Around the remote: Chuck Barney’s TV picks for Dec. 18-24
DON’T MISS: “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come” – We’re all invited to a fabulous birthday bash in honor of the beloved crooner. This two-hour special, recorded earlier at Radio City Music Hall, features tributes from a long line of prominent artists, including Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bubli, Lady Gaga, Billy Joel, Elton John, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, Leslie Odom Jr., Rufus Wainwright and Stevie Wonder. Of course, Bennett will perform as well. 9 p.m. Tuesday, NBC.
Other bets:
SUNDAY: Yes the annual airing of “The Sound of Music” is still among our favorite things – right up there with raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. The 1965 Julie Andrews classic returns tonight. 7 p.m., ABC.
MONDAY: “First Lady Michelle Obama Says Farewell to the White House – An Oprah Winfrey Special” has Obama sitting down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Oprah. Topics include the legacy she’ll leave behind and her plans for the future. 8 p.m., CBS.
MONDAY: The “America’s Got Talent Holiday Spectacular” brings an array of past winners and fan favorites from the reality series back to the stage to perform holiday-themed routines. Among the highlights: Daredevil Professor Splash dives into a pool of egg nog. 8 p.m., NBC.
TUESDAY: In “Michael Buble Sings and Swings,” the velvet-voiced singer is back for his sixth holiday special. Taped before a live audience in Manchester, England, the hourlong show has him belting out some of his own hits, as well as popular jazz standards. 8 p.m., NBC.
TUESDAY: “Terry Crews Saves Christmas” is a series of specials in which the high-energy comedian comes to the aid of “hopeless holiday enthusiasts” who want to make their seasonal celebrations more merry and bright. He does so with a team of food, beverage and design experts. 8 p.m., The CW.
WEDNESDAY: Season 8 of “Undercover Boss” kicks off with back-to-back episodes. The opener focuses on the boss of Missouri’s Build-A-Bear Workshop, who learns that stitching together stuffed animals isn’t child’s play. 8 p.m., CBS.
THURSDAY: On tonight’s episode of “The Great Holiday Baking Show,” our participants must make one dozen molten-lava cakes, along with an assortment of decadent truffles and a layered mousse cake. Please refrain from licking the TV screen. 9 p.m., ABC.
FRIDAY: Country singer Miranda Lambert headlines “A Home for the Holidays,” the annual special that raises awareness of adoption and foster care. Performers include Alessia Cara and Rachel Platten. 8 p.m., CBS.
SATURDAY: OK, you’ve seen it a million times, but lovely Bedford Falls beckons again. “It’s a Wonderful Life” returns for its annual Christmas Eve airing and after a tumultuous year, it’s very much welcome, indeed. 8 p.m., NBC.
SATURDAY: We triple-dog dare you to watch all 24 hours of “A Christmas Story” marathon. It’s a feat of stamina that’s worth at least one glorious leg lamp. 8 p.m., TBS.