Comedian Quinta Brunson stars as a Philly teacher in the new workplace comedy “Abbott Elementary” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.), which takes an “Office” style mockumentary approach with a cast that includes Tyler James Williams, Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Tonight is just a “preview”; the series run begins Jan. 4.
Jimmy Kimmel’s “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” (ABC, 8 p.m.) continues with re-enactments of the comedies “The Facts of Life” and “Diff’rent Strokes.” What’s really diff’rent is that adults will play the kids’ parts. Among those taking part: Jennifer Aniston, Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart, John Lithgow, Damon Wayans, Jon Stewart, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Tolman and Ann Dowd. And some surprises.
Let’s hear it for the people. They voted on winners in the 2021 People’s Choice Awards (NBC, E!, 9 p.m.). Halle Berry and Dwayne Johnson will receive special awards; Kenan Thompson hosts.
There will be another Red Carpet Special (E!, 7 p.m.) but this time the network gets to stick around and simulcast the ceremony for the first time.
The 2017 death of a Baltimore detective before he got a chance to testify against his colleagues 4gets a careful inspection in “The Slow Hustle” (HBO, 8 p.m.), a true crime documentary from Sonja Sohn, herself once part of another Baltimore police saga, “The Wire.”
What’s been missing in those alone-in-the-wild reality series? Pets! The new “Called to the Wild” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.) fixes that, dropping humans and their dogs to the wilderness to survive.