This season’s “Homeland” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) has been almost chillingly prescient. As a big terrorist attack is about to go off in Berlin, they’ve even had to loop in last minute dialog about what really happened in Paris. And yet it’s Carrie alone who must go through the train tunnels alone to stop the mass killing in tonight’s fifth season finale.
It’s accompanied by a second season finale for “The Affair” (Showtime, 10 p.m.), which has grown in assured storytelling all year and had some great performances. We assume that the court case teased all season will culminate.
Weird timing for the Miss Universe Pageant (Fox, 7 p.m.). Not that it’s on before Christmas; but that it’s still on in the 21st century.
It’s Arizona at Philadelphia (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) on Sunday Night Football. Earlier, it’s Buffalo at Washington (Fox, 1 p.m.), Kansas City at Baltimore (CBS, 1 p.m.) and Denver at Pittsburgh (CBS, 4:25 p.m.).
Apple CEO Tim Cook and actor Michael Caine are profiled on “60 Minutes” (CBS, 7:30 p.m.).
A seventh season starts for “Undercover Boss” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.), with the head of Buffalo Wings & Rings going back into the kitchen.
This will be fun: A replay of “The Sound of Music: Sing-a-Long” (ABC, 7 p.m.) with all the lyrics on the screen.
If you wonder how all this happened, there is a two hour documentary, “The Making of Trump” (A&E, 8 p.m.).
There’s an update of a strong 2010 documentary “Gunfight: Remington Under Fire” (CNBC, 9 p.m.) about claims that Remington hunting rifle is prone to firing on its own and the manufacturer knew about it for decades.
Another high powered businesswoman is melted by the holiday when she has second thoughts about selling the Christmas tree farm she’s inherited in the new TV movie “Christmas Land” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.). Nikki DeLoach and and Luke MacFarlane star.
Your last Sunday before Christmas is full of holiday movies of course with replays of “A Crown Christmas” (Hallmark, 6 p.m.), “A Christmas Kiss” (ION, 7 p.m.), “The Flight Before Christmas” (Lifetime, 7 p.m.), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (ABC Family, 7 p.m.), “Miracle on 34th Street” (Sundance, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.), “Christmas Belle” (ION, 9 p.m.), “A Gift Wrapped Christmas” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), “Elf” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.) and “Christmas Under Wraps” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.). Not about the “Simpsons” dog: the movie “Santa’s Little Helper” (USA, 8 p.m.).
A winner is named on the “Holiday Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.), so can we start eating the cookies now?
It’s one of those weird Sundays where there’s no original programming on HBO of any kind. Instead a double play of “Divergent” (HBO, 7 p.m.) and “The Divergent Series: Insurgent” (HBO, 9:30 p.m.).
“Inside LEGO” (National Geographic, 8 p.m.) provides a peek inside the Danish factory.
Unfortunately “Super Soul Sessions” (OWN, 8 p.m.) isn’t about music, it’s about positive thinking from the likes of Iyania Vanzant and Deepak Chopra.
Opening night approaches on “Flesh and Bone” (Starz, 8 p.m.) and they’re not even doing “The Nutcracker.”
Instead of that other overhyped space franchise, this one: “Star Trek Into Darkness” (FX, 8 p.m.).
The vivacious Eleanor Powell is featured in “Broadway Melody of 1940” (TCM, 8 p.m.) and “Born to Dance” (TCM, 10 p.m.). After midnight comes two of Eric Rohmer’s moral tales, “My Night at Maud’s” (TCM, 2:30 a.m.) and “La Collectionneuse” (TCM, 4:30 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball today includes NJIT at St. John’s (Fox Sports 1, noon) and Pittsburgh vs. Davidson (ESPNU, noon). In women’s games, it’s Arkansas vs. Texas (Fox Sports 1, 2:30 p.m.) and Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M (Fox Sports 1, 5 p.m.).
Hockey has Washington at Rangers (NHL, 7 p.m.). In pro basketball, it’s Minnesota at Brooklyn (NBA, 1 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Chris Christie, Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri. CBS: Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush. NBC: Sanders, Trump, Clinton campaign chairman John Pedesta, Rep. Paul Ryan. CNN: Rand Paul, Martin O’Malley, Sen. Mitch McConnell. Fox News: Carly Fiorina, Rep. Adam Schiff.