Once, it was the shining broadcast programming light between Christmas and New Year’s.
But “The 42nd Kennedy Center Honors” (CBS, 8 p.m.) has been moved up and out of that lowest rated week of the TV year.
Taped last Sunday, Linda Ronstadt, Sally Field, “Sesame Street,” Michael Tilson Thomas and Earth, Wind & Fire are honored with performances and testimonials that include Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, the Jonas Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Yuja Wang. LL Cool J hosts for the first time. Here’s a full report on the event held one week ago that I wrote for Entertainment Weekly.
The most daring and imaginative series of the fall, “Watchmen” (HBO, 9 p.m.) comes to a conclusion which can only possibly be monumental.
Pretty gloomy to see Melania stalking the gothic decorations in the White House. There is considerable brightening, presumably, when Marcia Brady herself takes over on “White House Christmas 2019” (HGTV, 5 p.m.) hosted by Maureen McCormick, recent cohost of the network’s recent “A Very Brady Renovation.” Alison Victoria of “Windy City Rehab” tags along.
Sunday Night Football has Buffalo at Pittsburgh (NBC, 8:20 p.m.). Earlier games include Minnesota at Chargers (CBS, 4:05 p.m.) and Rams at Dallas (Fox, 4:25 p.m.).
Elsewhere, the hills are alive with “The Sound of Music” (ABC, 7 p.m.).
Among the many holiday contests from “Holiday Wars” (Food, 9 p.m.) to “Holiday Gingerbread Showdown” (Food, 10 p.m.), here’s another: “The Christmas Caroler Challenge” (CW, 8 and 9 p.m.) among 12 competing groups.
“Rick and Morty” (Cartoon Network, 11:30 p.m.) presents the fifth episode of their long-awaited fourth season. Then they’ll take a break for a while.
Elliot goes to the power plant on “Mr. Robot” (USA, 10 p.m.).
Abby goes on a second date on “Work in Progress” (Showtime, 11 p.m.).
On “Ray Donovan” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), Smitty looks for some revenge against Adam Rain.
In the made-for-TV “A Cheerful Christmas” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) Erica Deuthschman plays a holiday advisor who helps a British lord (Chris Connell).
In the movie “Rediscovering Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), Jessica Lowndes is a department store window dresser who goes back home to decorate for a holiday festival.
In “Snowbound for Christmas” (UP tv, 7 p.m.), a marketing executive pitching a new project and her boss are snowed in at a fancy resort.
The misleadingly-titled “A Beauty & the Beast Christmas” (ION, 7 p.m.) features Leah Pipes as a preppy Christmas Influencer who is advised to fake a romance with a viral bad boy (Ryan Kellley) to get more followers.
A darker holiday tale comes in “Krampus” (FX Movies, 8:05 p.m.).
Bette has some campaign fallout on “The L Word: Generation Q” (Showtime, 10 p.m.)
“Impeachment: White House in Crisis” (MSNBC, 9 p.m.) reviews the consequential week just ended and the one ahead.
On “Shameless” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), Frank and Liam are approached by potential baby buyers.
Marlo has a surprise for Porsha on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo, 8 p.m.).
On “Bob’s Burgers” (Fox, 9 p.m.), Bob and Tina are trapped at home with Linda’s family.
There’s a special Christmas episode of “Very Cavallari” (E!, 10 p.m.).
“Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (E!, 9 p.m.) travels to Wyoming.
Pointless new trip: “Expedition Bigfoot” (Travel, 10 p.m.).
The Christmas double feature on Turner Classic Movies has “Holiday Affair” (8 p.m.) and “Remember the Night” (10 p.m.). The silent film at 12 o’clock is “Beauty’s Worth” (midnight) with Marion Davies, followed by Carl Dreyer’s “Ordet” (2 a.m.).
Basketball has New York at Denver (NBA, 8 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Minnesota at Chicago (NHL, 7 p.m.)
Men’s college hoops include Oklahoma State at Houston (ESPN, 3 p.m.), Southern Illinois Edwardsville at Northwestern (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) and South Carolina at Clemson (ESPN2, 5 p.m.).
Women’s games include Louisville at Kentucky (ESPN, 1 p.m.).
In men’s college soccer, it’s Virginia vs. Georgetown (ESPNU, 6 p.m.) in the NCAA tournament final.
Sunday Talk
ABC: Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Adam Schiff; Sen. Ted Cruz. CBS: Sens. Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. NBC: Sens. Chris Coons and Pat Toomey. CNN: Sens. Rand Paul and Sherrod Brown, Reps. Will Hurd and Karen Bass. Fox News: Schiff, former FBI Director James Comey, White House adviser Pam Biondi.