Things were more clear cut back when he was on “The Daily Show,” when fake news was just another word for satire. But now the term is a political weapon and there are a handful of satiric news shows. So Ed Helms seems a latecomer with his one-time one hour special “The Fake News with Ted Nelms” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.).
It was amusing to watch people get all excited about Golden Globe nominations this week, as they are the results of the shadowy Hollywood Foreign Press Association, an aggregation of 85 or so foreign or freelance writers working for publications you never heard of (if they publish at all; some investigations have found no clips from some members). But Hollywood glam is Hollywood glam, and even on shaky pretenses, when there’s a red carpet full of movie and TV stars, people pay attention.
So not only are the Golden Globes a big prime time event, so is a show tonight that is a compilation of past events. Debra Messing and Eric McCormack of “Will & Grace” (which was, unsurprisingly, nominated) host Golden Globes 75th Anniversary Special (NBC, 9 p.m.), chock with past moments, like Renee Zellweger being in the bathroom when their award was announced. They probably won’t cover that era when fraud took the whole thing off of network TV for six years.
The importance of the connector of North and South America in migration is seen in “Panama’s Animal Highway” (Smithsonian Channel, 8 p.m.). Here’s a piece I wrote about it for Smithsonian Magazine.com.
“The Librarians” (TNT, 8 p.m.), with Noah Wile and Rebecca Romijn, returns for its fourth season of protecting its secret library, this time from a Vatican sect.
The best post-Roy Moore analysis may come on “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.).
There’s a big showdown on the Christmas episode of “Riverdale” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
And there’s also a big plan to take down Diana Dubois on the midseason finale of “Empire” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
In yet another spinoff that combines genres — little people and home renovation — here’s “Little Women: Terra’s Big House” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), alongside the fourth season premiere of “Little Women: Atlanta” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).
Religious extremists won’t evacuate a forest fire on the midseason finale of “Designated Survivor” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Elliot tries to save Darlene on the midseason finale of “Mr. Robot” (USA, 10 p.m.).
“The A Word” (Sundance, 10 p.m.) ends its short season.
The Saxons devise a battle plan on “Vikings” (History, 9 p.m.).
Claire lands a big opportunity on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
A big showcase is on the horizon on “Star” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Are You the One?” (MTV, 10 p.m.) begins its reunion episodes.
Alliances are all messed up on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
Doris goes into labor on a Christmas-themed “American Housewife” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.). Same holiday on “Speechless” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.) and even “Dynasty” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
On the second episode of “Knightfall” (History, 10 p.m.), Pope Boniface arrives in Paris.
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) are in Milan.
Here’s the rare Hanukkah episode: On “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Happy!” (Syfy, 10 p.m.) gets even more strange.
“Ozzy and Jack’s World Detour” (A&E, 10 p.m.) goes to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon and Billy Idol.
NBA action has Oklahoma city at Indiana (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Charlotte at Houston (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Boston at Detroit (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Villanova at Temple (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Western Kentucky at Wisconsin (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Margot Robbie, Christina Hendricks, Lindsay Miller. The View: Joe Biden. The Talk: Nick Cannon, Paula Abdul. Harry Connick: John Cena, Joy Mangano, Caleb McLaughlin. Steve Harvey: Jack Black. Ellen DeGeneres: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Mario Lopez, Sia. Wendy Williams: Todrick Hall. The Real: Jordan Fisher, Kyle Anfernee.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Nick Jonas, Dennis Rodman, Jeezy with Tory Lanez. Jimmy Kimmel: Terry Bradshaw, Yvette Nicole Brown, John Legend, Sheila E. Jimmy Fallon: Michael Shannon, Alison Brie, Jaboukie Young-White and Jamaaladeen Tacuma. Seth Meyers: Sarah Paulson, Jack black, Tim Minchin. Carson Daly: Rian Johnson, the Dirty Nil, Coyote Peterson, My Ticket Home. Trevor Noah: Satya Nadella. Jordan Klepper: Chris Matthews. Conan O’Brien: Owen Wilson, Noah Gardenswartz.