Standalone Christmas episodes of popular TV series is more of a British thing. One is coming this weekend with “Doctor Who” (and BBC America is binging previous episodes until then). So it’s a sign of how international Netflix is that it has its own standalone special from one of its more out-there series. The “Sense8 Christmas Special” (Netflix, streaming) draws on the oddly connected characters from season one and may well tide you over until the second season starts in may.
Meantime, there’s a whole new animated children’s series dropping today online, except this one is from “Pan’s Labyrinth” director Guillermo del Toro. “Trollhunters” (Netflix, streaming) uses the voices of Kelsey Grammar, Steven Yeun, Ron Perlman and the late Anton Yelchin.
Also online, Eric McCormack stars in the latest time-traveling saga, “Travelers” (Netflix,streaming), this one from Canada.
It is a former “Doctor Who,” David Tennant who hosts with Catherine Tate (who also popped up on that show) who host “Shakespeare Live! From the RSC,” a two hour event on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) from the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon marking the 400th anniversary of the death of the bard. It also stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Joseph Fiennes, Judi Dench, John Lithgow, Helen Mirren, David Suchet and Ian McKellen.
Miranda Lambert headlines the annual adoption special that also features music, “A Home for the Holidays” (CBS, 8 p.m.) that also features Alessia Cara and Rachel Platten. The Royal ballet dances and Prince Charles joins in with Rufus Wainwright.
“20/20” (ABC, 10 p.m.) celebrates those who died this year, including Prince, David Bowie, Gene Wilder, Garry Shandling and Muhammad Ali. Too many people to fill an hour.
Two final episodes of “Terry Crews Saves Christmas” (The CW, 8 p.m.) aid a couple of parties and with that the holiday is apparently secured.
Here’s another go-round for “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (NBC, 8 p.m.), on its 50th anniversary year.
The month-long Friday night Myrna Loy celebration on Turner Classic Movies finally gets to “The Thin Man” (8 p.m.) and its sequels, “After the Thin Man” (9:45 p.m.), “Another Thin Man” (11:45 p.m.), “Shadow of the Thin Man” (1:45 a.m.), “The Thin Man Goes Home” (3:30 a.m.) and “Song of the Thin Man” (5:15 a.m.).
The bowl games start to proliferate with Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion (ESPN, 1 p.m.) in the Bahamas Bowl, Louisiana Tech vs. Navy (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.) in the Armed Forces Bowl, and Ohio vs. Troy (ESPN, 8 p.m.) in the Dollar General Bowl.
In the men’s college basketball Diamond Head Classic, it’s Tulsa vs. San Diego State (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.), Illinois State vs. San Francisco (ESPN2, 10 p.m.) and Hawaii vs. Utah (Fox Sports 1, 12:30 a.m.). In the Las Vegas Classic, it’s USC vs. Wyoming (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.) in the championship game. In the consolation game, it’s DePaul vs. Missouri State (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.).
In other men’s college basketball, it’s Auburn at Connecticut (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.), Providence at Boston College (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), Rutgers at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 6:30 p.m.) and Harvard at Houston (ESPN2, 8 p.m.).
Pro games include Oklahoma City at Boston (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Dallas at Clippers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Tom Hanks, Blair Underwood, Abbi Jacobson, Michael Buble. The View: Edward Norton (rerun). The Talk: Bryce Dallas Howard, Kevin Frazier (rerun). Harry Connick: Eric McCormack, Gretchen Mol. Ellen DeGeneres: Anna Kendrick, Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg, Donald Glover, Niall Horan (rerun). Wendy Williams: Brian Balthazar, Laurie Schacht (rerun). The Real: Keesha Sharp (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Chris Pratt, Jason Bateman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Stevie Wonder. Jimmy Kimmel: Jennifer Aniston, Tom Ford, Frenship (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Adam Driver, Rhett & Link, R. Kelly. Seth Meyers: Josh Meyers, Hilary & Larry Meyers (rerun). James Corden: Katie Holmes, Seth MacFarlane (rerun). Carson Daly: Ana Gasteyer, Tripides, Delanie Fischer (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Kenny Burrell (rerun).