Real World: DC
Real World
10/9c MTV
Eight sexy strangers arrive in the nation's capital and promptly check out their posh new pad — and one another — as the seminal reality series launches its 23rd season. The D.C. cast includes Ty, a former foster child from Baltimore; outspoken Ashley, who was an Obama delegate; Mike, a bisexual environmentalist from Colorado; and Emily, a Midwesterner who's skeptical of religion after breaking from the fundamentalist Christian cult in which she was raised.
Read on for previews of Happy New Year, Charlie Brown, P.O.V., Nightline and Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura.
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Kennedy Center Honors
Kennedy Center Honors
9/8c CBS
The 32nd annual gala, hosted by Caroline Kennedy, salutes Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen. The five diverse honorees are feted by a stellar lineup of performers and presenters, including Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese, Sting, Matthew Broderick, Aretha Franklin, John Mellencamp, Carl Reiner, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Melissa Etheridge, Herbie Hancock and Martin Short. The evening promises to be heavy on music, with four of the five honorees involved in either musical theater, opera, jazz or rock.
Read on for previews of Nova, 20/20, Tabatha's Salon Takeover and One Big Happy Family.
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Men of a Certain Age
Men of a Certain Age
10/9c TNT
The insightful series continues to mine dramedy gold from male bonding, time-honored friendships and midlife crises. But it's not all golden for Joe. His ex-wife (Penelope Ann Miller) joins the Thoreaus for a school charity event — and she arrives with a new boyfriend in tow. Also at the function is perennial bachelor Terry, who serves as an auctioneer and happens upon a past ladylove. But back to Joe's woes: His less-than-glittery social agenda involves hanging out with his bookie, Manfo.
Read on for previews of True Blood, Dog Whisperer, Monday Night Football and 100 Most Shocking Music Moments.
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Sunday Night Football
Sunday Night Football
8:15/7:15c NBC
The Redskins may be out of the NFC East battle royale and the playoff picture, but that doesn't mean they can't have an effect on both. True, they rolled over against the Giants last Monday, but five weeks ago Washington gave the Cowboys all they could handle in a 7-6 loss (in which Tony Romo tossed the winning TD with 2:41 left in the game). For Dallas, this game at Washington is sandwiched between last Saturday's crucial upset of the Saints and next weekend's highly anticipated finale with the Eagles.
Read on for previews of The Sound of Music, Nick News with Linda Ellerbee, Everest: Beyond the Limit and Biography on CNBC.
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Doctor Who
Doctor Who
9/8c BBC America
The hook made famous by the cheesy, '80s hair-metal band Europe seems appropriate here: "It's the final countdown!" For David Tennant, that is. John Simm resurfaces as the Doctor's archnemesis, the Master, who, like the Grinch, picks Christmas Eve to unleash his brand of mayhem in Part 1 of this two-part drama. (Part 2 airs next Saturday.) Catherine Tate reprises her role as Donna Noble.
Read on for previews of Suze Orman Show, Revolutionary Road, U.S. Olympic Trials and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
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Disney Christmas Day Parade
Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade
10/9c ABC
Disney spreads some holiday cheer in a bicoastal celebration. Kelly Ripa hosts from the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida, while Ryan Seacrest emcees from Disneyland in California, with Nick Cannon lending a hand as a man-on-the street West Coast reporter. Slated performers include Kris Allen, Celine Dion, the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Anika Noni Rose, Stevie Wonder and the Yanni Voices. Others set to make an appearance are Selena Gomez, Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke.
Read on for previews of Make My Day, NBA Basketball, Improv-Ice and The Hound of the Baskervilles.
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A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story Marathon
8/7c TBS
Butter up plenty of popcorn, gather the family and settle in for lots of holiday yuks as this 1983 classic airs in 12 consecutive screenings. Directed by Bob Clark (this is great enough to forgive him for Porky's), and written and wonderfully narrated by humorist Jean Shepherd, the film tracks the misadventures of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a beamish lad in the 1940s who wants nothing else for Christmas but a Red Ryder BB gun.
Read on for previews of SportsCenter Special: Decade in Review, Catherine Tate Christmas Special 2, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, Raising the Bar and Modern Family.
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A Home for the Holidays with Faith Hill
A Home for the Holidays with Faith Hill
8/7c CBS
Adoption is a subject that is close to Faith Hill's heart. She was adopted as an infant and returns to host this 11th annual event to raise awareness of adoption. She is joined by fellow adoptee Michael Franti, who performs "Have a Little Faith." Also showing their support are native Oklahoma superstars Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire. Other performers include Mary J. Blige and Shakira. In addition to the musical performances, the hour highlights stories about children who have been adopted and those who are still waiting to join a loving family.
Read on for previews of Dog the Bounty Hunter, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., Biography and Christmas at Belmont 2009.
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Scrubs
Scrubs
9/8c ABC
J.D. has gone through many changes throughout the last nine seasons as he moved from timid intern to experienced doctor to mentor for the next generation of docs. But some things never change. He finds he still hungers for approval, and this time he wants it from Turk. Lucy, meanwhile, faces her own demons when she tries to summon the courage to perform a medical procedure on a real, live person.
Read on for previews of Scrubs, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, National Geographic's Most Incredible Photos: Afghan Warrior, Dirty Jobs and Family Style.
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The Closer
The Closer
9/8c TNT
The crime drama closes a three-show winter arc — and, by extension, its fifth season — with an episode that vaunts the return of head-butting Capt. Raydor (Mary McDonnell). Raydor reaches out to Major Crimes and top cop Brenda Leigh Johnson to help on a nerve-jangling internal investigation. It's a delicate matter swirling around the alleged spousal abuse of a female officer — but there is more to the case than meets the eye. Juxtaposing all this prime crime, as always, are domestic developments, as Fritz grows weary of Brenda's neglect.
Read on for previews of The Sing-off, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, Monday Night Football and the World Chocolate Championship.
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