it was a decade ago today that one of the deadliest tsunamis in history hit the Indian Ocean killing more than 250,000, leaving 1.7 million people homeless and affecting 18 countries. How can scientists better predict the next one? The special “The Next Mega Tsunami” (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.) look sat the clues, including looking at telltale signs hidden in bedrock in a cave denoting tsunamis going back 7,000 years. There is also plenty of chilling video from the 2004 event. And even more on “Tsunami: Day of Destruction” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.).
Among a handful of sitcom reruns of “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m.), “Cristela” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) and “Mom” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.), a new special, “Now That’s Funny: On Set with TV’s Hottest Comedies” (CBS, 8 p.m.) looks behind the scenes of “The Big Bang Theory,” “Modern Family,” “Parks and Recreation” and “Episodes.” Aisha Tyler hosts, even as she’s part of a couple of reruns of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (The CW, 8 and 8:30 p.m.).
Here’s a marathon you can get behind: To celebrate the impending release in HD, TV’s greatest drama “The Wire” (HBO2, noon) plays every one of its seasons each day. The first starts with a murder.
More candid hijinks are shown on “Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
“Glee” (Fox, 9 p.m.) returns with a Christmas rerun. There are also replays of “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special” (Fox, 8 p.m.), and “Bob’s Burgers” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
Not sure that “Gold Rush” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) requires its own talk after show, “Gold Rush: The Dirt” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).
The biography on Bing Crosby is repeated on “American Masters” (PBS, 9 p.m.) so you can hear what he really throughout about that “White Christmas” movie.
A Shroud of Turn type booth is found in a tiny church in Manoppello, Italy related to the Veil of Veronica, which is said to have a likeness of Jesus. A “Mythbusters” sounding show called “Myth Hunters” (American Heroes Channel, 10 p.m.) looks into it.
Guy Fieri inducts the Pork Hall of Fame on a new “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (Food, 9 p.m.).
A new special on The month-long Friday night salute to director and choreographer Charles Walters concludes on Turner Classic Movies with “Billy Rose’s Jumbo” (8 p.m.), “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” (10:30 p.m.), “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1 a.m.), “Two Loves” (3 a.m.) and “Summer Holiday” (4:45 a.m.).
In college football bowl games it’s Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech (ESPN, 1 p.m.) in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, Rutgers vs. North Carolina (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.) in the Quick Lane Bowl, and North Carolina State vs. Central Florida (ESPN, 8 p.m.) in the St. Petersburg Bowl.
In basketball, it’s Houston at Memphis (NBA, 8 p.m.).
No boxing on boxing day but there is “WWE Smackdown” (Syfy, 8 pm.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Denzel Washington, Bradley Cooper, Shawn Mendes (rerun). The View: Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chirlane McCray, Idina Menzel, Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz, Rachel Feinstein (rerun). The Talk: Scott Bakula, Brooke Anderson, John Besh (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Lena Dunham, Melissa McCarthy (rerun). Wendy Williams: Nina Terrero, K. Michelle (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Matt Lauer, Andrew Shue (rerun). Queen Latifah: Tyson Beckford, Laurie Metcalf, Jackie Evancho (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Joaquin Phoenix, Christela Alonzo, Al Green (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Jay Leno, Lucy Liu, Kevin Delaney, Dave Davies (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Mel Brooks, Christine Baranski, Jenny Lewis (rerun). Seth Meyers: Allison Williams, Dan Patrick, Josh Beckerman (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Tenacious D (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Berry Gordy, Suzanne de Passe (rerun).