1) “The Bachelorette,” 8-10 p.m., ABC. It’s been a strange season: First, the show was delayed because of COVID, which limited its locations. Then the original “bachelorette” decided way too soon, exiting with the guy she chose. Now her replacement (Tayshia Adams, 30, shown here) makes her choice. Last week, she ousted Ben Smith. That leaves three guys: Ivan Hall, 28, an aeronautical engineer; Brendan Morris, 30, who does commercial roofing; and Zac Clark, an addiction specialist. On Tuesday, we’ll see her decision.
2) “Next,” 8 p.m., Fox. Constantly growing in power, the computer named Next is creating crises – mass (power outages ripple through the country) and individual. LeBlanc’s plan: Steal a virus from his old company and slip it into Next. Yes, that’s a long shot; tonight’s way-too-easy escape is one of many things that stretches credibility. Still, this holds our attention and points to Tuesday’s two-hour finale.
3) Football, 2:30 p.m., ET ESPN. Some games are steeped in history and tradition; this year, for instance, the 107th Rose Bowl will have two contenders for the national championship. And some … well, this is the first Myrtle Beach Bowl, which has Appalachian State (with an 8-3 record) and North Texas (4-5). I’s important because it’s the season’s first bowl game, launching a busy streak. There will be two bowls each on Tuesday and Wednesday, one on Thursday and Friday – and six on Saturday.
4) “Bob (Hearts) Abishola,” 8:30 p.m., CBS. Taking a holiday break, the show has reruns today and next week; fortunately, they’re good ones. This is from early last season: Recovering from a stroke, Bob’s mother is back home, cranky and crabby. The family needs help; Abishola agrees to try, while continuing her hospital job. Two tough minds collide, in a funny (and sometimes warm) episode.
5) “A Christmas Story” (1983), 8 and 10 p.m., TNT. This gem will have its annual, 24-hour marathon, Dec. 24-25. If you can’t wait, catch it now; also, there are plenty of other Christmas movies, at 8 p.m. on Lifetime, AMC, BET, Hallmark and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. There’s more for the holiday: CW has “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” at 8 p.m. and “Greatest Holiday Commercials” at 9. At 10 p.m., ABC has this year’s at-home version of “CMA Country Christmas.”