The documentary “Mickey: The Story of a Mouse” (Disney+, streaming) takes a look at the durable cartoon personality and how he’s changed in his more than 90 years.
The recent horror film “Smile” (Epix, 8 p.m.) with Sosie Bacon, Kyle Gallner and Caitlin Stasey, makes its premium cable debut.
“Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” (Apple TV+, streaming) has a special holiday special, “Night of the Lights Holiday Special.”
“The Great British Baking Show: Holidays” (Netflix, streaming) returns for its fifth holiday go-round.
From Spain, the teen series “Elite” (Netflix, streaming) returns for a sixth season one of these days they’ll all have to graduate.
Though she emerged with a surprise comeback at Newport this year, and is doing some limited shows next year, Joni Mitchell won’t take part in the tribute to her music on “Next at the Kennedy Center” (PBS, 9 p.m.). Instead, Lalah Hathaway, Renée Fleming, Jimmy Herrod, Raul Midón and Aoife O’Donovan will take on her songs.
The 20th season of “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) concludes with guests Matthew Perry, Laura Coates and Jonathan Haidt.
“Josh Turner: King Size Manger” (UPtv, 7 p.m.) is a Christmas music special from the country and gospel singer, intended to promote his new Yuletide album of the same name.
A couple more new holiday films premiere tonight on cable: “Inventing the Christmas Prince” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) with Tamera Mowry-Housley and Ronnie Rowe Jr., and “A Country Christmas Harmony” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.) with Brooke Elliott and Brandon Quinn, about a country star who returns home for a concert.
On the other hand, there is also the true crime “Homicide for the Holidays” (Oxygen, 9 p.m.).
“Young Rock” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) wants a Nintendo.
A fallen hiker is rescued in “Fire Country” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
On “Lopez vs. Lopez” (NBC, 8 p.m.), Mayan lies about speaking Spanish.
Eddie won’t arrest a female subject on “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
“S.W.A.T.” (CBS, 8 p.m.) goes after an abducted cop.
Cheese delivery is pitched on “Shark Tank” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (CW, 9 p.m.) spotlights Gary Anthony Williams.
More than three hours of “Gold Rush” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) tells me they’re in no rush at all.
“The UnXplained” (History, 9 p.m.) looks at mysterious triangles beyond Bermuda.
Even without commercials, Turner Classic Movies can’t resist starting to show its holiday fare, with “Christmas in Connecticut” (8 p.m.). “The Bishop’s Wife” (10 p.m.) and “Meet Me in St. Louis” (noon). Then comes two thrillers from the 80s, “Blue Steel” (2 a.m.) and “Road Games” (4 a.m.).
During the day TCM chilly themes with “The Viking” (9:15 a.m.), “Ariel” (11 a.m.), “Arctic Fury” (12:15 p.m.), “Winter Light” (1:30 p.m.), “The Thing from Another World” (3:15 p.m.), “The Snow Devils” (4:45 p.m.) and “Snow Trail” (6:30 p.m.).
NBA action includes Milwaukee at Philadelphia (ESPN, 7:45 p.m.) and Knicks at Golden State (ESPN, 10 p.m.).
College football has South Florida at Tulsa (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) and San Diego State at New Mexico (Fox Sports 1, 9:45 p.m.).
College hoops includes Virginia vs. Baylor (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Villanova at Michigan State (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.) and Illinois vs. UCLA (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Michelle Williams, Tituss Burgess. The View: Tarana Burkę. The Talk: Candace Cameron Bure, Pom Klementieff. Drew Barrymore: Jesse Williams, Gayle King, Meena Harris. Kelly Clarkson: Christina Applegate, Lizzy Caplan, Josh Dallas, Alex Aster. Jennifer Hudson: Sam Smith, Morris Day. Tamron Hall: Marsai Martin, Melissa Joan Hart, CeCe Winans, Alvin Love II.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: John Oliver, Chris Evans, cast of “The Lion King” (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Samuel L. Jackson, Neal Brennan, Wizkid. Seth Meyers: Florence Pugh, Steve Kornacki (rerun). James Corden: Billy Eichner, Maya Hawke, Mt. Joy (rerun).