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Monday, Dec. 30: A Family Flees the Taliban in ‘Midnight Traveler’

MidnightTravelerFilm.com

ALSO SEE: NFL 2019 TV Schedule

All Times Eastern.

Monday, Dec. 30

POV: “Midnight Traveler”
PBS, 10pm
When the Taliban puts a bounty on Afghan director Hassan Fazili’s head, he is forced to flee with his wife and two young daughters. Fazili shows firsthand the dangers facing refugees seeking asylum and the love shared between a family on the run.

Alexa & Katie
Netflix
New Episode!

It’s Christmas break, and Alexa (Paris Berelc) has been getting quite a bit of attention from her ex-boyfriend, who is going to be home from college. Meanwhile, Spencer has grown distant as he experiences the hair-loss effects of his chemotherapy, and Alexa tries to help him through it. Katie (Isabel May) runs a canned food drive, but she starts feeling like a Scrooge as she gets busier and busier while her friends are having holiday fun.

College Football
ESPN & FOX, beginning at 12:30pm Live

ESPN airs the Servpro First Responder Bowl, the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl and the Capital One Orange Bowl. FOX airs the Redbox Bowl.

College Basketball
FS1, beginning at 6:30pm Live

A college basketball twin bill of Big East games on FS1 has Xavier at Villanova and Seton Hall at DePaul.

The Intern
AMC, 8pm

Robert De Niro stars in this endearing dramedy as a 70-year-old widower who takes a job as an intern at an online fashion site.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Ares
Netflix
New Series!

This psychological horror series delves into the world of a secret student society in Amsterdam. Two best friends join the group, only to slowly discover that they’ve entered a demonic place.

Dead Kids
Netflix
Original Film!

A socially awkward teen bonds with a group of misfits who plot to take out their school’s arrogant rich kid — but their kidnapping scheme turns deadly.

The Gift
Netflix
New Series!

A young painter leads a perfect life in Istanbul. But that is about to change when an archaeologist makes a discovery that connects her to an ancient temple, sparking a quest to learn the secrets of her past hidden in the temple’s ruins.

Go! Go! Cory Carson
Netflix
New Series!
This animated preschool series follows the adventures of kid car Cory Carson as he navigates the winding roads of childhood.

Spectros
Netflix
New Series!

Described by its writer/director as a “mashup of Brazilian folklore and real-life history,” this supernatural thriller unleashes the long-buried stories of Liberdade, a neighborhood in São Paulo known for its large Japanese community.

“The Twilight Zone” New Year’s Marathon
Syfy, beginning at 6am

Celebrate the 60th anniversary (which was back in October) of Rod Serling’s classic anthology series The Twilight Zone with a marathon encompassing 92 episodes.

“Thin Man” Marathon
TCM, beginning at 9:15am

Spend part of your New Year’s Eve with Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) — the witty, hard-drinking, fun-loving, high-society couple who often find themselves embroiled in solving mysteries — and their lovable dog Asta for a day of all six of the comedy/mystery Thin Man films, beginning with the 1934 original. Check the listings section for titles and airtimes.

College Football
CBS, CBS Sports Network & ESPN, beginning at 12pm Live

Get your New Year’s Eve celebration started early with the Belk Bowl (ESPN), the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (CBS), the AutoZone Liberty Bowl (ESPN), the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl (CBS Sports Network) and the Valero Alamo Bowl (ESPN).

Party Like It’s 1986 Movie Marathon
IFC, beginning at 2pm

IFC rings in the new year by revisiting an old one, with four back-to-back airings of the 1986 hit comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2020
ABC, 8pm Live

New Year’s Eve Live
CNN, 8pm Live

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen cohost CNN’s New Year’s Eve celebration live from Times Square in New York City.

A Toast to 2019!
NBC, 8pm

This two-hour, year-end review takes a look back at the highlights and newsmakers of 2019.

Live From Lincoln Center: “New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve 2019 Sondheim Celebration”
PBS, 8pm

Ring in the new year with the New York Philharmonic and guest vocalist Katrina Lenk as they celebrate the orchestral music of Stephen Sondheim by performing suites from Sunday in the Park With George, Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd.

NBC’s New Year’s Eve
NBC, 10pm & 11:30pm Live

Live from Times Square in New York City, this two-part celebration wraps up 2019 with celebrity guests, unforgettable musical performances and, of course, the iconic ball drop.

Wednesday, Jan. 1

Messiah
Netflix
New Series!

This thriller created by Michael Petroni (The Book Thief) and executive produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (The Bible) explores the power of influence and belief in the social media age. When CIA officer Eva Geller (Michelle Monaghan) learns about a man (Mehdi Dehbi) gaining international attention through acts of public disruption, she begins an investigation into his origins, even as he cultivates followers who believe he is performing miracles.

Spinning Out
Netflix
New Series!
This 10-episode drama follows Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario), a high-level figure skater who is about to turn in her skates after a disastrous fall takes her off the competition track. When Kat seizes an opportunity to continue her career as a pair skater with a talented bad-boy partner, Justin Davis (Evan Roderick), she risks exposing a fiercely kept secret that could unravel her entire life. Also stars Mad Men’s January Jones.

The 131st Rose Parade
NBC, 11:30am Live

Al Roker and Hoda Kotb cohost the famous New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, Calif., ahead of the Rose Bowl college football game later on ESPN. Rita Moreno, Gina Torres and Laurie Hernandez will serve as 2020 grand marshals of the parade, which is renowned for its floral floats.

College Football
ABC & ESPN, beginning at 1pm Live

The New Year’s Day college football tradition continues with Michigan vs. Alabama in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl (ABC), Minnesota vs. Auburn in the Outback Bowl (ESPN), Oregon vs. Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl (ESPN) and Georgia vs. Baylor in the Allstate Sugar Bowl (ESPN).

NHL Winter Classic: Nashville at Dallas
NBC, 2pm Live

The 12th edition of the NHL’s New Year’s Day outdoor game takes place at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, where Roman Josi and the Nashville Predators try to take the shine off of Tyler Seguin and the Stars.

The First 48
A&E, 8pm
Season Premiere!

To kick off the new season, this anniversary special will bring viewers along as detectives work to solve the murders of two women in Tulsa, Okla., who were gunned down in broad daylight. Commemorating 15 years on the air, the two-hour special will also include interviews with some of the most prominent homicide detectives featured in the series to date as they look back on some of the most memorable cases of their careers.

Doctor Who
BBC America, 8pm
Season Premiere!

The Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) returns in this special New Year’s Day season premiere. The Doctor resumes her travels through time and space with friends Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yasmin (Mandip Gill) and Graham (Bradley Walsh). Guest stars this season include Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry, Goran Višnjić and Robert Glenister. The series will air on its regular day and time beginning Jan. 5.

Married at First Sight
Lifetime, 8pm
Season Premiere!

The milestone 10th season will be supersized to two hours each night and — for the first time in history — will feature five new couples who take the leap into matrimony without so much as knowing who they are to be wedded to.

My 600-Lb. Life
TLC, 8pm
Season Premiere!

It’s a difficult battle being overweight. Past seasons have shown us the emotional stories of the hardships that go along with addiction, dependence and the cruelness of a society that can be all too judgmental. New episodes will follow patients’ emotional and physical journeys, life-saving surgeries with Dr. Nowzaradan, and progress thereafter.

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
CNN, 9pm

This acclaimed documentary film explores the life and musical journey of Linda Ronstadt. The singer narrates her own story over footage of her personal photos, archival film of her concert performances and music videos, guiding viewers through everything from her early life to the stories behind favorite songs like “You’re No Good.” CNN will encore the film on Jan. 4; check listings for times.

Great Performances: “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2020”
PBS, 9pm

Celebrate 2020 with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein. Under the baton of guest conductor Andris Nelsons and featuring the Vienna City Ballet, the orchestra will play the waltzes of Strauss. Hugh Bonneville returns as host.

Impossible Engineering
Science Channel, 9pm
Season Premiere!

The series that looks at remarkable feats of human ingenuity and 21st-century technology returns. This season, the series journeys to Dubai, London, Whistler, Rotterdam and beyond as experts examine some of the most mind-blowing engineering marvels around the world.

Alaska PD
A&E, 10pm
New Series!

This new series brings viewers to America’s Last Frontier, where the line between civilization and lawlessness can be razor thin. Chronically shorthanded police departments across the state must turn to officers from the Lower 48 to fight a soaring crime rate. For the “newbies,” it is a trial by fire as they learn firsthand that policing, like everything else, is different in Alaska.

Supernanny
Lifetime, 10pm
Season Premiere!

Jo Frost is back applying her no-nonsense techniques to help families with their ongoing challenges of raising children in today’s busy digital world. “I’m so proud of the families who have worked tremendously hard to accomplish and overcome such challenges,” Jo tells us. “I have to say, being able to give children the opportunity to feel heard and openly express how they feel in a safe space of love and respect will always remain close to my heart.”

The Explosion Show
Science Channel, 10pm
New Series!

Science Channel starts off the new year with a bang by enlisting two notorious explosion experts — MythBusters star Tory Belleci and Nitro Circus daredevil/stuntman “Streetbike” Tommy Passemante — as hosts of this series. Each episode takes a behind-the-scenes look at the many ways explosions exist in our everyday world. There will be science, high jinks, close calls, and, of course, lots and lots of explosions.

1000-Lb. Sisters
TLC, 10pm
New Series!

Tipping the scales at over 1,000 pounds combined, the Slaton sisters — Amy, age 31, and Tammy, age 32 — are the subject of TLC’s new six-part series. The docuseries will follow the sisters through their biggest endeavor yet: losing enough weight to qualify for and undergo life-changing bariatric surgery. Tammy’s limited mobility (she’s 600 pounds and hasn’t left the house in six years except for medical appointments) forces her to rely on Amy, who she lives with.

Thursday, Jan. 2

“Surviving R. Kelly” Marathon & Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning
Lifetime, beginning at 3pm

Lifetime unravels more of the R. Kelly saga, but first is a six-hour marathon of the original series, followed by the two-hour premiere of Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning. The five-part follow-up features interviews from a variety of perspectives, including new survivors and supporters and cultural and legal experts, as the R&B singer awaits facing federal and state charges.

Homestead Rescue
Discovery Channel, 8pm
New Episodes!

Marty, Matt and Misty Raney are back to again use their building, farming and hunting expertise to help people looking to live off the grid.

Last Man Standing
FOX, 8pm
Season Premiere!

Last Man Standing returns for Season 8 with back-to-back episodes beginning tonight. Tim Allen is back as Mike Baxter, a happily married father of three daughters who finds himself the odd man out as he tries to maintain his manliness in a home dominated by women. Stars Nancy Travis, Amanda Fuller, Molly McCook, Christoph Sanders, Jordan Masterson, Jonathan Adams, Krista Marie Yu and Hector Elizondo also return.

Deputy
FOX, 9pm
New Series!

FOX’s new drama takes the spirit of a classic Western and melds it into a modern cop drama. When the elected sheriff dies, an arcane rule in the county charter suddenly thrusts the most unlikely man into the job. That man is Bill Hollister (Stephen Dorff, True Detective), a fifth-generation lawman who is only interested in justice. Given a job he never wanted, in an unfamiliar sea of politics, Bill quickly learns that doing what is expected and doing what is right are two different things.

Christina on the Coast
HGTV, 9pm
Season Premiere!

The new season spotlights Christina Anstead as she expands her design business in Southern California and highlights her personal journey with new husband Ant Anstead, star of the MotorTrend series Wheeler Dealers, their blended family and new baby.

Dr. Pimple Popper
TLC, 9pm
Season Premiere!

She’s still popping pimples, and people are still watching! Dr. Sandra Lee continues to treat patients with unusual skin conditions and helps them lead a life free of embarrassment — one needle, pop and scalpel at a time. This season Dr. Lee deals with several patients with potentially life-threatening conditions, a woman whose self-confidence has been destroyed after years of bullying from bumps on her face and a patient who has a large bump on his head that he has named his “on/off” button.

Ghost Adventures: Screaming Room
Travel Channel, 9pm
New Series!

In this series, paranormal investigators and Ghost Adventures stars Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Jay Wasley and Billy Tolley open up to viewers as never before. Sitting in a screening room to watch their favorite Ghost Adventures episodes, the team gets candid with fans — and each other — about their craziest experiences over the past decade.

60 Days In
A&E, 10pm
Season Premiere!

For the first time in show history, more participants struggle to survive the intense program and are forced to quit early as a newly elected sheriff takes over one of the worst facilities the series has ever seen. This season, the participants will face the biggest challenge of their lives in an effort to rid a jail of contraband and corruption before it is too late.

My Feet Are Killing Me
TLC, 10pm
New Series!

Dr. Ebonie Vincent and Dr. Brad Schaeffer have never met a foot too funky to fix. Cameras follow these expert podiatrists and surgeons — one West Coast and one East Coast — as they bring their warm bedside manners to juggle all sorts of eye-popping cases, from wart clusters and funky fungus, to toe amputations and foot reconstructions.

Friday, Jan. 3

Anne With an E
Netflix
Season Premiere!

Netflix has announced that this third season of its drama series based on the Anne of Green Gables books will be its final season. Amybeth McNulty, Geraldine James and R.H. Thomson star in the tale of the plucky orphan who finds an unlikely home with a brother and sister who do not have families of their own. Series creator Moira Walley-Beckett mentioned that she would be open to a feature-film finale for the story, though nothing is set at this time.

Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning
Lifetime, 9pm

Tonight we’ll see Parts 3 and 4 in the five-part follow-up to Surviving R. Kelly, an explosive docuseries that was nominated for an Emmy Award and was seen by over 26 million people. These new episodes will feature more interviews with new survivors, psychologists and experts on the case, providing more insights into the ever-growing saga of the R&B singer and his alleged abusive behavior.

Kindred Spirits
Travel Channel, 9pm
Season Premiere!

Paranormal investigators Amy Bruni and Adam Berry, with medium Chip Coffey, are back for Season 4. They will again enter America’s darkest locations, seeking answers to the most chilling haunted mysteries. In the season premiere, they investigate the Farrar Schoolhouse in Maxwell, Iowa, which closed years ago but was recently infested by a dark force.

Ghost Loop: “Frozen in Fear”
Travel Channel, 10pm

In Lubbock, Texas, the team helps a woman and her young children being targeted by a malevolent spirit known as the Tall Man. Local folklore reveals that the Tall Man was a train robber who killed his victims by throwing them off a train trestle. By engaging the spirit in a 1900s-era train car trigger environment, the team attempts to cast him out.

Extreme Love
WE tv, 10pm
Season Premiere!

The unbelievable show returns for a wildly bizarre second season, taking a deeper look at more incredible and unusual real-life relationships. While shocking, the relationships are also in many ways universal and relatable. From mermaid couples to role-playing kittens, sploshers to a young woman in love with a Boeing 737 — these are love stories with outrageous twists!

Saturday, Jan. 4

Go! Go! Cory Carson
Netflix
New Series!

This animated preschool series follows the adventures of kid car Cory Carson as he navigates the winding roads of childhood.

College Basketball
CBS, ESPN2 & FOX, beginning at 12pm Live

College basketball highlights today include Indiana at Maryland (FOX), Georgia at Memphis (CBS), Villanova at Marquette (FOX) and Texas at Baylor (ESPN2).

NFL Football: AFC and NFC Wild Card Playoffs
ABC/ESPN, CBS, FOX, NBC, beginning at 4:30pm Live

The NFL playoffs begin with wild-card weekend as eight of the 12 teams in the hunt for Super Bowl LIV try to advance to next weekend’s Divisional Playoff round. ABC/ESPN, CBS, FOX and NBC each air one game, with Saturday’s two games airing in late afternoon and primetime, and Sunday’s two games airing in the afternoon.

Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning
Lifetime, 8pm

Tonight concludes this five-part documentary series that explores why the voices of the girls who spoke up decades ago about R. Kelly’s alleged abusive behavior are only now being heard.

Say Yes to the Dress America
TLC, 8pm
Season Premiere!

The most epic wedding series and event in TLC history gets underway when one bride from every state is flown to New York for a private shopping event for her dream dress at the world-famous Kleinfeld Bridal salon. Then they’ll join charismatic host and bridal designer Randy Fenoli for an unprecedented group wedding spectacular full of glitz, gowns and glamour. Pulling double duty, Randy will officiate as each couple says “I do” in unison at New York City’s iconic Central Park in a two-hour event capping off the engaging 10-part series. Joining him to help create the wedding event of a lifetime will be bridal designer Hayley Paige, who is stepping in as “America’s bridesmaid,” Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro, style expert Lilliana Vazquez and fashion industry veteran Joe Zee. Randy will also be hitting the road to surprise 10 brides, revealing the news they’ve been chosen and getting a taste of life in their hometowns.

Hopelessly in Love: “Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes and Andre Rison”
Lifetime, 9:30pm

This three-week, intimate documentary film series explores three of the most iconic and tragic celebrity love stories in pop culture history. Tonight’s episode tells the story of TLC pop star Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and NFL wide receiver Andre Rison. The film delves into their passionate yet reckless romance that went from abuse allegations to a mansion up in flames. Never-before-seen footage, including the moments leading up to Left Eye’s death, reveals the depth of their love and the underlying turmoil that tore them apart.

Sunday, Jan. 5

The 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards
NBC, 8pm Live

Ricky Gervais vowed he’d never return as host of the Hollywood Foreign Press’ annual celebration of film and television, but the scathingly funny comedian got an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Worst Cooks in America
Food Network, 9pm
Season Premiere!

Alton Brown joins Anne Burrell to transform a roster of terrible cooks into culinary shape with challenges bigger and crazier than ever in a brand-new season of Worst Cooks in America. The series pits two teams of atrocious cooks against each other in a rigorous kitchen boot camp designed to transform their food skills. In the end, the one recruit who makes the most impressive culinary improvement wins a $25,000 cash prize and bragging rights for their team leader.

Naked and Afraid
Discovery Channel, 10pm
Season Premiere!

The survival competition series returns with its most isolating challenge to date, dubbed the “alone edition.” Veterans from both Naked and Afraid and Naked and Afraid XL will be dropped into the most isolated areas around the globe and left there with nothing on their backs and no one by their sides.

Sister Wives
TLC, 10pm
Season Premiere!

The sister wives have just moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., where they find unhappy neighbors and a potential financial disaster. Kody makes plans for the whole family to build one giant house, but the wives are not so sure.

Monday, Jan. 6

Infinity Train
Cartoon Network, 7:30pm
Season Premiere!

The critically acclaimed animated series returns for a second installment, titled Book 2, that will air over a special five-night event, with two episodes airing each night this week. Book 2 follows Mirror Tulip (voice of Ashley Johnson), an escaped reflection from the mirror world, and 14-year-old Jesse Cosay (voice of Robbie Daymond), who find themselves on the run from the mirror police.

America’s Got Talent: The Champions
NBC, 8pm
Season Premiere!
Singer/songwriter Alesha Dixon joins returning judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel for Season 2 of the competition series that brings together more of the most talented and memorable acts from America’s Got Talent and similar programs from around the world. Terry Crews hosts.

The Bachelor
ABC, 8pm
Season Premiere!

It’s the night Bachelor Nation has been waiting for! Airline pilot Peter Weber flew into the hearts of women everywhere and all of America was left shocked and heartbroken when Hannah Brown decided to end their relationship. Now Peter is back and ready to once again capture hearts across the nation when he returns for another shot at love as the star of the 24th season.

Kids Baking Championship
Food Network, 9pm
Season Premiere!

Hosts and judges Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman put the baking skills of 12 young bakers to the test as they guide them through 10 wild weeks of challenges on their way to $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine and the title of Kids Baking Champion.

American Experience: “McCarthy”
PBS, 9pm

Explore the rise and fall of the notorious senator who led a Cold War crusade against Communists. His zealous campaign to root out those he viewed as enemies of the state would test the limits of American decency and democracy.

Manifest
NBC, 10pm
Season Premiere!
Last season’s No. 1 new broadcast drama returns for Season 2. In the first season finale, Ben (Josh Dallas) and Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh) confronted a dire threat to the passengers’ safety when Griffin (guest star Marc Menchaca) schemed to take the callings public. Meanwhile, Ben, Grace (Athena Karkanis) and Olive (Luna Blaise) made a devastating discovery.