With a more flattering title than her last comedy foray (“Fat Actress”), Kirstie Alley returns to cable also playing an actress of substance, who is shocked to find the child she gave up for adoption standing at her stage door one night in “Kirstie” (TV Land, 10 p.m.).
That the 28 year old schlub who works in a Jersey donut shop doesn’t fit her idea of the high life (more fitting with 20s style portrayals of Broadway stars than today’s) is the premise of this comedy from the guy who previously made “Animal Practice” and “Samantha Who?”
It’s surprising to see Michael Richards as a much older coot who is her driver; another veteran of classic sitcoms, Rhea Pearlman, is her tough-talking assistant. “Kirstie” in many ways follows other TVLAnd comedy formats, in which older stars are put together with younger newcomers with most of the budget spent snatching up underemployed familiar faces. Would that they had spent more money on writing.
Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Jewel, Audra McDonald, Toni Braxton, Goo Goo Dolls, Ariana Grande, the Rockettes and Babyface all perform before the switch is flicked on the 76-foot Norway Spruce donated from Shelton, Conn., in “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (NBC, 8 p.m.). The “Today” show crew presides. Coverage in some cities begins as early as 7.
Having had success with the “SNL Thanksgiving” serving of leftovers last week, here’s “SNL Christmas” (NBC, 9 p.m.), serving a much wider variety of skits set around the season. Last week’s collection seemed to have an awful lot set pieces about innocents visiting families with odd customs. Will there be a similar theme this time? Adam Sandler will be back to sing before Hanukkah is all over.
“Friday Night Lights” creator Peter Berg is still interested in kids in sports. So in a new documentary “State of Play” (HBO, 9 p.m.), he presents issues surrounding them, starting with overbearing parents. The ones followed in the first chapter, “Trophy Kids” are such browbeating bullies, it’s almost hard to watch. But their shocking behavior is supposed to be balanced by a panel discussion that follows. And in follow up footage some parents have learned their lesson, others have not.
It’s easy to go after regular old ghosts — but how about ones with criminal records? Hence, “Killer Contact” (Syfy, 10 p.m.) where the first target is Jack the Ripper.
“American Horror Story: Coven” (FX, 10 p.m.) is shaping up to be a series of catfights, between Laveau and Delphine and Cordelia vs. Fiona.
Elle creative director Joe Zee returns to television, hosting “Revealing: Face Value” (Sundance, 9 p.m.) which means to teach lessons about how badly people want to look good (in part because magazines like his own?).
It’s Restaurant Wars time on “Top Chef” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
The top six on “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.) get to do two songs — one from their favorite diva, the other a stripped down version of a song of their choice.
Phil teaches his kids about optimism on a new “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
A character who becomes Flash is introduced on “Arrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy returns to host the third season starts for “Best Ink” (Oxygen, 10 p.m.), featuring 14 new artists competing on the skin of volunteers, who bring their whole set of issues.
Now that Tyson has given up the hidden immunity idol nobody knew he had, will he lose his alliance on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.)?
In a week that began with four dead on a Metro North derailment, here’s
“Terror on a Train” (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.), marking the 20th anniversary of the Long Island Railroad shooting that left six dead and 25 wounded.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Mark Wahlberg, Nene Leakes. The View: Jewel. The Talk: Matthew Morrison, Big Boy, Tiffany Derry. Ellen DeGeneres: Ben Stiller, Steve Coogan, Brandon Niederauer, Bastille. Wendy Williams: Susan Boyle.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Woody Harrelson, David Ortiz, the Wanted (rerun). Jay Leno: Melissa McCarthy, Andy Cohen, Empire of the Sun (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Benedict Cumberbatch, R. Kelly. Jimmy Fallon: Orlando Bloom, Elvis Costello (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Aisha Tyler, Bruce McCall. Carson Daly: Eric Andre, Chrome Sparks (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Dave Koz, Charlie Haden (rerun). Jon Stewart: Jehane Noujaim. Stephen Colbert: Bryan Stevenson. Arsenio Hall: Alyssa Milano, Charlie Murphy, Ne-Yo. Conan O’Brien: Ben Stiller, Evangeline Lilly, the Wild Feathers. Chelsea Handler: Orlando Bloom, Ben Gleib, Sarah Tiana, Matt Braunger. Pete Holmes: Iliza Shlesinger.