1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Eddie Murphy was just a talented teen when he helped save “SNL”; now he’s hosting it … for the first time in 35 years. Back in 1980, the show was reeling. The original stars and producer were gone … the new ones were inept … but Murphy (shown here in an old Christmas sketch) was 19 and brilliant. He left in ‘84 (hosting later that year) and became a movie star. Now he’s back, with music from Lizzo.
2) “Dreamgirls” (2006), 8 p.m., BET. Every now and then, Murphy launches a comeback, reminding us how good he can be. You can see two examples today, before his “SNL” return. “Dolemite is My Name” (any time on Netflix) brought him a Golden Globe nomination; “Dreamgirls” brought his only Globe win and only Oscar nomination. A vibrant musical about a group like the Supremes, this has Murphy as an adulterous star, slipping into despair and drugs. It ends just in time to switch to “SNL.”
3) Bowl games, all day. The bowl burst started Friday with two games, now the real rush begins, with seven more. There are even a couple of nationally ranked teams: At 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, Boise State (ranked No. 19) faces Washington; at 8 on ESPN, Appalachian State (No. 20) faces the University of Alabama, Birmingham. ABC also has the Celebration Bowl at noon and Boca Rotan Bowl at 3:30. ESPN has games at 2 and 5:30; the CBS Sports Network has one at 2:30.
4) “Bob (hearts) Abishola,” 9:30 p.m., CBS. Here’s the season’s happiest surprise, a low-key comedy that’s quietly addictive. Now you can sample it from the start; this is the pilot film, with more reruns coming Dec. 25 and 30. Tonight, a Detroit sock manufacturer (Billy Gardell) falls for his nurse (Folake Olowofoyeku). Two understated cultures (Midwestern) and (Nigerian) collide in slyly funny ways.
5) Christmas films, cable. Two terrific comedies are on AMC, with “Saturday Night Live” alumni. Will Ferrell’s “Elf” (2003) is at 6 p.m., Chevy Chase’s “Christmas Vacation” (1989) is at 8. You’ll also find the fairly good “Office Christmas Party” (2016) at 8 and 10:30 p.m. on FX, plus new film. They’re at 6 and 8 p.m. on Lifetime, 7 p.m. on Ion, 8 on Hallmark and 9 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.