The 50-year career of the flamboyant pop star is retold in the new documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late” (Disney+, streaming), framed around preparations for his final North American concert at Dodger Stadium two years ago, during which he recalls his early days.
After 14 seasons and 292 episodes, the popular Friday police show with Tom Selleck and Donnie Wahlberg “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.) comes to an end, apparently with a gang war. A funeral scene is part of the finale, according to video previews.
“Dexter,” the memorable cable series that ran eight seasons from 2006 to 2013, returning for a sequel in 2021, now goes the road of “NCIS” with its own prequel. “Dexter: Original Sin” (Showtime, ), featuring neither Michael C. Hall nor anybody else in the previous series. Patrick Gibson stars as college grad Dexter, with Molly Brown as his adoptive sister Debra, and Harry Morgan as his adoptive father Harry Morgan. (Hall is supposed to return next year in his own spinoff, “Dexter: Resurrection”).
Taron Egerton stars as a TSA agent who goes up against a terrorist on a Christmas Day flight in the form of Jason Bateman in the thriller “Carry On” (Netflix, streaming). Sofia Carson and Dean Norris also star.
The most unexpected collaboration of the night happens at “The Violent Femmes’ 40th Anniversary with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
From Spain comes a new drama series “1992” (Netflix, streaming), about a series of murders in which the victims are burned and a doll of Expo ’92 in Seville are found nearby.
“Happy’s Place” (NBC, 8 p.m.) starts getting restaurant reviews.
An appliance turns up dead on “Lopez vs. Lopez” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
“Fire Country” (CBS, 9 p.m.) fights an underground blaze threatening the town.
James finds an old game console on the first of two new episodes of “Children Ruin Everything” (CW, 9 p.m.).
“Shark Tank” (ABC, 8 p.m.) hears some holiday pitches.
The first of two new episodes of “Inside the Enchanted Forests” (Nat Geo Wild, 9 p.m.) focuses on the wetlands.
“S.W.A.T.” (CBS, 8 p.m.) tries to stop a nuclear attack on Los Angeles.
To balance out its unending stream of Christmas rom-coms, here’s a Hanukkah one. Stacey Farber and Daren Kasasoff star in “Hanukkah on the Rocks” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) about a quest for holiday candles and possibly, love. Marc Summers co-stars as the grandfather.
On the thriller “There’s a New Killer in Town” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.) there is some suspicion surrounding a newcomer.
Tunneling is the tested skill on the first of two episodes of “Human vs. Hamster” (Magnolia, 8 p.m.).
The Christmas rom-com “A Holiday Hideout” (UPtv, 7 p.m.), involves a private detective guarding two people in the witness protection program.
“Gold Rush” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) considers flooding the valley.
It’s not enough to now down forests by clear-cutting. The crews on “The Last Woodsmen” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) are now blasting to gain access to the wilderness.
“Belle Collective” (OWN, 8 p.m.) has clashes over grand openings.
Death by lawnmower at a football game is considered on “The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd” (History, 9 p.m.).
“Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo” (History, 10 p.m.) looks for hidden treasures.
Gregory Peck is star on Turner Classic Movies with “MacArthur” (8 p.m.), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (10:30 p.m.), “Cape Fear” (12:45 a.m.), “Captain Horatio Hornblower” (2:45 a.m.) and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” (4:45 a.m.).
During the day are 1930s women in trouble “Numbered Men” (7 a.m.), “Scarlet Pages” (8:15 a.m.), “Playing Around” (9:30 a.m.), “Night Waitress” (10:45 a.m.), “Paid” (noon), “The Widow from Chicago” (1:30 p.m.), “Alias French Gertie” (2:45 p.m.), “The Woman Racket” (4 p.m.), “Framed”(5:30 p.m.) and “Three on a Match” (6:45 p.m.).
NBA action has Clippers at Denver (NBA, 9 p.m.).
Hockey has Ottawa at Carolina (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball has Indiana at Nebraska (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Jimmy Fallon. The View: Lisa Kudrow. The Talk: Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Tammy Pescatelli. Kelly Clarkson: Eddie Redmayne, “Queer Eye” Fab 5. Drew Barrymore: Christian Slater, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Danny Bellegrino. Jennifer Hudson: Lucky Daye. Tamron Hall: Lish Steiling.
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Daniel Craig, Auli’i Cravalho. Jimmy Kimmel: Kerry Washington, Jimmy O. Yang, the Red Cray Strays. Jimmy Fallon: Angelina Jolie, Sebastian Stan, Andrew Ridgeley, Laura Peek. Seth Meyers: Kristin Chenoweth, Jimmy O. Yang. Taylor Tomlinson: Milana Vayntrub, Jessica Lowe, Jason Ritter, Justin Hartley.