TV Best Bets

Thursday, Nov. 17: Thursday Night Football Heads to NBC

2016 NFL TV Schedule Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

All Times Eastern.

Thursday, Nov. 17

NFL Football: New Orleans at Carolina
NBC & NFL Network, 8:20pm Live
Thursday Night Football makes its NBC debut tonight with an NFC South matchup featuring Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints heading to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., to take on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

Lovesick
Netflix
Season Premiere!
Formerly known by the more awesome title Scrotal Recall, this series embarks on its second season of eight episodes, following a man who must get in touch with every girl he’s ever had sex with to let them know that he has an STD.

Unichef
TLC, 7pm/Discovery Family Channel, 9pm
Celebrity chef Sandra Lee recently had a life-changing experience while on a UNICEF mission to Haiti when she helped care for premature twin infants. The visit reconfirmed Lee’s commitment to UNICEF and the importance of creating nutritional well-being around the world. Lee’s trip is featured in this one-hour special that spotlights the different ways three successful chefs give back — and how their early lives have influenced their philanthropy. Along with Lee, who is one of the founding board members of the Los Angeles chapter of UNICEF, restaurateur and Iron Chef America judge Donatella Arpaia and cooking show host Ming Tsai are also profiled. Featured charities are Family Reach, City Harvest and God’s Love We Deliver.

Grey’s Anatomy: “You Haven’t Done Nothin’”
ABC, 8pm
Believing he is going to jail, Alex (Justin Chambers) makes a major decision about his future. While the hospital is overrun with victims of a building collapse, Richard (James Pickens Jr.) demands answers from Bailey (Chandra Wilson) about Eliza’s (Marika Dominczyk) presence at Grey Sloan.

NBA Basketball
TNT, beginning at 8pm Live
T.J. McConnell and the Philadelphia 76ers head to Minneapolis for a game against Ricky Rubio and the Minnesota Timberwolves, followed by Dwyane Wade and the Chicago Bulls in Salt Lake City to take on George Hill and the Utah Jazz.

Mom: “Curious George and the Big Red Nightmare”
CBS, 9pm
In the new episode “Curious George and the Big Red Nightmare,” Bonnie (Allison Janney) and Christy (Anna Faris) worry that Roscoe (Blake Garrett Rosenthal) has a drug problem when he’s caught smoking pot.

Life in Pieces: “Cheap Promotion Flying Birthday”
CBS, 9:30pm
In the new episode “Cheap Promotion Flying Birthday,” Colleen (Angelique Cabral) teaches Matt (Thomas Sadoski) her frugal ways, and he gets hooked when he realizes how much saving money turns her on.

How to Get Away With Murder: “Who’s Dead”
ABC, 10pm
Annalise (Viola Davis) gets a tip about A.D.A. Atwood (Milauna Jackson) that leads to a heated confrontation with Nate (Billy Brown). Meanwhile, the deadly events leading up to Annalise’s house fire reveal who’s under the sheet.

Pure Genius: “Not Your Grandmother’s Robotic Surgery”
CBS, 10pm
When James’ (Augustus Prew) beloved elementary school teacher is diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, he tries to employ a risky robotic surgery to save her in the new episode “Not Your Grandmother’s Robotic Surgery.”

Soundbreaking: “Going Electric”
PBS, 10pm
From the electric guitar to synthesized music, learn how innovators used electricity to unleash new sounds. Evaluate the power of technology to continuously redefine music, from Delta blues style to the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder and Devo.

Falling Water: “The Swirl”
USA Network, 10pm
Certain that Charlotte (Trudie Styler) is complicit in the taking of her son, Tess (Lizzie Brocheré) trespasses in her mother’s dreams. Meanwhile, Ann-Marie Bowen (Melanie Nicholls-King) tries to recruit Taka (Will Yun Lee), and Burton (David Ajala) learns new secrets.

Friday, Nov. 18

Beat Bugs
Netflix
Season Premiere!
The animated series returns for Season 2, again inspired by the songs of the Beatles as its characters discover life’s most important lessons.

Divines
Netflix
One of the most critically acclaimed and talked-about films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (it was awarded the Caméra d’Or prize) comes to Netflix exclusively. Set in a ghetto near Paris, where drugs and religion reign supreme, the funny, suspenseful and often emotional drama tells the story of Dounia, a tough but naive teenager who sees getting rich or dying trying as her most viable option in life. Dounia is hungry for her share of power and success. Enlisting the help of her best friend, she decides to follow in the footsteps of a respected and successful neighborhood dealer. But when Dounia meets a strong-willed and sensual dancer, her life takes a surprising turn.

Colin Quinn: The New York Story
Netflix
Colin Quinn delivers a taping of his sold-out off-Broadway show for his latest standup special. In front of a crowd of fellow locals, Quinn presents the history of New York and the different groups who shape the personality of the city. Quinn’s show was filmed at the Schimmel Center in New York City and directed by Jerry Seinfeld.

“Gilmore Girls” Binge-a-Thon
UP TV, 6pm
Before you check out Netflix’s new Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life on Nov. 25, you can get up to speed by watching all seven seasons of the original Gilmore Girls series during this 153-hour marathon during which the episodes will air 24 hours a day.

MacGyver: “Chisel”
CBS, 8pm
MacGyver (Lucas Till) and the team must defend themselves and the U.S. embassy workers in Latvia from extremists in the new episode “Chisel.”

NBA Basketball
ESPN, beginning at 8pm Live
ESPN’s Friday night NBA doubleheader has Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors heading to TD Garden to take on Amir Johnson and the Boston Celtics, followed by Chris Paul and the L.A. Clippers heading north to face Darren Collison and the Sacramento Kings.

Hawaii Five-0: “’Elua lā ma Nowemapa (Two Days in November)”
CBS, 9pm
The new episode “’Elua lā ma Nowemapa (Two Days in November)” revisits one of history’s pivotal moments, as Five-0 investigates a conspiracy theorist with compelling evidence that President John F. Kennedy’s cabinet ordered his assassination.

Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs
PBS, 9pm
Get out your tissues and experience what The New York Times called an “emotional firestorm” as the award-winning television and Broadway star brings down the house with his acclaimed cabaret show.

Z Nation: “They Grow Up So Quickly”
Syfy, 9pm
Doc (Russell Hodgkinson) and Addy (Anastasia Baranova) try to convince Lucy’s family to follow them; Murphy (Keith Allan) tests 10K’s (Nat Zang) allegiance.

Blue Bloods: “Confessions”
CBS, 10pm
Frank (Tom Selleck) is left with minimal information to find a missing boy when a conflicted priest won’t break the seal of confession in the new episode “Confessions.”

Soundbreaking: “Four on the Floor”
PBS, 10pm
Chart the progression of the beat from drum and bass to beatbox and beyond — from Little Richard and James Brown to the Bee Gees and Beyoncé, covering musical styles from disco to EDM. Witness the endless experimentation that transformed the bedrock of all music.

Saturday, Nov. 19

College Football: Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
NBC, 3:30pm Live
The Virginia Tech Hokies head to Notre Dame Stadium for a Saturday afternoon clash with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on NBC.

Futurama: “The Beast With a Billion Backs”
Comedy Central, beginning at 3:35pm
Comedy Central airs all four parts of the Futurama epic “The Beast With a Billion Backs,” in which Fry (voice of Billy West) and the Planet Express crew discover a giant hole in the universe and an unusually seductive, one-eyed alien on the other side.

21 Jump Street
FXX, 5:30pm
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star in this irreverent revival of the 1980s cop show as two mismatched partners who are sent on an undercover assignment to a local high school to root out a synthetic drug ring. FXX airs the 2012 movie, followed by its 2014 sequel 22 Jump Street.

My Christmas Dream
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Christina Masters (Danica McKellar), the manager of McDougal’s flagship department store, is determined to land the manager position for their new Paris location. She sets out to impress the store’s owner (Deidre Hall) by creating an eye-popping holiday display. But Christina is out of inspiration, and turns to a recently fired store employee (David Haydn-Jones) for help. As the twosome work side-by-side, they find themselves falling in love.

Autopsy: The Last Hours Of…
Reelz, 8pm
Season Premiere!
New hourlong episodes show the final days and events of Steve Jobs, Chris Farley, Casey Kasem, Cory Monteith, Richard Pryor, Corey Haim, Janis Joplin, Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, Judy Garland and Bob Marley.

Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks
BBC America, 8:25pm
New Series!
BBC Worldwide and BBC America teamed up to restore one of the great lost classics of the Doctor Who series, The Power of the Daleks, which will air as a six-part series 50 years after its only U.K. broadcast on BBC One. The program’s only known film negative was destroyed in 1974, and this brand-new animation is based on original audio recordings, surviving photographs and film clips. Producer and director Charles Norton says, “The Power of the Daleks animation is the most ambitious Doctor Who archive restoration ever attempted, and we’re all very honored to be a part of such an exciting project. Intelligent, suspenseful and magnificently staged, The Power of the Daleks is one of the great lost classics of 1960s television and a superb example of the black and white era at its finest.” The series features the “renewal” of the first Doctor, William Hartnell, into the second Doctor, Patrick Troughton, as the Time Lord and his companions Polly (Anneke Wills) and Ben (Michael Craze) do battle with the Daleks on the planet Vulcan.

Versailles: “Etiquette”/“Bring the Garden Here”
Ovation, 10pm
Season Finale!
In the first episode of the two-hour Season 1 finale, Henriette takes the lead in negotiations with her brother King Charles II, while Montespan gains power in the court as she wins over Louis’ heart and Fabien plans his revenge. Then, in the second episode, as Henriette’s health rapidly declines, Claudine works feverishly to save her patient. When the palace is put on lockdown, Louis is determined to save his son from the oppressive atmosphere of the court.

Sunday, Nov. 20

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Ford EcoBoost 400
NBC, 3pm Live
It all comes down to this. Four drivers remain in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and the best finisher among them today at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway wins the 2016 Sprint Cup championship.

Elena and the Secret of Avalor
Disney Channel, 7pm
Original Film!
This special animated TV movie tells the backstory of how Elena was imprisoned in her magical amulet by the evil sorceress Shuriki, voiced by legendary actress Jane Fonda, and eventually set free by Princess Sofia of Enchancia.

The 2016 American Music Awards
ABC, 8pm Live
First-time AMA performer Bruno Mars opens the show, which will also include live ditties from Lady Gaga and Sting. And count on multiple acceptance speeches by Drake, who is nominated for a record 13 trophies.

The Librarians: “And the Rise of Chaos”
TNT, 8pm
Season Premiere!

When the Egyptian God of Chaos inhabits a human body, he attempts to release Pure Evil into the world, thus beginning the final battle of Good vs. Evil. In order to stop him, the Librarians must decipher a series of clues within a science museum, including a mysterious warning spoken by exhibit mannequins that have come to life.

NCIS: Los Angeles: “Glasnost”
CBS, 8:30pm
In the new episode “Glasnost,” Callen’s (Chris O’Donnell) father, Garrison (returning guest star Daniel J. Travanti), is found in an NCIS patient’s hospital room during a radiation poisoning case, and Callen must take him to the boatshed for interrogation.

Family Guy: “High School English”
FOX, 9pm
In an anthology episode, the cast reenacts three classic pieces of literature commonly taught in high-school: The Great Gatsby, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Of Mice and Men.

Madam Secretary: “Tectonic Shift”
CBS, 9:30pm
In the new episode “Tectonic Shift,” Venezuela’s president and his immediate successors are killed in an earthquake, and Elizabeth (Téa Leoni) works to stop a power grab by the late president’s son. Guest star Eric Stoltz returns as Elizabeth’s brother, Will.

The Traffickers: “Organs for Sale”
Fusion, 10pm
Nelufar Hedayat investigates the illicit trade in trafficked human organs. She discovers how poverty links sellers from Bangladesh to wealthy patients in Canada, all in a desperate embrace that defies easy moral judgments.

The Affair
Showtime, 10pm
Season Premiere!
For Season 3, “We are adding a point of view,” reveals series co-creator and executive producer Sarah Treem, as the series welcomes French actress Irène Jacob to the cast. The raw series about the good, the bad and the ugly of a contemporary marriage will also include appearances by Brendan Fraser and Jennifer Esposito, so we can’t wait to see what geometric shapes come up next. We’ve already seen the perspective of the series expanded from two sides of an affair (Season 1) to a love square (Season 2), and now we get to witness a new configuration — perhaps a love pentagon?

Elementary: “Bang Bang Shoot Chute”
CBS, 10:30pm
In the new episode “Bang Bang Shoot Chute,” Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) and Watson (Lucy Liu) search for two killers after a BASE jumper is shot out of the sky by one killer and has his parachute sabotaged by another.

Monday, Nov. 21

The Simpsons
FXX, beginning at 6pm
FXX’s 12-episode stunt of The Simpsons includes classics like “Homer’s Night Out” from Season 1, “Dead Putting Society” from Season 2, “Flaming Moe’s” from Season 3, “Kamp Krusty” from Season 4 and “Bart Sells His Soul” from Season 7.

Marathon: The Patriots’ Day Bombing
HBO, 8pm
This searing documentary, produced in association with The Boston Globe, recounts the April 2013 Boston Marathon terrorist attack through the experiences of those whose lives were impacted. Marathon features surveillance footage, news clips, home movies and exclusive interviews with survivors and their families, as well as first responders, investigators, government officials and the Boston Globe reporters who earned the paper a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the bombing and its aftermath.

The Voice: “Live Top 11 Performances”
NBC, 8pm Live
The top 11 artists perform live in front of coaches Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton for America’s vote.

NFL Football: Houston vs. Oakland (Mexico City)
ESPN, 8:15pm Live
In the first Monday Night Football game played outside the U.S. and the first NFL game played in Mexico since 2005, the Houston Texans take on the Oakland Raiders at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Man With a Plan: “Thanksgiving”
CBS, 8:30pm
In the new “Thanksgiving” episode, Andi (Liza Snyder) has a hard time not taking over when Adam (Matt LeBlanc) tackles organizing the school’s big Thanksgiving feast.

2 Broke Girls: “And the Duck Stamp”
CBS, 9pm
In the new episode “And the Duck Stamp,” Max (Kat Dennings) and Caroline (Beth Behrs) hire a popular bartender for the dessert bar (guest star Michael Charles Roman), but they run into a problem when Han (Matthew Moy) becomes addicted to the signature cacao drink. Also, Han enters a duck stamp drawing contest.

The Odd Couple: “Eisen Trouble”
CBS, 9:30pm
Guest Star Alert!
Oscar (Matthew Perry) tries to outsmart his nemesis, returning guest star Rich Eisen, after he is forced to present him with a humanitarian award in the new episode “Eisen Trouble.”

Conviction: “A Simple Man”
ABC, 10pm
Hayes (Hayley Atwell) and the CIU take on the case of Leo Scarlata (Jason Furlani), a man with diminished mental capacities who is imprisoned for a fatal fire at his family’s restaurant. But when a documentary crew approved by Wallace (Eddie Cahill) begins following the team, Hayes realizes she may have taken on more than she bargained for when the team members divulge intimate details about themselves and others while in the spotlight.

Scorpion: “Mother Load”
CBS, 10pm
Guest Star Alert!
Lea Thompson guest-stars as Paige’s (Katharine McPhee) estranged mother, Veronica, in the new episode “Mother Load.” Veronica calls on Team Scorpion when she accidentally uncovers a forgotten nuclear reactor on the verge of exploding.

Timeless: “Stranded”
NBC, 10pm
The team chases Flynn (Goran Visnjic) to 1754, but after he reveals his true intentions, they’re forced to scramble through hostile territory. Now, if they want to survive, they’ll need to learn to trust each other. Meanwhile, Agent Christopher (Sakina Jaffrey) quietly investigates Connor Mason (Paterson Joseph), and Jiya (Claudia Doumit) has a hunch that Rufus (Malcolm Barrett) might be resourceful enough to open a line of communication with the present.

Soundbreaking: “The World Is Yours”
PBS, 10pm
Meet the pioneers of hip-hop and explore how sampling — the practice of borrowing fragments from existing records — created a new genre of music that took over the world via artists including Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C., the Beastie Boys, Beck and more.

Search Party
TBS, 11pm
New Series!
This self-described “mystery-comedy” that debuted earlier this year at SXSW follows a group of self-absorbed 20-somethings who become entangled in the strange disappearance of a former college acquaintance. Star Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) tells us that the show comments on how millennials “feel detached, and then when we decide to be active about something, it really is a different sensation. … [It’s about] the payback you can get from being involved in something instead of just commenting on it from a distance.” John Early, John Reynolds, Meredith Hagner and Brandon Micheal Hall also star. All 10 episodes of the first season will air this week, with two episodes airing back-to-back each night through Friday.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

The Hangover Part II
FX, 6pm
They couldn’t quite capture the same magic of the original The Hangover, but Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis return as the Wolfpack in the sequels The Hangover Part II and The Hangover Part III airing tonight on FX.

The Middle: “Thanksgiving VIII”
ABC, 8pm
Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton) has never been a whiz at Thanksgiving. This year, eldest son Axl (Charlie McDermott) and his flighty girlfriend, April (Greer Grammer), decide to split the day between their families. Then, Frankie’s “perfect” next-door neighbors, the Donahues, have an oven malfunction — and ask to use the Hecks’. The result: dinner … at 8am. At least daughter Sue (Eden Sher) escapes the craziness to work at their food court’s hot potato counter, Spudsy Malone’s. That is, until she finds she has a new coworker — brother Brick (Atticus Shaffer)!

NCIS: “Enemy Combatant”
CBS, 8pm
In the new episode “Enemy Combatant,” Bishop (Emily Wickersham) is sent to Guantanamo Bay to gather evidence for a Navy chaplain murder case, making her question her previous work at the NSA.

The Flash: “Killer Frost”
The CW, 8pm
Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) directs the episode as Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) uses her powers to save Barry (Grant Gustin) — but as predicted, her effort unleashes her inner Killer Frost.

Team Ninja Warrior: College Madness
Esquire Network, 8pm
New Series!
This five-part special event pits 16 teams, pulled from some of the deepest college rivalries, against each other as they run the Ninja Warrior dual course, which includes even more challenging obstacles. Among the schools going head-to-head this season are UCLA vs. USC, Florida vs. Georgia, Michigan vs. The Ohio State University, Wisconsin vs. Maryland and more.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: “Mr. Santiago”
FOX, 8pm
Guest Star Alert!
Jimmy Smits guest stars as Amy’s dad and a former cop, and during Amy’s intricately planned Thanksgiving dinner, Jake goes “full Santiago” (binder and all) in order to impress him.

The Voice: “Live Top 11 Eliminations”
NBC, 8pm Live
Following last night’s performances, nine artists will be revealed as safe thanks to America’s votes. The bottom two artists will then compete for the Instant Save, and one will be eliminated.

Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise: “Keep Your Head Up/Touch the Sky”
PBS, 8pm
Henry Louis Gates Jr. questions why a swath of African-Americans have been left behind as the country’s class divide has deepened over the last 50 years, even as a wave of new opportunities and new consciousness lifted African-Americans to undreamed-of heights — in Ivy League schools, major corporations, the Supreme Court and even the White House. Features conversations with Eric Holder, Shonda Rhimes and DeRay Mckesson.

American Housewife: “The Blow-Up”
ABC, 8:30pm
Guest Star Alert!
Katie (Katy Mixon) gets a boost from a surprising source when her self-serving mom Kathryn (guest star Wendie Malick, Hot in Cleveland) shows up for Thanksgiving.

New Girl: “The Last Thanksgiving”
FOX, 8:30pm
It’s a Thanksgiving that no one will forget when Robby shows up out of the blue, and Schmidt’s dad (guest star Peter Gallagher) arrives heartbroken.

Bull: “Never Saw the Sign”
CBS, 9pm
Bull (Michael Weatherly) assists a man facing vehicular manslaughter charges in the new episode “Never Saw the Sign.” During the trial, Bull uncovers a connection between his client and a corrupt state assemblyman.

This Is Us: “Pilgrim Rick”
NBC, 9pm
As Jack (Milo Ventimiglia), Rebecca (Mandy Moore) and the three kids make their way to Rebecca’s parents’ house for their traditional Thanksgiving holiday, an unforeseen detour occurs. Kate (Chrissy Metz) makes two drastic life-changing decisions, Kevin (Justin Hartley) brings Olivia (Janet Montgomery) to Randall’s (Sterling K. Brown) house for Thanksgiving, and Randall’s heart is broken when he learns about a lifelong secret his mother has kept from him.

Good Behavior: “From Terrible Me”
TNT, 9pm

Letty (Michelle Dockery) and Javier (Juan Diego Botto) are in a race against time to tie up all the loose ends of the violent crime Javier committed, each blaming the other for the trouble they’re in. Letty’s parole officer, Christian (Terry Kinney), lays down the law: If Letty doesn’t show up to her next check-in, he will send her back to prison.

NCIS: New Orleans: “Outlaws”
CBS, 10pm
In the new episode “Outlaws,” the NCIS team investigates the murder of a sailor during a rowdy motorcycle rally.

Driver vs. Driver
Golf Channel, 10pm
Season Finale!
Golf Channel’s seven-part reality competition series Driver vs. Driver comes to an end tonight as the winner is awarded $500,000 and the privilege of having their concept turned into the new Wilson Staff driver. The winning driver will be available in retail stores on Black Friday.

Chicago Fire: “That Day”
NBC, 10pm
While responding to a call in the field, Dawson (Monica Raymund) accidentally hits a pedestrian who steps in front of the ambulance, and is left to deal with the repercussions. Lt. Casey (Jesse Spencer) and Lt. Severide (Taylor Kinney) have a disagreement and continue to investigate an arson case while Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) is left to decide whether to attend an important function in New York. Elsewhere, in hopes of preparing him for a possible promotion, Lt. Casey puts Herrmann (David Eigenberg) at the helm for a shift so he can discover firsthand what his superiors deal with.

Soundbreaking: “Sound and Vision”
PBS, 10pm
Trace the rise of MTV and see how music videos transformed our experience of music — from David Bowie, Devo and Madonna to the Eurythmics and Nirvana. Learn how a marketing tool became an art form and a powerful mediator between artist and audience.

Aftermath: “The Barbarous King”
Syfy, 10pm
The Copelands are accosted by a gang of bikers led by a figure from Karen’s (Anne Heche) past, but when shapeshifters appear, it’s hard to know who to trust.

Shooter: “Exfil”
USA Network, 10pm
Bob Lee (Ryan Phillippe) struggles to protect his family from behind bars, while Isaac (Omar Epps) attempts to silence him. Nadine (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) reaches out to Bob Lee’s wife, Julie (Shantel VanSanten), who deals with the backlash against her family.

Wednesday, Nov. 23

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
ABC, 8pm
Get out your toaster and a big bowl of popcorn, because the animated Peanuts classic is back, featuring Charlie Brown trying his Charlie-Brown best to host Thanksgiving dinner for his less than thankful pals. The equally endearing This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers follows immediately after.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Honors
The CW, 8pm
This two-hour special pays tribute to some of Hollywood’s most memorable Walk of Fame ceremonies. Hosted by Joe Mantegna and daughter Gia, the program includes presentations by Louis Gossett Jr., Dean Cain, Justin Baldoni, Jeff Dunham, Melissa Rivers, Gabrielle Ruiz, Mike Tyson, Montel Williams and more. The special also features performances by Penn & Teller, Mike Love and the Beach Boys, Daughtry, BC Jean, Candice Glover, Pia Toscano, David Foster and Michael Bolton.

Broadcasting Christmas
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Melissa Joan Hart — in her Hallmark Channel premiere — plays an ambitious television anchor who competes against her rival (Dean Cain) from another network for a prized reporting position. For the two weeks leading up to Christmas, the duo try to scoop each other for the best and most meaningful Christmas news story.

Macy’s 90th Thanksgiving Day Parade Special
NBC, 8pm
On the night before the big day, as your turkey is brining and your pies are baking, take a look back at the nine decades that led up to the 2016 parade. Through archival footage and brand-new interviews, this hourlong tribute spotlights the event’s rich history, from the first-ever licensed character balloon — Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer’s famous Felix the Cat, which in this year’s parade will be re-created exactly as the black-and-white feline first appeared in 1927 — to the Macy’s Parade Studio’s latest innovations. Meanwhile, parade pros, hosts and a bevy of celebrity performers are primed to share their unique perspectives on this holiday tradition.

Pearl Harbor — USS Oklahoma —The Final Story
PBS, 8pm
Explore what happened to the USS Oklahoma, the only battleship to capsize during the Pearl Harbor attack. Examine new details about what may have caused the ship to overturn and hear stories from Oklahoma survivors and families of those lost.

Polar Bear Town: “Paparazzi Alert”
Smithsonian Channel, 8pm
A mother bear is leading her 9-month-old cub back from his first hunting season on the ice. Now they’ll face an even more daunting challenge: throngs of tourists descending on Churchill, which could put the cub and the visitors at risk. Guide Kelsey Eliasson assists in a groundbreaking research project that identifies bears through their unique whisker patterns.

Little Weddings
Lifetime, 9pm
New Series!
Lifetime’s three-week event series follows the McInturff family, who run Sassy Bash Events, a full-service events company in Simi Valley, Calif, that specializes in creating magical moments for little people in love. Owner Kelly and her siblings Kacy, TJ and Kensey bend over backward to ensure nuptials go off without a hitch for their little clients, even when emotions run high as they balance the everyday challenges of being little and the stress of planning their big day.

SNL Thanksgiving 2016
NBC, 9pm
A feast of some of the best Thanksgiving-related Saturday Night Live sketches.

The Double Dare Reunion Special
Nickelodeon, 9pm
In celebration of the 30th anniversary year of Nickelodeon’s kid-centric game show Double Dare, original host Marc Summers, beloved announcer Harvey and right-hand woman Robin reunite for a brand-new commemorative special. The half-hour special features vintage footage, behind-the-scenes content and messy new games taped earlier this year.

Pearl Harbor — Into the Arizona
PBS, 9pm
As the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor approaches, join the first expedition to explore inside the USS Arizona since the “date that will live in infamy,” as state-of-the-art imaging technology reveals the aftermath and incredible story of what happened at Pearl Harbor.

Code Black: “Behind the Curtain”
CBS, 10pm
Angels Memorial doctors treat cult members who survived a mass suicide attempt in the new episode “Behind the Curtain.”

Soundbreaking: “I Am My Music”
PBS, 10pm
From LPs to cassette tapes, CDs and MP3s, discover how listening formats determine how and where we listen, and also the ways we collect, store and share the music we love. The episode spotlights the work of Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead.

Thursday, Nov. 24

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NBC, 9am Live ET/9am Tape-delayed CT, MT, PT
Marching bands, musical performances, giant balloons and colorful floats abound in this annual turkey day tradition. And since it’s the 90th annual installment, NBC is celebrating with a look back at the rich history of this two-and-a-half-mile march through the streets of Manhattan.

“The Simpsons” Marathon
FXX, beginning at 12pm
“A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.” FXX airs 600 consecutive episodes of The Simpsons in chronological order beginning today and ending on Dec. 6. This marathon will be the longest in TV history, surpassing the 552-episode Simpsons marathon FXX ran in 2014.

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina
NBC, 12pm
Man’s best friends put on a parade of their own in this annual pup-ularity contest. John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Dancing With the Stars) and expert analyst David Frei will return as hosts, Mary Carillo reports from inside the show ring, and Olympic greats Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir will provide tail-wagging commentary as reporters and digital contributors. Over 190 breeds will compete for the coveted title of “Best in Show” including new breeds the American Hairless Terrier (terrier group), the Sloughi (hound group) and the Pumi (herding group).

NFL Football
CBS, FOX & NBC, beginning at 12:30pm Live
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving Day without a big helping of the NFL. This year, feast on the Minnesota Vikings at the Detroit Lions (CBS), the Washington Redskins at the Dallas Cowboys (FOX) and the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Indianapolis Colts (NBC).

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
ABC, 8pm
Thanksgiving wishes do come true! Siblings Julianne and Derek Hough get goofy to emcee Disney World’s annual Turkey Day blowout, which also features performances from Kelly Clarkson and Garth Brooks.

Christmas in Homestead
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Taylor Cole stars as a famous actress who heads to the Christmas-obsessed town of Homestead, Iowa, to shoot a holiday-themed movie. A romance brews between her and a local innkeeper and single dad (Michael Rady), and as she gets a taste of small-town life, she discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

Anne of Green Gables
PBS, 8pm
Original Film!
Martin Sheen stars as Matthew Cuthbert in this all-new revival of L.M. Montgomery’s beloved classic tale about a free-spirited and determined redhead named Anne Shirley. Ella Ballentine stars as Anne, a young orphan who is placed in the care of uptight and austere Marilla Cuthbert (Sara Botsford) and her kindhearted brother, and charms them with her romantic heart and thirst for adventure.

The Great Indoors: “No Bad Ideas”
CBS, 8:30pm
Human resources forbids Jack (Joel McHale) from giving his staff any feedback at all after he crushes Clark (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) with a brutally honest performance review in the new episode “No Bad Ideas.”

Thanksgiving Weekend Binge-a-Thon
TV Land, beginning at 8:30pm
Enjoy a feast of Thanksgiving-themed episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, The King of Queens, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Roseanne and How I Met Your Mother during TV Land’s Thanksgiving Weekend Binge-a-Thon.

Mom: “Blow and a Free McMuffin”
CBS, 9pm
In the new episode “Blow and a Free McMuffin,” Violet (Sadie Calvano) gets sick, and Christy (Anna Faris) and Bonnie (Allison Janney) find out that mononucleosis is the least of Violet’s problems.

Life in Pieces: “Steps Dinner Professor Lesbian”
CBS, 9:30pm
Guest Star Alert!
When Joan’s (Dianne Wiest) creative writing teacher, Sinclair Wilde (guest star Cary Elwes), praises her work, John (James Brolin) assumes it is because he has a crush on her. Fortune Feimster (The Mindy Project) also guest-stars in the new episode “Steps Dinner Professor Lesbian.”

Pollyanna
PBS, 9:30pm
Enjoy an adaptation of the children’s classic novel Pollyanna, about the young orphan whose effortless charm captures the hearts of family, friends and strangers alike and who believes that a little positive thinking can make a big difference.

Pure Genius: “Fire and Ice”
CBS, 10pm
James (Augustus Prew) convinces a hockey player with a severe spinal injury to undergo risky surgery that could enable him to walk again in the new episode “Fire and Ice.”

Friday, Nov. 25

Michael Che Matters
Netflix
SNL Weekend Update co-anchor and former Daily Show correspondent Michael Che stars in this standup comedy special filmed at Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Netflix
They’re back! This series of four 90-minute chapters (each spanning one of the four seasons, hence the show’s subtitle) catches us up with Lorelai and Rory Gilmore (Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel), along with other favorite faces from the beloved 2000-07 series, including Scott Patterson as Luke Danes, Kelly Bishop as Emily Gilmore, Keiko Agena as Lane Kim, Sean Gunn as Kirk Gleason and Matt Czuchry as Logan Huntzberger. Original creator Amy Sherman-Palladino wrote and directed all the episodes along with her husband, Daniel Palladino.

NHL Thanksgiving Showdown: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia
NBC, 1pm Live
The NHL Thanksgiving Showdown Black Friday tradition continues on NBC with an Eastern Conference rivalry game between the N.Y. Rangers and Flyers at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.

College Football
CBS & ESPN, beginning at 2:30pm Live
Black Friday college football action features Arkansas at Missouri (CBS); Baylor vs. Texas Tech (ESPN) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and Arizona State at Arizona (ESPN).

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
ABC, 8pm
Fred Astaire narrates this timeless Rankin/Bass tale of how good-hearted orphan Kris Kringle (voice of Mickey Rooney) outwitted the Winter Warlock and Burgermeister Meisterburger to bring holiday joy to the children of Sombertown.

Frosty the Snowman
CBS, 8pm
The classic animated musical special returns, narrated by Jimmy Durante. Jackie Vernon provides the voice of the “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic brings him to life. The special is followed by the 1992 sequel, Frosty Returns.

Christmas List
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Alicia Witt stars as Isobel, a young woman who travels with her boyfriend (Gabriel Hogan) to “the perfect Christmas town” to accomplish the Christmas bucket list she’s had since childhood.

Savage Kingdom
Nat Geo Wild, 9pm
New Series!
Charles Dance of Game of Thrones fame narrates this natural history documentary series that follows warring animal clans battling for survival in a remote, drought-stricken region of Africa. Lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs are the royal families fighting for dominance amid rivalries, betrayals, battles and triumphs. Nat Geo Wild promises that the series, which was shot in 4K by a team that spent a year in the field, is “not your father’s wildlife special.” The first hour of the premiere episode, “Clash of Queens,” follows the lioness Matsumi, while the second hour catches up with Saba the leopard.

Lang Lang’s New York Rhapsody: Live From Lincoln Center
PBS, 9pm
Watch as internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang performs a love letter to New York in this Live From Lincoln Center special, featuring music from Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Danny Elfman, Lou Reed, Alicia Keys, Don Henley and more.

Z Nation: “Doc’s Angels”
Syfy, 9pm
Doc (Russell Hodgkinson) tries to find a way to communicate with Warren (Kellita Smith), but instead encounters something much more menacing.

Van Helsing: “Last Time”
Syfy, 10pm
Vanessa (Kelly Overton) and the group take shelter in Susan’s (Hilary Jardine) family farm, finding both glimmers of hope and reasons for grief. With Sam (Christopher Heyerdahl) finally outed as the serial killer, Vanessa and Mohamad (Trezzo Mahoro) take drastic action against him. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s latest experiment to create Daywalkers has failed, and Dmitri’s (Paul Johansson) patience grows thin.

Saturday, Nov. 26

Robbie the Reindeer
CBS, 8pm
CBS airs two Robbie the Reindeer animated holiday specials tonight, beginning with “Hooves of Fire,” in which Robbie (voice of Ben Stiller) competes against Blitzen (voice of Hugh Grant) in the Reindeer Races for a position on Santa’s sleigh team. Then in “Legend of the Lost Tribe,” Robbie must stop Blitzen from creating a Reindeer World theme park.

Punkin Chunkin 2016
Discovery Channel & Science Channel, 8pm
After a two-year absence, this popular special returns with a three-hour simulcast on Discovery and Science. Punkin Chunkin is a gathering of unconventional engineering teams and builders who compete using a variety of technologies to see who can propel a pumpkin the farthest. Veteran Punkin Chunkin hosts Kari Byron and Tory Belleci cohost the event, joined by Kyle Hill, host of the upcoming new series MythBusters: The Search.

A Heavenly Christmas
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
In this star-studded Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Kristin Davis stars as Eve, a workaholic who, upon her untimely death, finds herself tethered to her guardian angel (Shirley MacLaine) and learning to become a Christmas angel. Eve is a terrible recruit but is assigned to help a struggling singer (Eric McCormack) use his musical gift to heal family wounds.

Legends of the Hidden Temple
Nickelodeon, 8pm
Original Film!
This new action-adventure film is inspired by the classic ’90s game show of the same name. Isabela Moner, Colin Critchley and Jet Jurgensmeyer star as three siblings who break away from a boring jungle tour and find themselves in a high-stakes obstacle course that they must complete in order to survive. Dee Bradley Baker reprises his role as the voice of Olmec, the game show’s talking head, and the show’s original host, Kirk Fogg, will also appear.

The Story of Santa Claus
CBS, 9pm
This animated musical holiday special features the voices of Ed Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry, and revolves around a gentle toymaker whose only wish is to deliver a toy to every child on Christmas.