The newest series from “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter, “The Abandons” (Netflix, streaming), is set in 1874 Washington state, where families fight for land the way motorcycle clubs fought for drug turf, and they ride horses instead of iron ones. The two families in question are run by strong women in the mold of Barbara Stanwyck in “The Big Valley” but are formidable actresses in their own right.
But while Gillian Anderson maintains a steely countenance, Lena Headey of “The Game of Thrones” simply looks out of place with the kind of limp plumper they didn’t have in the 19th century West. And the action is awfully familiar – somebody’s killed, there’s payback, there’s more payback, etc.
The brief life of the singer-songwriter who died in 1997 at 30 is told in the documentary “Music Box: It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” (HBO, 9 p.m.).
From Colombia comes “Fugue State 1986” (Netflix, streaming), about a literature student who discovers that his mentor was behind a notorious mass killing, based on a 1986 massacre that killed 29.
From Thailand comes the second season of the thriller “The Believers” (Netflix, streaming) about three friends meshed in a political and religious conspiracy.
“Next Level Baker” (Fox, 9 p.m.) is a new, three-week holiday spinoff of Gordon Ramsay’s culinary competition “Next Level Chef.”
A new season comes for that gaudy electricity expenditure, “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (ABC, 9 p.m.), with six families’ displays on view over two episodes.
Get a taste of the decent streaming drama from Peacock “All Her Fault” (NBC, 10 p.m.) with Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning, when the first episode is shown on broadcast TV.
“Elsbeth” (CBS, 10 p.m.) investigates a college basketball murder.
Olympia toys to repair her relationship with her family on “Matlock” (CBS, 9 p.m.).
Some oldies return for the season tonight, both the 1966 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and the 1969 “Frosty the Snowman” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) returns for its 15th season with Rachel Zoe, Kathy Hilton and Jennifer Tilly among the new faces.
George needs help for the tire store on “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Best Christmas Movies Ever!” (CW, 8 p.m.) suggests the best movies of the season, which are on full display on other channels, tonight as on every night of December.
Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney and some “Real Housewives” play “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) brings back the blind taste test.
Even a made-for-TV thriller gets a holiday flair with “Do You Fear What I Fear” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.), about haunted decorations.
A member of an elite social club is assaulted on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
“Dunkman” (TNT, 8 p.m.) is a competition about the perfect basketball dunk, with Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carter and Mac McClung judging.
Eric plans his marriage proposal for Bela on “Ghosts” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
One of the “Strangest Things” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) is a cursed sapphire.
Turner Classic Movies begins a month-long Thursday night series on divine intervention, starting with “Forever, Darling” (8 p.m.), “Here Comes Mr. Jordan” (9:45 p.m.), “The Bishop’s Wife” (11:30 p.m.), “Carousel” (1:30 a.m.), “I Married an Angel” (3:45 a.m.) and “Gabriel Over the White House” (5:15 a.m.).
During the day are sports heroes with “The Bob Mathais Story” (6 a.m.), “Crazylegs” (7:30 a.m.), “The Babe Ruth Story” (9 a.m.), “The Jackie Robinson Story” (11 a.m.), “Knute Rockne All American” (12:30 p.m.), “Jim Thorpe: All American” (2:15 p.m.), “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (4:15 p.m.) and “When We Were Kings” (6:15 p.m.).
Thursday Night Football has Dallas at Detroit (Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.).
Basketball has Golden State at Philadelphia (NBA, 7 p.m.).
Hockey has Detroit at Columbus (Hulu, 7:30 p.m.) and Chicago at Los Angeles (Hulu, 10 p.m.).
Women’s college basketball has Florida at Virginia Tech (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), North Carolina at Texas (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), South Carolina at Louisville (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Villanova at Georgetown (Peacock, 7 p.m.), Clemson at Alabama (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), LSU at Duke (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Notre Dame at Ole Miss (ESPN2, 9 p.m.) and Marquette at DePaul (Peacock, 9 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Michelle Pfeiffer, Monica Mangin, Vern Yip. The View: Stephan A. Smith. Kelly Clarkson: Josh Hutcherson, Marissa Bode, Gesine Bullock-Prado, Alyana-Lee, Jessica Sanchez. Drew Barrymore: Michelle Pfeiffer, Dennis Leary. Jennifer Hudson: Niecy Nash-Betts, Davido. Tamron Hall: Kimora Lee Simmons.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Jen Psaki, Weird Al Yankovic. Jimmy Kimmel: Miley Cyrus, Cameron Crowe, Rufus Wainwright. Jimmy Fallon: Walton Goggins, Natalia Dyer, Fran Lebowitz, Oz Pearlman. Seth Meyers: Joel Edgerton, Elle Fanning, Edgar Wright (rerun). Daily Show: Ken Casey.