SUNDAY

DECEMBER 25

2016

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

Various Networks, 4:25 p.m. ET

On Christmas Day, the three games being played today all feature winning teams, a rarity in itself this season. But they may be difficult to find easily, because they’re scattered at odd times and on three different networks. NFL Network has the day’s first contest, between the 8-6 Baltimore Ravens and the 9-5 Pittsburgh Steelers, at 4:25 p.m. ET, live from Pittsburgh. The next games arrive at 8:30 p.m. ET: On NBC’s Sunday Night Football, there’s the 8-6 Denver Broncos visiting the 10-4 Kansas City Chiefs (pictured), and on ESPN, the 9-5 Detroit Lions visit the 12-2 Dallas Cowboys. There. Hope I’ve made it easier for you to find your teams, and enjoy the holiday even more.

CALL THE MIDWIFE HOLIDAY SPECIAL

PBS, 7:30 p.m. ET

SPECIAL: In this year’s annual holiday special, the dedicated ladies take a road trip – a really long road trip, to be of service in a faraway remote location in South Africa. For a full review, see David Hinckley's All Along the Watchtower. Check local listings.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

This 1991 animated musical celebrated its 25^th anniversary this year, and tonight ABC is showcasing it in prime time to mark the same occasion. Paige O’Hara and Robby Benson star in the title roles. Personal side note: I went to high school with one of them, and it wasn’t Benson. Merry Christmas, Paige.

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

CBS, 8:00 p.m. ET

This Christmas special has been televised once this season already, and one of the two colorized episodes, the official Christmas episode, was shown last year as well. But the other episode, “Lucy Gets in Pictures,” has been shown in its new full-color form only once – and when Lucy gets on the soundstage in her chorus-girl costume (a career phase endured by the real Lucille Ball before becoming a TV star), she is, indeed, pretty in pink. Lots and lots of pink.

THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW

CBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Another colorized classic comedy special is repeated tonight. I Love Lucy was a shining light of Fifties TV, and The Dick Van Dyke Show the apex of sitcoms in the Sixties, so pairing them, on Christmas night, is a special gift for TV fans. The two episodes shown here, “That’s My Boy?” and “Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth,” are high-watermark classics, and the only thing that really bothers me about the colorization, this time around, are the colors in the Petrie living room.

GREAT PERFORMANCES: “THE HOLLOW CROWN: THE WAR OF THE ROSES -- RICHARD III"

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

Benedict Cumberbatch has appeared previously in this Hollow Crown TV adaptation of the William Shakespeare history cycle of British monarchy – but before, he was biding time as an important supporting player. Tonight, as his character ascends the throne in Richard III, he goes all out, with a performance as dynamic and unforgettable as his Sherlock. Check local listings.

DOCTOR WHO

BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET

Modern technology has allowed U.S. viewers to enjoy the annual Doctor Who Christmas special the same day as folks in the U.K. – this year on a slightly time-delayed basis, but still. Tonight's special stand-alone episode is called The Return of Doctor Mysterioso, and among its special treats are a seeming superhero character to interact with Peter Capaldi as the current Doctor, and the introduction of the Doctor’s latest companion, Bill. And Bill is played by Pearl Mackie (pictured).

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David Bianculli

Founder / Editor

David Bianculli has been a TV critic since 1975, including a 14-year stint at the New York Daily News, and sees no reason to stop now. Currently, he's TV critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and is an occasional substitute host for that show. He's also an author and teaches TV and film history at New Jersey's Rowan University. His 2009 Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', has been purchased for film rights. His latest, The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to the Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, is an effusive guidebook that plots the path from the 1950s’ Golden Age to today’s era of quality TV.

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