It’s a series that has always tested the moral boundaries of its watchers in an age of robotics and artificial intelligence. Now the single episode “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” (Netflix, streaming) will put you on the record.
The story of a video game programmer tumbling into the netherworld of fantasy and reality is charted by the individual viewer in one of the first “Choose Your Own Adventure” narratives that can be chosen and changed by watchers in literally a trillion different ways. Set in the 80s, a viewer’s choices could lead to disaster or lead to victory through the path. Didn’t like how it ended up? Try again.
There have been other interactive viewing experiences on Netflix, but they’ve mostly been for children’s viewing, such as “Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic.” This is the first one meant for adults.
The end of the year also means winding up the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein. Tanglewood’s Bernstein Centennial Celebration in August is featured on “Great Performances” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). Audra McDonald hosts the event that includes performances from Yo-Yo Ma and Midori and the participation of five different conductors.
The latest countdown of the year comes from a magazine: “Poster’s Best of 2018” (CW, 9 p.m.).
It plays opposite he big, weird concert “Garth: Live at Notre Dame!” (CBS, 8 p.m.) getting a replay.
It’s Purdue vs. Auburn (ESPN, 1:30 p.m.) in the Music City Bowl, West Virginia vs. Syracuse (ESPN, 5:15 p.m.) in the Camping World Bowl, and Iowa State vs. Washington State (ESPN, 9 p.m.) in the Alamo Bowl.
“Midnight, Texas” (NBC, 8 p.m.) ends its season with a final battle against the Dark Witches taking over the town.
The new “Extreme Love” (We, 10 p.m.) looks at various couples having unusual challenges.
Tracy Morgan orders a shark tank on “Tanked” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.).
In the new imported Indian series “Selection Day” (Netflix, streaming), a 14-year-old trains for cricket greatness.
From Australia comes “Instant Hotel” (Netflix, streaming), a reality series in which couples who turn homes into inns also judge competitors doing the same.
The new true crime series “Murder Mountain” (Netflix, streaming) looks at the world of legal marijuana in California that has also seen its share of missing persons.
“A Twelve Year Night” (Netflix, streaming) is a new film with subtitles about the struggles of political prisoners in Uruguay, one of whom becomes the future president José Mujica.
Another imported film “When Angels Sleep” (Netflix, streaming) is a thriller about a businessman who hits a woman with a car in the middle of nowhere and endures the wrath of her friend.
The Friday night Songs on Screen spotlight on Turner Classic Movies concludes with some great ones: The Beatles in “A Hard Day’s Night” (8 p.m.), Elvis in “Jailhouse Rock” (9:45 p.m.) and the Who in “Tommy” (11:30 p.m.), followed by Judy Garland in “A Star is Born” (1:30 a.m.) and Esther Williams in “Neptune’s Daughter” (4:45 a.m.).
Earlier, it’s all about the Great White Way with the musicals “Broadway Rhythm” (6:30 a.m.), “Broadway Melody of 1936” (8:30 a.m.), “Broadway Melody of 1938″ (10:30 a.m.), “Broadway Melody of 1940” (12:30 p.m.), “Broadway Serenade” (2:30 p.m.), “Two Girls on Broadway” (4:30 p.m.) and “The Barkleys of Broadway” (6 p.m.).
Pro basketball has Dallas at New Orleans (NBA, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Illinois-Chicago at Wright State (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Southern at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.).
For tennis’ Hopman Cup, it’s Great Britain vs. Greece (Tennis, 9 p.m.).
In the World Junior Hockey Championship, it’s Czech Republic vs. Russia (NHL, 8 p.m.) and Kazakstan vs. U.S. (NHL, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
All reruns: Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Tyler Perry, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Daniel Cormier. The View: Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalhoub. The Talk: Trichina Arnold, Beth Behrs, Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Sean Valentine, Carrie Ann Inaba. Ellen DeGeneres: Michelle Obama. Wendy Williams: Lore Bergamot, A.J. Gibson. The Real: Jeffrey Wright.
Late Talk
Reruns all: Stephen Colbert: Melissa McCarthy, Phoebe Robinson. Jimmy Kimmel: Ben Stiller, Marina de Tavira, Yalitza Aparicio, Gryffin with Elley Duhe. Jimmy Fallon: Dolly Parton, Nick Kroll. Seth Meyers: Howie Mandel, Danielle Macdonald, Mehdi Hasan, Nikki Glaspie. James Corden: Maya Rudolph, Nick Kroll, Rufus Wainwright. Carson Daly: Dermot Mulroney, William Elliott Whitmore, JD Pardo.