1) “American Masters,” 10 p.m., PBS. At 10, Brenda Lee was supporting her widowed mother and siblings. Now, 70 years later, she’s still a potent force, with tiny (4-foot-9) body, huge voice and vibrant personality. This fascinating hour traces someone (shown here) who has sold 100 million records, from “I’m Sorry” to the eternal “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Read more…
1) “An Evening With Dua Lipa,” 8:30-10 p.m., CBS.`In London’s gorgeous, 153-year-old Royal Albert Hall, Lipa (shown here) strolls triumphantly on an S-shaped runway, with orchestra and chorus tucked into each curve. There are a few talk segments (some good, some not) and an Elton John duet; but mostly this is a young star, performing with passion and skill. Read more…
1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Doing things big in its 50th season, “SNL” has former cast members hosting for the next two weeks. Tonight, it’s Chris Rock (shown here), with only his fourth hosting gig in 28 years; Gracie Adams is the music guest. Next week, Martin Short hosts. Read more…
1) “Blue Bloods” series-finale, 10 p.m., CBS. For 14 seasons, Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck) has led the New York City police department and a Reagan family filled with cops (shown here is Donnie Wahlberg, who plays is oldest son) and an assistant district attorney. Now there’s one final crisis, with gangs combining to demand the release of prisoners. Edward James Olmos is a guest star. Read more…
1) “Billboard Music Awards,” 8-10 p.m., Fox. After 17 years elsewhere, the awards return to their original network. Michelle Buteau, a comedian, hosts; performers include Coldplay, Seventeen, Teddy Swims, Tyla (shown here) and more. Up for the Top Artist award are Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter and Drake. Read more…
1) “A Motown Christmas,” 9-11 p.m., NBC. Spanning generations, this is hosted by Smokey Robinson, 84, and Halle Bailey, 24. His contemporaries – Gladys Knight, the Temptations, Martha Reeves — perform; so do younger stars: Jordin Sparks (shown here),Jamie Foxx, Andra Day, Ashante, Jordin Sparks, Pentatonix and the cast of “MJ: The Musical.” Read more…
1) “The Voice” finale, 8-11 p.m., NBC. At 8 p.m., we get a quick recap of Monday’s performances. At 9, the hoopla begins. Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble (shown here in a previous show), Sting, Dan + Shay, Myles Smith, Riley Green and Tears for Fears all perform. So do the show’s two recent winners; then we have a new one. Read more…
1) “The Voice” finals, 8-10 p.m., NBC. The five finalists (shown here, from left) are Sofronio Vasquez, 31; Shye, 17; Danny Joeph, 37; Sydney Sterface, 15; and Jeremy Beloate, 25. Each will sing an uptempo song, a ballad and a duet; then viewers will vote. On Tuesday, the show has its 26th winner. Read more…
1) Chiefs double feature, 6-8 p.m., Hallmark; 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. The Kansas City Chiefs show up in fiction and fact. Hallmark reruns “Holiday Touchdown,” a romance filmed partly at the Chiefs’ stadium, with players in support. Then the team (shown here) – riding high, with an 11-1 record – faces its closest division rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, 8-4. Read more…
1) Football conference championships. You can catch two huge ones today, back-to-back. At 4 p.m. ET on ABC, the SEC has Texas (ranked No. 2) and Georgia (No. 5). At 7, CBS has top-ranked Oregon (shown here) and Penn State (No. 3). Read more…
