Martin Scorsese brings in his repertoire players from past mob films — including Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel — and throws in Al Pacino for the formidable saga “The Irishman” (Netflix, streaming) which hits the small screen just weeks after its theatrical release. A three hour running time allows a survey of postwar organized crime in America including the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.
Instead of adding makeup to let the actors age, the cast, now largely elders, are treated to some new CGI that makes them appear younger and younger. Also in the epic: Ray Romano, Anna Paquin and Bobby Connavale. For Netflix, it’s as big an event as last year’s Oscar-winning “Roma.”
Also online, the new series “Broken” (Netflix, streaming) looks at fraud and corruption behind big products in the cosmetics, furniture and e-cigarette world. It’s from the makers of “Rotten” and was purposely scheduled to run before Black Friday.
According to the news special “The Plastic Problem: PBS Newshour Presents” (PBS, 10 p.m.), there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
Spying on animals has been made much easier through camera traps and drones, “Nova” (Animal Planet, 9 p.m.) reports.
“Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) removes another person from the table.
With 44 seasons (and last Saturday’s episode), there’s a lot of sketches to choose for the annual “Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving Special” (NBC, 9 p.m.), now apparently ready for prime time.
In the new holiday movie “A Very Vintage Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), Tia Mowry-Hardrict (whose twin sister Tamra has already starred in a Hallmark holiday movie this season) stars as an antique shop owner who tries to get a box of romantic moments back to its owner. Jesse Hutch and Patricia Richardson also star.
The curiously sadistic “Ellen’s Games of Games” (NBC, 8 p.m.) returns with more tasks.
Some people just want to ruin the holiday: Whoever scheduled “Frightsgiving: Unwanted Houseguests” (Travel, 9 p.m.) is one of them.
“The Great Food Truck Race” (Food, 10 p.m.) begins a new season in snowy Wolfeboro, N.H.
“Black Ink Crew” (VH1, 8 p.m.) throws a prom.
Ray leads the team on a rescue mission on “SEAL Team” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
“S.W.A.T.” (CBS, 10 p.m.) joins forces with the Los Angeles Organized Crime division.
Andi tries to keep her work and love life separate on “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” (BET, 10 p.m.).
Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll and Tracy Morgan lend their voices as “Crank Yankers” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.).
The month-long celebration of cinematography on Turner Classic Movies comes to an end with classics all day: “Three Colors: Blue” (6 a.m.), “Wings of Desire” (8 a.m.), “Paris, Texas” (10:30 a.m.), “Being There” (1 p.m.), “Das Boot” (330 p.m.), “In the Mood for Love” (6:15 p.m.), “Lawrence of Arabia” (8 p.m.), “Citizen Kane” (midnight) and “2001: A Space Odyssey” (4 a.m.) as well as a replay of the documentary “Image Makers: The Adventures of America’s Pioneer Cinematographers” (2:15 a.m.).
Basketball includes Brooklyn at Boston (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Lakers at New Orleans (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Philadelphia at Columbus (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Iowa State vs. Michigan (ESPN, noon), Alabama vs. North Carolina (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.), Michigan State vs. UCLA (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.), Mississippi vs. Penn State (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), South Carolina vs. Northern Iowa (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Kansas State vs. Bradley (Fox Sports 1, 6 p.m.), Gonzaga vs. Southern Miss (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Oklahoma State vs. Syracuse (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.), Wichita State vs. West Virginia (CBS Sports, 8:30 p.m.), Oregon vs. Seton Hall (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.) and Oregon State vs. San Jose State (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: John Bodega, Mark Cuban, Alfred Portale. The View: Disney on Ice. The Talk: Shania Twain. Ellen DeGeneres: Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen. Kelly Clarkson: Josh Gad, Grace VanderWaal. Tamron Hall: Kelly Rowland, Julia Collin Davison. Wendy Williams: Lea DeLaria. The Real: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jill Marie Jones, Vanessa Simmons, Tisha Campbell.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: LL Cool J, José Andrés. Jimmy Kimmel: Patrick Stewart, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Underwood, Old Dominion (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: John Boyega, Abigail Spencer, JP Saxe with Julia Michaels. Seth Meyers: Jeff Goldblum, Jacqueline Novak. James Corden: Evan Rachel Wood, Melissa Benoist, Mike Birbiglia, Bloc Party. Lilly Singh: Esther Povitsky, Brenda Song. Trevor Noah: Lin-Manuel Miranda (rerun). David Spade: Jeff Ross, Brad Williams, Annie Lederman (rerun).