The policy in the first Trump term of deliberate family separation at the border, cages and all, is recounted in documentarian Errol Morris’ latest film, “Separated” (MSNBC, 9 p.m.), based on the reporting of NBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff. Its cable premiere comes as a second Trump administration promises mass deportation. The director was miffed that the network, which acquired the film in October, held it until December, after the election, to make its premiere.
The story behind the man behind the cape — and the horse accident that left him paralyzed, is the subject of the documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” (HBO, 8 p.m.), making its premium cable debut.
College football reaches its championship weekend with Iowa State vs. Arizona State (ABC, noon) in the Big 12, Ohio vs. Miami, Ohio (ESPN, noon) in the MAC, Southern at Jackson State (ESPN2, 2 p.m.) in the SWAC, Texas vs. Georgia (ABC, 4 p.m.) in the SEC, Marshall at Louisiana Lafayette (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) in the Sun Belt, and in prime time, Clemson vs. SMU (ABC, 8 p.m.) in the ACC championship opposite Penn State vs. Oregon (CBS, 8 p.m.) in the Big 12.
Another five new made-for-TV Christmas movies premiere today, with “A California Christmas” (CW, 8 p.m.), “Once Upon a Christmas Wish” (Great American Family, 8 p.m.) with Mario Lopez and Courtney Lopez, “Sugarplummed” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) with Maggie Lawson and Janel Parrish; “A Very Merry Beauty Salon” with Tia Mowry and RonReaco Lee; and “A Season to Remember” (OWN, 9 p.m.) with Michele Weaver and Nathan Owens.
On the day that will live in infamy, the History Channel actually returns to history with a series of documentaries marking the 83rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor: “Tora, Tora, Tora: The Real Story of Pearl Harbor” (7 a.m.), “Pearl Harbor: Survivors Remember” (9 a.m.) and “Pearl Harbor: 24 Hours After” (11 a.m.). Before long, though, it’s back to ghost-hunting, UFOs and the supernatural.
Svengoolie cooks up “Comedy of Terrors” (MEtv, 8 p.m.).
A pursuit off the coast of Vieques nets a cocaine bust on “To Catch a Smuggler: Tropical Takedown” (National Geographic, 10 p.m.).
“Holiday Baking Championship” (Food, 8 p.m.) has a Friendsgiving episode.
There’s another two episodes of trying again on “Second Chance Stage” (Magnolia, 8 and 9 p.m).
“The Woman King” director Gina Prince-Bythewood picks the films tonight on Turner Classic Movies. Her choices: “Central Station” (8 p.m.) and “Fruitvale Station” (10 p.m.). The 12 o’clock noir is “Act of Violence” (midnight), followed by a Kim Novak double feature, “The Legend of Lylah Clare” (1:45 a.m.) and “Of Human Bondage” (4 a.m.). The midday musical is “Ski Party” (noon).
Hockey has Toronto at Pittsburgh (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Kansas State at St. John’s (Fox, 11:30 a.m.), Syracuse at Notre Dame (CW, noon), Clemson at Miami (ESPN2, noon), Rutgers at Ohio State (Fox Sports 1, noon), Providence at Rhode Island (CBS Sports, noon), South Florida at Loyola Chicago (USA, 12:30 p.m.), Wisconsin at Marquette (Fox, 1:30 p.m.), Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Iowa at Michigan (Fox Sports 1, 2 p.m.), Southern Utah at Arizona (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Virginia at SMU (CW, 2:15 p.m.), Washington State at Boise State (CBS, 4 p.m.), Florida State at North Carolina State (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), UNLV at Creighton (Fox Sports 1, 4 p.m.), Butler at Houston (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.) and Gonzaga vs. Kentucky (ESPN2, 10 p.m.).
Women’s games include Tennessee vs. Iowa (Fox, 7 p.m.) and Louisville vs. Connecticut (Fox, 9 p.m.).
Golf has third round play in the Hero World Challenge (Golf, noon; NBC, 2:30 p.m.).
Paul Mescal hosts a new “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) with musical guest Shaboozey. The rerun at 10 p.m. is the one from three weeks ago, with Charli XCX.