Critics sneered when “Mozart in the Jungle” (Amazon, streaming) got a couple of Golden Globe nominations last month. But it was the sort of thing the Hollywood Foreign Press would adore: a kind of goofy European appeal, and a foreign lead in the person of Gael Garcia Bernal in the person of a flamboyant new conductor of the New York Symphony.
As season two drops today, he’s toned down a bit, endearing himself of the orchestra while feeling challenged to improve them. There’s still a weird sexual attention with the young oboe understudy played by Lola Kirk. And there’s some promising additions to the cast from Gretchen Mol as a union organizer to producer Jason Schwartzman as an eccentric boyfriend. Malcolm McDowell and Bernadette Peters rerun in their roles as well. It is kind of entertaining and concerns an field not often reflected on the small screen.
Healthy eating is not always the top priority during holiday week, but here’s Michael Pollan looking at worldwide ways of eating right in the two hour “In Defense of Food” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) that takes him from Tanzania to Paris.
The occasional prank series “I Get That a Lot” (CBS, 8 p.m.) returns, putting celebrities in everyday situations and denying their identities. Tonight it includes Alex Trebek at a library, Rita Ora at a tanning salon and Kristin Chenoweth at a diner, taking orders.
Not to be confused with the CW’s quirky musical, “My Crazy Ex” (Lifetime Movie Network, 9 p.m.) re-enacts individual past mates who have done crazy things. It returns for a second season with a story about a woman who is arrested at a holiday party.
College football includes Auburn vs. Memphis (ESPN, noon) in the Birmingham Bowl, North Carolina State vs. Mississippi State (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.) in the Belk Bowl, Texas A&M vs. Louisville (ESPN, 7 p.m.) in the Music City Bowl and USC vs. Wisconsin (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.) in the Holiday Bowl.
Like the cheapskates they often profile, “Extreme Time Cheaters” (TLC, 9 p.m.) looks at people who like to multiply their multitasking by doing things like dishes in the shower.
On “Rev Runs Around the World” (Travel, 10 p.m.), he goes to Copenhagen and, in a second episode, Rome.
“Drugs Inc.” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) travels to Vancouver.
Turner Classic Movies’ December-long Wednesday night salute to Frank Sinatra on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth this month, concludes with the music special “Sinatra” (8 p.m.) and continues with the dramas “The Man with the Golden Arm” (9:15 p.m.), “The Joker is Wild” (11:30 p.m.), “Some Came Running” (1:45 a.m.) and “Sergeants 3” (4:15 a.m.)
Men’s college basketball includes West Virginia at Virginia Tech (ESPNU, noon), Indiana at Rutgers (ESPN2, 1 p.m.), Houston at South Florida (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Michigan at Illinois (ESPN2, 3 p.m.), Northwestern at Nebraska (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), Penn State at Maryland (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), Oakland at Virginia (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Clemson at North Carolina (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Seton Hall at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Arkansas at Dayton (CBS Sports, 8 p.m.), Syracuse at Pittsburgh (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Georgetown at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.), Wyoming at San Diego State (CBS Sports, 10 p.m.) and Fresno State at UNLV (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Pro basketball includes Lakers at Celtics (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Denver at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.).
Hockey has Rangers at Tampa Bay (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Philadelphia at San Jose (NBC Sports, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Hugh Jackman, Shay Mitchell, Shawn Mendes (rerun). The View: Bernie Sanders, Wendi McLendon-Covey (rerun). The Talk: John Stamos, Jaymes Vaughan (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Portia de Rossi, Courtney “Dytto” Kelly, Duran Duran, Janelle Monae (rerun). Wendy Williams: Pitbull (rerun). The Real: Sanaa Lathan (rerun). Meredith Vieira: John Edward (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Allen Leech, Adam McKay, Kurt Vile (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Ryan Seacrest, Giada De Laurentiis, Gavin James (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Will Ferrell, Alicia Vikander, Twenty One Pilots (rerun). Seth Meyers: Matthew Morrison, Uzo Aduba, A Great Big World (rerun). James Corden: Melissa Benoit, Olivia Wilde, Saoirse Ronan (rerun). Carson Daly: Michaela Watins Metz, Lightning Bolt (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Ian McKellen. Conan O’Brien: Daniel Radcliffe, Betsy Brandt, Saint Motel (rerun).