The distinction of heroes, hustlers and healers became pretty indistinct right away, but this season of “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) turned out pretty strong, mostly through the sheer will of Ben Driebergen, the ex Marine, who has been the target for elimination for weeks by the others, but found an individual immunity idol each time.
Scheming Chrissy Hofbeck has won more immunity challenges, but do she and Ryan Ulrich deserve to be there at all? The all around good guys have been Devon Pinto and “Doctor” Mike Zahalsky, but can they top the strength of Ben? The two hour season 35 finale is topped by a third hour of reunion (starting with the announcement of the $1 million winner) at 10.
It seems like only started yesterday, but it was actually the day before yesterday when the three episode “Gunpowder” (HBO, 10 p.m.) began, giving a new role to the “Game of Thrones” star Kit Harington but not a different look. The finale of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot finds him and Guy Fawkes amassing gunpowder beneath Parliament.
“America’s Badlands” (Smithsonian Channel, 8 p.m.) looks at the bison, black-tailed prairie dog and the burrowing owls in the rocks of the Midwest.
The second half of the reunion of “Are You the One?” (MTV, 10 p.m.) finds whether love was fleeting.
Singing persists on NBC even after the finale of “The Voice.” So here’s the first “Pitch Perfect” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.), just in time to hype the third installment out this weekend.
The Holy Grail is sought on “Knightfall” (History, 10 p.m.).
“Vikings” (History, 9 p.m.) go to North Africa.
Brie gets back into the ring on “Total Divas” (E!, 9 p.m.).
Margaret is making shoes on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
A replay of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (The CW, 8 p.m.) precedes a countdown of “The Top 12 Greatest Movies of All Time” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Santa goes on vacation on the first of two episodes of “The Librarians” (TNT, 8 p.m.).
There’s a Christmas theme, too, on “Happy!” (Syfy, 10 p.m.).
“Nova” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) tries to find out how smart birds are.
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) takes on the tax bill. Probably.
“Ozzy and Jack’s World Detour” (A&E, 10 p.m.) goes to Utah.
A night of nuggets from the Disney vault on Turner Classic Movies begins with the 1938 Mickey Mouse cartoon “Brave Little Tailor” (8 p.m.) followed by “The Story of Robin Hood” (8:15 p.m.), “The Sign of Zorro” (9:45 p.m.), “Toby Tyler” (11:30 p.m.), an episode of “Wonderful World of Color” (1:15 a.m.), “Pete’s Dragon” (2:15 a.m.), and “Fuzzbucket” (4:30 a.m.).
The Frisco Bowl has Louisiana Tech vs. SMU (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Monie’s new married life is threatened by a rumor on “Little Women: Atlanta” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.).
In men’s college basketball, it’s St. John’s vs. St. Joseph’s (ESPNU, 4:30 p.m.), Providence vs. Houston (ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.), North Texas at Georgetown (Fox Sports 2, 7 p.m.), Evansville at Duke (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Wagner at Seton Hall (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Wofford at North Carolina (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Albany at Louisville (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), South Carolina Upstate at Creighton (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) and Kansas State at Washington State (ESPN2, 11 p.m.).
In pro games, it’s Lakers at Houston (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Memphis at Golden State (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Detroit at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Christoph Waltz, Kandi Burruss, Andy Cohen. The View: Dr. Phil McGraw, Miles Teller (rerun). The Talk: Kunal Nayyar, Krista Smith, Carrie Ann Inaba (rerun). Harry Connick: Glenn Close, Hong Chau, Casey Webb. Steve Harvey: Gabrielle Union (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Sofia Vergara, Barbra Streisand (rerun). Wendy Williams: Kevin Nealon, Chassie Post (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Josh Earnest, Lisa Kudrow, Tony Rock (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Elizabeth Banks, Matt Smith, Chris Laker (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Christoph Waltz, Beanie Feldstein, Cardi B, Erykah Badu. Seth Meyers: Ansel Elgort, Martha Stewart, Nico De Soto. James Corden: Matthew Broderick, Gina Rodriguez, Christopher Meloni (rerun). Carson Daly: Paul Reiser, Warbly Jets, Vicky Krieps. Jordan Klepper: Danica Roem (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Bill Clinton, Jack Whitehall (rerun).