Part of the appeal of “Squid Game,” the most popular foreign series Netflix ever had, were the metaphors of the over-the-top games, where losers in the red light-green light games weren’t just eliminated, they were killed. To stage similar games in the new “Squid Game: The Challenge” (Netflix, streaming), the real life contestants don’t actually get killed (they’re shot with paint balls, and fall as if they were dead) and we hear backstories of characters who are really desperate to win the million dollar prize money. Many of them think it’s cool to be on the actual sets of the show — or very close facsimiles, including the giant sized doll. Based on the first few episodes, it’s nearly as addictive as the original show.
They don’t make as many Christmas variety specials as they do, say, holiday romances, but here’s a new one: “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas” (Apple TV+, streaming), featuring the glamorous star of “Ted Lasso” at the London Coliseum singing, and welcoming guests Phil Dunster, Luke Evans, Leslie Odom Jr., Sam Ryder and The Fabulous Lounge Swingers.
“Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” (NBC, 8 p.m.) takes a look at the night before’s preparations, which includes blowing up a lot of balloons. It’s followed by two hours of Turkey Day skits from over the years with “A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving Special” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
From Richard Curtis, who wrote and directed the highly regarded Christmas film “Love, Actually,” comes the new “Genie” (Peacock, streaming) with Melissa McCarthy in the title role, trying to help a family get back together. The cast also includes Alan Cumming.
“The Naughty Nine” (Disney, 8 p.m.) is a new movie about a fifth-grader who finds himself on Santa’s Naughty List and goes to the North Pole to change things.
Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell return for “Good Burger 2” (Paramount+, streaming), a sequel to the 1997 original comedy. This time around, Lil Rel Howery and Jillian Bell join the cast.
“High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America” (Netflix, streaming), returns for a second season.
A family tries to find their ancestors who may have been enslaved on “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Secrets of the Dead” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) examines a pair of murders in the Tower of London from the 1500s.
A three part challenge is the road to immunity tonight on “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“The Amazing Race” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.) continues its competition in Slovenia.
Maggie tries to make sense of her personal life on “Sullivan’s Crossing” (CW, 8 p.m.).
“The Spencer Sisters” (CW, 9 p.m.) are hired to find a stolen violin.
Danni avoids having a difficult talk with Preston on “Tyler Perry’s Sistas” (BET, 9 p.m.).
“Expedition Unknown” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) looks at Pearl Harbor’s Navy counterattack.
An ancient vent shaft is found on “Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch” (Discovery, 10:08 p.m.).
“MTV Cribs” (MTV, 9:30 p.m.) visits Adrian Grenier, among others.
Scotland’s library is studied on “Engineering Catastrophes” (Science, 9 p.m.).
Luke gets in touch with his estranged mother on “SurrealEstate” (Syfy, 10 p.m.).
Jonathan Scott, one half of the Property Brothers, sits in as guest programmer tonight on Turner Classic Movies, with “Russian Roulette” (8 p.m.), “The Parallax View” (10 p.m.) and “Being There” (midnight), which is followed by two more Peter Sellers films, “The Party” (2:30 a.m.) and “I Love You, Alice B. Toklas!” (4:15 a.m.).
During the day are films with all-star casts, with “The Women” (6:30 a.m.), “Ocean’s Eleven” (8:45 a.m.), “The Great Escape” (11 a.m.), “Around the World in 80 Days” (2 p.m.) and “The Great Race” (5:15 p.m.).
NBA action includes Milwaukee at Boston (ESPN, 7:43 p.m.) and Golden State at Phoenix (ESPN, 10:05 p.m.).
Hockey has Boston at Florida (TNT, 7 p.m.) and Vegas at Dallas (TNT, 9:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Northern Iowa vs. North Carolina (noon), Boston College vs. Colorado State (CBS Sports, 1:30 p.m.), Tennessee vs. Kansas (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.), Creighton vs. Loyola Chicago (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.), Purdue vs. Marquette (ESPN, 5 p.m.), Memphis vs. Michigan (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), Memphis vs. Michigan (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), Western Virginia vs. Virginia (Fox Sports 1, 6 p.m.), Baylor vs. Oregon State (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Stanford vs. Arkansas (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.), SMU vs. Wisconsin (Fox Sports 1, 8:30 p.m.), Syracuse vs. Chaminade (ESPNU, 9:30 p.m.), Bradley vs. UTEP (CBS Sports, 10:30 p.m.) and Gonzaga vs. UCLA (ESPN2, midnight).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Kate McKinnon, Hayley Atwell, Lauren Daigle (rerun). The View: Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner, John Grisham (rerun). Drew Barrymore: Andrew Rannells, Sara Jane Ho, Danny Seo, Mikel Welch. Jennifer Hudson: Carrie Ann Inaba. Tamron Hall: Eric Kim, Ruben Santana, Lish Steiling (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Peter Dinkladge, Tig Notaro. Jimmy Kimmel: Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Juno Temple, d4vd (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Cher, Mike Birbiglia, Offset. Seth Meyers: Paul Giamatti, Andrew Moskos, Pep Rosenfeld.