Mike Hughes on TV

1) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. It was 40 years ago that Martin Short joined the “SNL” cast. Already a star from his “SCTV” time, he helped the show’s short-term rebuild; he was gone after a year, but has returned often (shown here). Now comes only his fifth time as host, two of them with Steve Martin; Hozier is the music guest. Read more…

1) Football, 8 p.m. ET, ABC. The new college playoff system opens with teams from opposite pasts. Notre Dame has won 11 consensus national championships plus 11 disputed ones; overall, it’s won 74 percent of its games. During a 66-year stretch, Indiana(shown here) won only 37 percent and two conference titles. They collide, with three more games Saturday. Read more…

1) “Nate Bergatze’s Nashville Christmas,” 9 p.m., CBS. There’s only a tad of music — one song each by Carrie Underwood (shown here) and Noah Kahan, brief bits by Darius Rucker. Instead, this focuses on comedy. Some of it is quite good, including a stand-up set by Derrick Stroup and a sketch (Bergatze discussing the future) that’s like one he did on “Saturday Night Live.” Read more…

1) “Survivor” finale, 8-10 p.m., CBS. Four people have a shot at being the 47th million-dollar winner. “Teeny” Chirichillo, a free-lance writer, and Sam Phalen, a sports reporter, are 24. Rachel Lamont, 34, a graphic designer. Sue Smey, who owns a flight school, is 59; shee’s shown here (left) last week with Chirichillo (right) and Genevieve Mushaluk, who was ousted. Read more…

1) “Joy: Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir,” 8-9:30 p.m., PBS. This is epic music – 360-voice choir, 150-piece orchestra, bells, trumpets, organ and singer Michael Maliakel (shown here), from Broadway’s “Aladdin.” A story – Lesley Nicol telling of Victor Hugo’s parties for children – is fairly good; the music, especially Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” is sublime. Read more…

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…