In June 2014, a 79-year-old white Methodist minister drove to his tiny hometown intending to make a statement about the racism in his community and country: He set himself on fire. A film by Joel Fendelman, “Man on Fire,” looks into the story and the racism that triggered the man. It premieres on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Another documentary tonight, the comedy director Steve Burrows chronicles his mother’s fraught journey through flawed American health care over the past decade in his film “Bleed Out” (HBO, 8 p.m.).
And the shaky world of pro-profit higher education that enriches the industry while crippling students with debt is surveyed in Alexander Shebang’s “Fail State” (Starz, 9 p.m.).
Sutton Foster and the actor Hugh Bonneville are special guests on this year’s edition of “Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Some of the larger figures of the culture who died this year, from Aretha Franklin to Stephen Hawking, are recalled in a special “This Year in Memoriam 2018” (ABC, 10 p.m.) that has an unusual pair of co-hosts — “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, but also late night host Jimmy Kimmel.
“The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.) begins its live, two night finale. Blake Shelton has two from his team in the finals, Kirk Jay and Chris Kroeze; Kelly Clarkson has Chevel Shepherd in the race; Jennifer Hudson has Kennedy Holmes. But the bigger name may be the special guests, which include Panic at the Disco, John Legend, Esperanza Spalding, Marshmello, Halsey and Dierks Bentley.
A finale comes on a two hour “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (ABC, 8 p.m.), with the $50,000 prize money likely going to the inflated electric bills of the contestants.
Past contestants return to perform on a holiday special of “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 10 p.m.), hosted by Terry Crews and featuring the judges panel of Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B.
Adrian Dunbar stars in the new psychological thriller “Blood” (Acorn, streaming) as a detective suspected by his daughter in her mother’s death.
Regina King learns her relations to a civil rights leader on “Who Do You Think You Are?” (TLC, 9 p.m.). Then in a second episode at 10, Matthew Morrison traces his roots to the Revolutionary War.
Three remaining bakers in the “Holiday Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.) have to create an edible ornament and a cake that looks like a gift.
Claire quits her job and Jake worries about finances on “Happy Together” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
On “The Neighborhood” (CBS, 8 p.m.), Tina helps with Gemma’s big school fundraiser.
Sisters look for their birth mother on “Long Lost Family” (TLC, 8 p.m.).
Some leftover appraisals are on “Antiques Roadshow” (PBS, 8 p.m.).
Crime happened on Christmas too, as seen on Turner Classic Movies with “Lady on a Train” (8 p.m.), “Lady in the Lake” (10 p.m.), “Fitzwilly” (midnight), “Crooks Anonymous” (2 a.m.), “Cover-Up” (3:45 a.m.) and “Backfire” (5:15 a.m.).
There’s crime all day on TCM with “Villain” (6 a.m.), “Rififi” (7:45 a.m.), “The Asphalt Jungle” (10 a.m.), “Kansas City Confidential” (noon), “The Getaway” (2 p.m.), “High Sierra” (4:15 p.m.) and “White Heat” (6 p.m.).
Monday Night Football has New Orleans at Carolina (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.).
Basketball has Utah at Houston (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Memphis at Golden State (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Anaheim at Pittsburgh (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Davidson at Wake Forest (ESPNU, 7 p.m.) and Chicago State at Northwestern (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: David Muir, Brit Morin, Rita Ora. The View: Kerry Washington, Daniel Krauthammer, Marlo Thomas (rerun). The Talk: Gwen Stefani. Ellen DeGeneres: John Cena, Matha Stewart, Julia Garner (rerun). Wendy Williams: Josh McBride. The Real: Bobby Brown, Alicia Etheridge-Brown.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Sandra Bullock, Barry Jenkins. Jimmy Kimmel: Seth MacFarlane, Andrea Savage, Kodak Black. Jimmy Fallon: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tyler Blevins, Black Thought with Salaam Remi. Seth Meyers: Saoirse Ronan, Mike Birbiglia, Patrick Droney, Richard Danielson. James Corden: Armie Hammer, Amber Heard, Middle Kids, Cardi B. Carson Daly: Jameela Jamil, Jodie Whittaker, Mt. Joy, Algee Smith (rerun). Trevor Noah: Eve Ewing.