finale. Now, like most of health care, you’ll have to wait months for the next appointment.
Duck and desserts are part of the challenge tonight on “The Taste” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Alyson Hannigan guest stars on a Christmas episode of “The McCarthys” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.).
A pair of reruns of “Bones” (Fox, 8 and 9 p.m.) constitutes one network’s programming tonight.
Turner Classic Movies goes to the Dickens with four different versions of Tiny Tim’s tale, the 1938 “A Christmas Carol” (8 p.m.), with Reginald Owen as Scrooge; the 1970 “Scrooge” (9:15 p.m.) with Albert Finney; the 1935 “Scrooge” (11:15 p.m.) with Sir Seymour Hicks, Peter Sellers in “A Carol for Another Christmas” (12:45 a.m.). It’s followed by a couple more Christmas parties, “Beyond Tomorrow” (2:15 a.m.) and Bergman’s “Fanny and Alexander” (3:45 a.m.).
Other Christmas fare includes the 1947 “Miracle on 34th Street” (AMC, 8 and 10:30 p.m.), “The Santa Clause” (ABC Family, 6:30 p.m.), “Fred Claus” (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.), “Best Christmas Party Ever” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) and “Christmas in Conway” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.).
Thursday Night Football has Tennessee at Jacksonville (NFL Network, 8:25 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops include Cleveland State at Virginia (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Seton Hall at South Florida (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), Connecticut vs. Duke (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and LSU at Alabama-Birmingham (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.).
NBA action includes New York at Chicago (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Colorado at Pittsburgh (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Oprah Winfrey, Christoph Waltz. The View: Nicki Minaj, Laverne Cox. The Talk: Simon Baker, Marcel Vigneron, Lilliana Vazquez. Ellen DeGeneres: Allison Janney. Wendy Williams: Donald Trump, Kate Dimmock. Meredith Vieira: Donald Trump, Cheryl Burke. Queen Latifah: Ben Kingsley, Jesse Williams (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Rosie O’Donnell, Jeff Altman. Jimmy Fallon: Amy Adams, Nick Offerman, Foo Fighters. Jimmy Kimmel: Mel Brooks, Christine Baranski, Jenny Lewis. Seth Meyers: Christoph Waltz, Uzo Aduba, Greg Warren. Craig Ferguson: Jim Parsons. Carson Daly: Jack O’Connell, Coves, Andrew Orvedahl. Tavis Smiley: Charles Bolden, Freeman Hrabowski. Jon Stewart: Chris Rock. Stephen Colbert: The Grim Reaper. Conan O’Brien: Orlando Bloom, John C. McGinley, Sebastian Maniscalco.