MONDAY
Manifest: Not everyone makes it out alive in an effort to rescue the missing passengers. This is the mid-season finale and I am now four episodes behind. I’ll catch up, I suppose. 9 p.m., NBC
The Truth About Killer Robots: They’re coming. Or are they already here? 9 p.m., HBO
The Panama Papers: The largest data hack in history which revealed the ways in which wealthy individuals hid their money around the world in offshore accounts. It sounds dry, but it had huge implications (and maybe had a tangential relationship to the 2016 election). 8 p.m., Epix
The Great Christmas Light Fight: I will never understand how people can get this worked up over Christmas decorations. Halloween, sure, but Christmas? NOTE: In Houston, we will be watching the Texans game on ABC. 7 p.m., ABC
TUESDAY
Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath: Remini is back to harass Miscaviage and the rest of the cultists. Season premiere. 8 p.m., A&E
This is Us: In the mid-season finale, Jack struggles to get through to his brother and the promos make it look like he fails. But who knows. 9 p.m., NBC
Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross and Dave Attell: The kings of roasting roast one another. Netflix
WEDNESDAY
Vikings: Ivar is crowned the new king of Kattegat in the midseason premiere. 8 p.m., History
The 86th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center: The lights on a giant tree are turned on. People stand in the cold to watch this happen for some reason. 7 p.m., NBC
A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy: The fact that John Legend is married to Chrissy Tiegen makes me like him more, true fact. 9 p.m., NBC
THURSDAY
LEGO Jurassic World: I don’t know how, exactly, this counts as a holiday special, but here we are. 7 p.m., NBC
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration: The castle is lit for Christmas with performances by Gwen Stefani, Meghan Trainor, Brett Eldredge, Andrea and Matteo Bocelli, Jordan Fisher, Becky G, Aloe Blacc and Why Don’t We. 8 p.m., ABC
Supernatural: Jack wants Dean to teach him about the fun of being human. First lesson: PIE. 7 p.m., The CW
FRIDAY
F is for Family: Season three. Netflix
Baby: This Italian series about two wealthy teen girls who get drawn into “the underworld” was very controversial in its native country. Series premiere. Netflix
Inside Jokes: A look behind the scenes at the Just for Laughs Festival. Premiere. Amazon
Death by Magic: A magician performs a series of tricks that killed other magicians when they performed them. Series premiere. Netflix
SATURDAY
Saturday Night Live: Claire Foy & Anderson .Paak. If you’re not familiar with Anderson .Paak, enjoy the following video which is almost too funky and catchy for its own good: 10:30 p.m., NBC
Rampage: The Rock stars in this absurdist movie about giant animals. Come for the giant albino gorilla, stay for the destruction of Chicago. 7 p.m., HBO
Sorry to Bother You: But what I really recommend is that you watch this amazing little indie about telemarketing, white voice, modern slavery, and some amazing earrings. I promise you’ve never seen anything quite like it. Hulu
Christmas Movies
- Mingle All the Way: 7 p.m., Hallmark
- A Twist of Christmas: 7 p.m., Lifetime
- Christmas Wonderland: 8 p.m., HMC
- Love for Christmas: 9 p.m., Lifetime
SUNDAY
Nightflyers: George R.R. Martin’s space horror is finally turned into a series. Hopefully this diversion will tide us all over until April. Series premiere. 9 p.m., Syfy
Life Size 2: Tyra Banks is back, but sadly (fortunately?) Lindsey Lohan is not. 8 p.m., Freeform
2018 National Christmas Tree Lighting: Hey, another Christmas tree is lit up. 9 p.m., Ovation, Reelz
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: It’s not the holiday season until there are ladies in panties on broadcast TV. 9 p.m., ABC
Berlin Station: Season premiere. 8 p.m., Epix
Discovery Live: Into the Blue Hole: This two-hour special explores what is at the bottom of Belize’s Blue Hole. 3 p.m., Discovery
Garth: Live at Notre Dame: OK. 7 p.m., CBS
Christmas Movies
- Christmas Catch: 6 p.m., UP
- Merry Wishmas: 6 p.m., ION
- The Christmas Pact: 7 p.m., Lifetime
- A Majestic Christmas: 7 p.m., Hallmark
- Once Upon a Christmas Miracle: 8 p.m., HMC
- A Wedding for Christmas: 8 p.m., ION
- A Star for Christmas: 9 p.m., Lifetime