Divas of different eras join forces on a new “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) with Ariana Grande returning to host and Cher making her first appearance as musical guest at 79. Possibly more significant: It’s to be the last “SNL” with Bowen Yang as cast member.
Here’s the gift you’ve been awaiting: Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor and Sean Penn in Paul Thomas Anderson’s action-filled “One Battle After Another” (HBO, 8 p.m.), a film that’s been topping best of year lists, making its premium cable debut.
Julie Chen Moonves hosts the 28th “Family Film and TV Awards” (CBS, 8 p.m.). The comedy “Happy Gilmore 2” leads nominations. Jeff Probst and Penn & Teller will receive special awards, and Blake Shelton is to perform.
A couple of rare Saturday NFL games has Philadelphia at Washington (Fox, 5 p.m.) and Green Bay at Chicago (Fox, 8:20 p.m.).
College football playoffs conclude first round play with Miami at Texas A&M (ABC, noon), Tulane at Mississippi (TNT, 3:30 p.m.) and James Madison at Oregon (TNT, 7:30 p.m). The FCS Playoffs have Montana at Montana State (ABC, 4 p.m.) and Illinois State at Villanova (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) in the semifinals.
Bumped last week by actual news, “A CNN Special Event: Roy Wood Jr.’s Very Very Very Merry Holiday Special” (CNN, 8 p.m.) gets a rescheduled premiere. The comedy special was filmed in front of an audience in Washington, D.C. and includes special guests.
Then comes their actual news: “I Do: The Taylor and Travis Era” (CNN, 9 p.m.) about the recent engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
The last Saturday before Christmas of course has a couple of new holiday rom-coms. Hunter King and Evan Roderick play a couple who try to hide their breakup when hosting family for Christmas in “A Make of Break Holiday” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.).
“A Pickleball Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.) involves a man who tries to save the family racquet club by teaming up with a pickleball coach for a high-stakes tournament. James Lafferty and Zibby Allen star.
No discernible holiday theme is offered in the latest Harlequin book adaptation “Ordinary Girl in a Tiara” (CW, 8 p.m.).
There’s a reunion special for the recently completed second season of “Finding Mr. Christmas” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.).
“Toronto Airport Uncovered” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) finds some safety challenges.
Turner Classic Movies has its first full day of its Christmas Marathon with “Tenth Avenue Angel” (6:30 a.m.), “Love Finds Andy Hardy” (8 a.m.), “On Moonlight Bay” (10 a.m.), “Prancer” (noon), “Three Godfathers” (2 p.m.), “The Thin Man” (4 p.m.), “The Apartment” (5:45 p.m.), “Remember the Night” (8 p.m.), “We’re No Angels” (10 p.m.), “Lady in the Lake” (midnight), “Alias Boston Blackie” (2 a.m.), “Cover Up” (3:30 a.m.) and “The Curse of Cat People” (5 a.m.).
Basketball includes Houston at Denver (NBA, 5 p.m.), Charlotte at Detroit (NBA, 7:30 p.m.) and Lakers at Clippers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey includes Vancouver at Boston (NHL, 7 p.m.).
College football has Ferris State vs. Harding (ESPN2, 4 p.m.) in the Division II championship game.
Men’s college basketball includes St. John’s vs. Kentucky (CBS, 12:30 p.m.), Liberty at Dayton (USA, 12:30 p.m.), Colorado State at Utah State (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Ohio State vs. North Carolina (CBS, 3 p.m.), Memphis at Mississippi State (ESPN, 4 p.m.), Houston vs. Arkansas (CZBS, 5:30 p.m.), Maryland at Virginia (ESPN, 6 p.m.), Xavier at Georgetown (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m.), Duke vs. Texas Tech (ESPN, 8 p.m.), Stanford vs. Colorado (ESPNU, 8 p.m.) and San Diego State vs. Arizona (ESPN2, 10:30 p.m.).
Women’s college basketball includes Louisville vs. Tennessee (Fox, 11 a.m.) and Iowa vs. Connecticut (Fox, 1:30 p.m.).
There is first round play in golf’s PNC Championship (NBC, 2:30 p.m.).
“Austin City Limits” (PBS, 11 p.m., check local listings) is a replay of a show last season with Jacob Collier and Nickel Creek.
The primetime rerun of “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 10 p.m.), before the later live show, is a Christmas show from 2019 with Scarlett Johansson and Niall Horan.