1) “Madame Secretary” series finale, 10:30 p.m., CBS, but 10 p.m. in western time zones. For the second time in a splendid career, Cicely Tyson represents a huge chunk of history. In 1974, she won awards for playing Jane Pittman, whose 110 years went from slavery to civil rights. Now Tyson, 94, plays someone born in 1920, when women got the vote. She’s there as Elizabeth (the first woman president) launches a major initiative. Tyne Daly — whose brother Tim plays Elizabeth’s husband — plays an opposing senator; Peter Frampton (shown here) performs.
2) “Supergirl,” 8 p.m., CW. What’s bigger than a female president? A female superhero, helping save Earth. Tonight, The Monitor sends Harbinger to assemble the greatest heroes, female (Supergirl, Batwoman, White Canary) and male (Superman, The Flash, Green Arrow). The story continues at 8 p.m. Monday (“Batwoman”) and Tuesday (“The Flash”), with follow-up talk shows at 9 p.m. today and Tuesday. Then it takes a break, before a Jan. 14 finale on “Arrow” and “Legends of Tomorrow.”
3) “Work in Progress” debut, 11 p.m., Showtime. Quiet and unassuming, this half-hour series feels like a terrific indie movie. Abby McEnany, a Chicago writer/comedian, plays a fictional version of herself. At 45,she’s a lesbian and alone, feeling unattractive to either sex. She tells her therapist she’ll commit suicide in 180 days. Then … well then something happens that some viewers will consider hilarious. It’s referred to often here, as her life finds fresh surprises. The result is quietly, enjoyably engaging.
4) “Christmas in Dollywood,” 8-10 p.m., Hallmark. A mini-trend has TV movies using music people. That includes Kristen Chenoweth (Dec. 7), Ashanti (coming Dec. 14) and Kellie Pickler (twice) and Elvis’ Graceland. Now Dolly Parton’s park gets a turn, with Parton in support. That’s on the same night that Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has “Time For Me to Come Home for Christmas” (produced by Blake Shelton and based on his song and his mother’s book) at 7 p.m., with its sort-of sequel at 9.
5) “CNN Heroes,” 8-10 p.m. ET, CNN. Ten people will be honored and one will be hero of the year. They include people from India and Ethiopia, plus Americans with far-flung projects – shelters that let women keep their pets … refurbished RV’s for wildfire victims … videogames for hospitalized kids … an arts center in a hard-hit area and more. Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa host, Andy Grammer sings (backed by a school chorus) and presenters include Jon Bon Jovi, Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates.