Around the remote: Carol Burnett Show celebrates 50 years
DON’T MISS: “The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special” – My, how time flies. It has been five decades since Burnett and her band of merry jokers took TV by storm with their groundbreaking variety show. In this two-hour special, Burnett reminisces about her favorite sketches, guest stars, studio audience Q-and-As and zany bloopers. She’s joined by original cast members Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner, along with plenty of guests, including Jim Carrey, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Colbert, Harry Connick Jr., Jay Leno, Jane Lynch and others. 8 p.m. Sunday, CBS.
Other bets
MONDAY: It’s the battle of the bulbs as “The Great Christmas Light Fight” returns. In this over-the-top decorating contest, Clark Griswold wannabes compete for prize money that, hopefully, will cover their sky-high energy bills. 8 p.m., ABC.
MONDAY: “The Newspaper Man: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee” is a portrait of the man who served as executive editor of The Washington Post from 1968 to 1991. He is largely credited with taking down President Richard Nixon in 1974 after the Post broke the Watergate story. 8 p.m., HBO.
TUESDAY: It’s a “Gaye Olde Christmas” for “Will & Grace” as the gang turns back the clock to 1912 to experience the holiday in old New York City. Unfortunately, the past was not quite as romantic – or open to diversity – as they hoped. 9 p.m., NBC.
TUESDAY: The new reality series “Stripped” bares it all as participants surrender clothes, furniture, money, hygiene products and electronic devices. Over 21 days, they go on a journey of self discovery that ultimately exposes what is truly important to them. 10 p.m., Bravo.
WEDNESDAY: Christopher Meloni returns to prime time in the wildly offbeat “Happy!” He plays a boozy corrupt ex-cop-turned-hit man, who, after a near-death experience, begins to see a relentlessly positive, imaginary flying blue horse (voiced by Patton Oswalt) who changes his life. 10 p.m., Syfy.
WEDNESDAY: “Knightfall” is a compelling period drama about the Knights Templar, a powerful, wealthy and mysterious Catholic military order of the Middle Ages. They were entrusted with protecting the highly prized Holy Grail. 10 p.m., History Channel.
THURSDAY: Fans of “Psych” get an early holiday gift with “Psych: The Movie.” Shawn (James Roday), Gus (Dule Hill) and the gang return to chase down a mystery assailant who has targeted one of their own. 8 p.m., USA.
THURSDAY: Ayesha Curry and Anthony “Spice” Adams host “The Great American Baking Show,” the culinary competition that challenges contestants to whip up lots of festive treats. Please refrain from licking the TV screen. 9 p.m., ABC.
FRIDAY: In the midseason finale of “Blue Bloods,” Erin is conflicted when Jamie and Eddie ask her to help drop old charges against a man who just bravely rescued a woman from a local hostage situation. Also, Baker receives a job offer. 10 p.m., CBS.
SATURDAY: In the TV movie “Christmas in Mississippi,” a young woman (Jana Kramer) is eager to help organize her town’s holiday festival, only to discover that it’s being run by her former high school sweetheart. Uh oh. Now what? 8 p.m., Lifetime.