The Scottish comic actor, who won a Tony for his work in Cabaret” and is known for his dramatic turn on “The Good Wife,” sings and entertains in his revue “Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). Earlier, his film “The Anniversary Party” (Starz, 6:15 p.m.) is on.
Opioids are such a problem five networks spread the word at once by presenting the half-hour special “Listen: Facing Addiction in America” (MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, BET, 8 p.m.).
Gretchen Carlson talks about her sexual harassment suit at Fox News on “20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
The guys from BBC’s “Top Gear,” Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May start a new international car show “The Grand Tour” (Amazon, streaming), starting in California.
On “Dateline” (NBC, 9 p.m.), Keith Morrison looks into the 2011 murder of a woman whose husband had his conviction overturned.
Angela Merkel is back on TV, this time played by the comedian on “Tracey Ullman’s Show” (HBO, 11 p.m.).
“Colin Quinn: New York Story” (Netflix, streaming) is a new standup special about his town.
For the kids, a new season of “Bed Bugs” (Netflix, streaming), with Beatles songs animated and sung by artists other than the Beatles, unloads a second season.
“Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Recorded Music” (PBS, 10 p.m.) gets funky, looking at the beats behind Little Richard, James Brown, the Bee Gees and Beyonce in its fifth chapter.
This is the party Dave Chappelle was talking about: “BET Presents Love: & Happiness: An Obama Celebration” (BET, 7:50 p.m.) marking the end of the president’s eight years. The White House concert special” features performances from Jill Scott, Usher, Common, the Roots, Busta Rhymes, Janelle Monae, De La Soul, Yolanda Adams, Michelle Williams, Bell Biv DeVoe and Kiki Sheared. The event, hosted by Terence J and Regina Hall, is no lame duck.
Much of “Washington Week” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) will likely deal with the death this week of its longtime host Gwen Ifill.
Rebecca finds she has more in common with Josh’s ex-girlfriend on “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Matt tries to decipher a mysterious box of messages on “The Vampire Diaries” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
A JFK conspiracy theorist is murdered on “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
The Pope may be stepping in on “The Exorcist” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) chefs cook for an international ballroom dance competition.
It’s been Thanksgiving on every sitcom this week, and now on “Last Man Standing” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and “Dr. Ken” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) too.
Merika hits rock bottom on “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” (WE, 9 p.m.), which means: There’s a character named Merika!
So pointless by now: “Michael Moore in TrumpLand” (Showtime, 8 p.m.).
The month-long Friday night salute to Natalie Wood on Turner Classic Movies continues with her work from the early 1960s, “Splendor in the Grass” (8 p.m.), “West Side Story” (10:15 p.m.), “Love with the Proper Stranger” (1 a.m.), “Gypsy” (3 a.m.) and “Cash McCall” (5:30 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops today includes Davidson vs. Missouri (ESPNU, 11:30 a.m.), Villanova vs. Wake Forest (ESP2, 1:30 p.m.), Clemson vs. Xavier (ESPNU, 1:30 p.m.), Mississippi vs. Oral Roberts (CBS Sports, 3 p.m.), Pittsburgh vs. Marquette (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.), Arizona State vs. Tulane (ESPNU, 5 p.m.), Montana vs. North Carolina State (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Southern Methodist vs. Michigan (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Northern Iowa vs. Oklahoma (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), and Charleston vs. Central Florida (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.).
Pro basketball includes Golden State at Boston (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at Sacramento (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
College football includes Memphis at Cincinnati (CBS Sports, 8 p.m.) and UNLV at Boise State (ESPN2, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: William H. Macy, Dev Patel, Ryan Seacrest. The View: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Folger. The Talk: Sarah Hyland. Chelsea Handler: Jake Tapper, Matt LeBlanc, Adam Garone. Harry Connick: Scotty McCreery, Jeff Watson. Ellen DeGeneres: Serena Williams, Vince Vaughn. Wendy Williams: Young M.A. The Real: Miss Robbie, Tim Norman, Monica.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: William H. Macy, Colin Quinn, Drive-By Truckers. Jimmy Kimmel: Matthew Broderick, TIP, Butch Walker (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Megan Kelly, Chris Hardwick, Emeli Sande. Seth Meyers: Wendy Williams, Chris Hayes, Lukas Graham, Keith Carlock (rerun). James Corden: Jamie Lee Curtis, Kumail Nanjiani, Skylar Grey (rerun). Carson Daly: Sterling K. Brown, Radical Face, Johnny Pemberton (rerun).