“Oprah Winfrey Special: First Lady Michelle Obama Says Farewell to the White House” (CBS, 8 p.m.) is an awfully long-winded title for two women sitting with each other by a fireplace in the White House, talking about the past and future. It’s the one where the First Lady says: “We are felling what not having hope is like.” So: A Christmas special.
Most regular series have their own Christmas specials. Here’s one from a show that isn’t even on the air currently: “America’s Got Talent Holiday Spectacular” (NBC, 8 p.m.) with the hosts singing carols with past winners, whose names we have already forgotten. One who is coming back is second place winner Jackie Evancho, who is also the only entertainer so far slated to perform the inauguration next month.
Speaking of which, they did build one: “The Wall” (NBC, 10 p.m.) turns out to be the name of a new game show, co-produced by LeBron James and Chris Hardwick that’s part trivia, part Plinko and part couples therapy.
A winner is named at the end of the two hour “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and thoughts turn to the effort in taking down all those lights.
The most traditional holiday tradition may be “Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) from Salt Lake City, with some guests from the Metropolitan Opera, Ben Bliss, Erin Morley, Tyler Simpson and Tamara Mumford.
Also traditional: over drinking in the holidays. A documentary, “Risky Drinking” (HBO, 8 p.m.), looks at the down side.
Gina Rodriguez hosts the “Marie Claire Young Women’s Honors” (The CW, 9 p.m.) honoring youthful females. Among them, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, Paralympic champion Tatyana McFadden and a critical care physician, Dr. Vanessa Kirby.
A new “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) interviews Glenn Beck.
The new “Leave It to Stevie” (VH1, 9 p.m.) follows the single life of Stevie J from “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” not to be confused with the regular “Love & Hip Hop” (VH1, 9 p.m.). An earlier spin-off, “K. Michelle: My Life” (VH1, 9:30 p.m.), starts its third season.
Tragedy strikes the colony on “Mars” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
Ozzie leaves Beacon in the two part season finale of “People of Earth” (TBS, 9 and 9:30 p.m.).
A Christmas Eve mountain trip on “Scorpion” (CBS, 10 p.m.) takes a dangerous turn.
The host of “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” (A&E, 10 p.m.) takes audience questions.
One of the first year-in-review shows has arrived in “This is History: 2016” (History, 10 p.m.).
The top 14 goes to runway school on “America’s Next Top Model” (VH1, 10 p.m.).
Kristi Yamaguchi is guest judge on a holiday-themed “Cake Wars” (Food, 9 p.m.).
A surprise party is planned for Shay and Carter on “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
Adam helps his daughter through a momentous occasion on “Man with a Plan” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
“People Magazine Investigates” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.) the JonBenet Ramsey case, just like everybody else.
“2 Broke Girls” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.) take a road trip to Los Angeles.
There’s a replay of the episode of “Best Bars in America” (Esquire, 10 p.m.) when they went to my favorite bars in D.C. “Booze Traveler” (Travel, 10 p.m.), meanwhile, goes to Ireland.
“Explorer” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.) looks at the wealth gap.
William Shatner brings a little “Star Trek” to “Star Talk” (National Geographic, 11 p.m.) with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Christmas movies tonight include “Elf” (Freeform, 6:50 p.m.), “Jack Frost” (Disney XD, 7 p.m.), “Deck the Halls” (AMC, 8 p.m.), “Arthur Christmas” (Disney, 8 p.m.), “12 Gifts of Christmas” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), “A Christmas Carol” (TNT, 8 and 10 p.m.), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (Freeform, 8:55 p.m.), “Home by Christmas” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) and “A Perfect Christmas” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.).
The director Amy Heckerling (“Clueless”), chooses the titles on Turner Classic Movies tonight. She picks “The Roaring Twenties” (8 p.m.), “Footlight Parade” (10 p.m.), “8 1/2” (midnight), “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (2:30 a.m.), “The Spy in Black” (4 a.m.) and “Bon Voyage” (5:30 a.m.).
Monday Night Football has Carolina at Washington (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
In the Miami Beach Bowl, it’s Central Michigan vs. Tulsa (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Tennessee State at Duke (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Eastern Michigan at Syracuse (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), St. Francis at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Stanford at SMU (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Colorado at Air Force (CBS Sports, 9 p.m.), Southern Mississippi vs. Mississippi State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.) and Southwest Missouri State at DePaul (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
Women’s games include Ohio State at Connecticut (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.).
Pro basketball includes Phoenix at Minnesota (NBA, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Kevin Costner, Scott Wolf. The View: Megan Kelly, Simone Biles (rerun). The Talk: Kathy Bates (rerun). Harry Connick: Theresa Caputo, Sandra Lee, Serayah. Ellen DeGeneres: LeBron James, Aly Raisman, Jared Haibon, Ashley Iaconetti, Caila Quinn, Britney Spears (rerun). Wendy Williams: Shae Wilbur (rerun). The Real: Gary Owen, Monica (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Tom Hanks, OK Go. Jimmy Kimmel: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Riz Ahmed, Alan Tudyk, Ben Mendelsohn, Mads Mikkelsen, Gareth Edwards, A Tribe Called Quest (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Denzel Washington, Tony Bennett. Seth Meyers: Sarah Paulson, Taran Killam, Marc Andreyko, Tori Kelly, Craig Finn. James Corden: Shia LaBeouf, Cobie Smulders, Rachel Bloom (rerun). Carson Daly: Jon Glaser, Moving Units, Adam Conniver (rerun). Tavis Smiley: David Hockney (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Edward Norton, Alan Tudyk, the Revivalists.