A couple of interesting specials herald in the holiday season. On “Surprise! Instant Christmas Carol” (TBS, 10 p.m.), groups of celebrities show up in the public in an effort to bring cheer by singing carols. That includes Conan O’Brien, Rashida Jones, a group of errant “Sopranos” cast members (pictured above), Shaquille O’Neal with Ludacris, Jane Lynch with Kate Flannery, Kenny G with Samantha Ronson, as well as A$AP Ferg, Fred Willard and T-Pain.
Tony Hale of “Veep” hosts a smoother event, “Joe’s Pub Presents: A Holiday Special” (IFC, 10 p.m.) with Bridget Everett, Jo Firestone and Jen Kirkma. The house band are the Dap-Kings.
“Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special” (OWN, 8 p.m.) has the First Lady show off the holiday decorations to the former first lady of daytime TV. It’s followed by a re-airing of “Oprah Winfrey Special: First Lady Michelle Obama Says Farewell to the White House” (OWN, 9 p.m.).
The second installment of “Terry Crews Saves Christmas” (The CW, 8 p.m.) has him save a family’s fiesta.
Jessica Chasten goes “Inside the Actors Studio” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
The four episode “Polar Bear Town” (Smithsonian, 8 p.m.) winds up in Churchill, Manitoba.
They’re not quite the most fascinating people of the world, but a group of prominent personalities from 2016 that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michael Phelps, Chance the Rapper and activists in Flint, Mich., are called “Game Changers with Robin Roberts” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“Undercover Boss” (CBS, 8 p.m.), a series that overplays the big-heartedness of CEOs, returns with two episodes, one with the head of Build-A-Bear Workshop and the second with the mayor of Gary, Ind.
There’s a blackout on “Code Black” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (NBC, 8 p.m.), the animated musical adaptation with Jim Parsons as Buddy, gets a replay.
Last week’s premiere of “Star” (Fox, 9 p.m.) gets a replay.
Cassadee Pope goes against Dustin Lynch on “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike, 9 p.m.). Earlier, a holiday edition features Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie and the cast of “The Night Before.”
Ragnar acquires a surprising concession from King Ecbert on “Vikings” (History, 9 p.m.).
It’s all fact-checked later on “Real Vikings” (History, 10 p.m.).
“Cooks vs. Cons” (Food, 9 p.m.) attack frittatas.
“Wählbürgers” (A&E, 9:30 p.m.) seeks to expand to London.
“Little Women: Dallas” (Lifetime, 9 and 10 p.m.) ends its first season with a couple of episodes.
Brie and Nikki take an IQ test to see who is the smartest twin on “Total Divas” (E!, 9 p.m.). Can they both lose?
“That Awkward Game Show” (Spike, 9:30 p.m.) is at least honest about its intent.
Turner Classic Movies opens another value of Disney treasures, starting with the true-life nature tale of a squirrel, “Perri” (8 p.m.), and continuing with “Old Yeller” (9:30 p.m.), “The Littlest Outlaw” (11:15 p.m.), “The Ugly Duckling” (12:45 a.m.), “The Tortoise and the Hare” (1 a.m.), “The Ugly Dachshund” (1:15 a.m.), “A Tale of Two Critters” (3 a.m.), “Sammy the Way-Out Seal” (4 a.m.) and “The Relaxed Wife” (5:45 a.m.).
Earlier in the day there’s some classic noir with “Dial M for Murder” (9:30 a.m.), “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (noon), “Double Indemnity” (2 p.m.), “The Big Sleep” (4 p.m.) and “Mildred Pierce” (6 p.m.).
Today’s bowl game is BYU vs. Wyoming (ESPN, 9 p.m.) in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Men’s college basketball includes Fairfield vs. Boston College (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Elon vs. Duke (ESPN2, 6 p.m.), American at Villanova (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.), Kentucky at Louisville (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Northern Iowa at North Carolina (EPN2, 8 p.m.), Oklahoma vs. Auburn (CBS Sports, 8:30 a.m.), SIU-Edwardsville at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.), Clemson at South Carolina (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Virginia at California (ESPN2, 10 p.m.) and Kent State at Oregon State (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
Pro games include Milwaukee at Cleveland (NBA, 7 p.m.) and Dallas at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.).
Hockey action includes Washington at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, the Rockets, Christian Slater. The View: Martha Stewart, Jean Bell (rerun). The Talk: Dolly Parton, Natalie Morales (rerun). Harry Connick: Keegan-Michael Key, Ali Wentworth. Ellen DeGeneres: Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt (rerun). Wendy Williams: Shear Moore, Bill Bellamy, Nadine Velasquez (rerun). The Real: 2 Chainz, Angela Simmons (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Robert De Niro, Amy Schumer, John Krasinski, Millie Bobby Brown. Jimmy Kimmel: Blake Shelton, Andrea Riseborough (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Viola Davis, Nick Kroll, Chef Daniel Humm. Seth Meyers: Rachel Maddow, Kelly Osbourne, Mario Batali, Craig Finn. James Corden: Dana Carvey, Miles Teller, Usain Bolt (rerun). Carson Daly: Tricia Helfer, Temples, Trevante Rhodes (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Oliver Stone (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Bryan Cranston, James Franco, Barry Crimsons, Billie Joe Armstrong.