Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, December 27. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The 39th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (CBS, 9 p.m.): It’s just two days after Christmas, which means a whole lot of leftovers and a severe dearth of new television. In other words, it’s a similar story to last Tuesday. There is at least one notable program, though, in the form of the Annual Kennedy Center Honors. This year, the honorees include Al Pacino, Mavis Staples, James Taylor, pianist Martha Argerich, and the Eagles. That last induction is bittersweet due to the death of Glenn Frey earlier this year. At the same time, it feels a bit malicious that only Frey, Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, and Joe Walsh are being recognized, and not Don Felder, Bernie Leadon, or Randy Meisner. This could just be a result of the Kennedy Center only honoring the most recent lineup, or maybe it’s indicative of the band’s oft-covered in-fighting, which we’ll talk about more in today’s streaming pick.
WWE Smackdown! Live (USA, 8 p.m.): Since it’s broadcast live and chock-full of surprises, Smackdown! never reveals any of its details ahead of time. No matter. It’s here, it’s sweaty, and it’s ready to rumble. Did you really think a puny holiday like Christmas was going to cancel it? LaToya Ferguson says no way. Remember, Santa Claus is a wrestling fan, and a helpful one at that!
No Tomorrow (The CW, 9 p.m.): No Tomorrow also gets a mention here just for showing up. Lisa Weidenfeld will be forgoing her post-Boxing Day feast to report on Xavier’s tense relationship with his father and whether or not the episode’s title, “No Soup For You,” is a Seinfeld reference. We’re guessing it is.
Premieres and finales
Chasing Cameron (Netflix): Cameron Dallas is a 22-year-old who rose to fame on Vine, so we old-timers at The A.V. Club are predisposed to thinking he’s an insufferable little shit. But that’s not fair. Maybe he’s… not? We’ll let him stay on our lawn for the time being as he and his buddies screen their new Netflix series about their first MAGCON international tour.
Regular coverage
Streaming pick
History Of The Eagles (Netflix): As we alluded to above, the Eagles’ career has constantly been dogged by infighting and lawsuits, and you can see it all in this two-part documentary from 2013. Even though the band’s most recent lineup authorized and fully participated in the film, Henley and Frey still come off as brooding and vindictive at times. But that’s also part of being an Eagles fan—having to recognize that all that “peaceful easy feelings” music will forever be offset by hedonism, conflict, and greed. Contradictions (especially classic-rock contradictions) are fascinating, at least to a certain kind of music geek.