Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, December 23. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
I Love Lucy Christmas Special (CBS, 8 p.m.): Great news: CBS is airing a one-hour special of two back-to-back I Love Lucy episodes! We’ll take that over CSI: Scorpion: Los Angeles any day. Less great news: Both of these episodes are colorized, because as we all know, newer is always better. We believe George Lucas taught us that. But it’s still I Love Lucy, and funny is funny. The episodes in question are “The Christmas Episode” (topical), which has been “colorized in its entirety for the first time,” and “the newly colorized” episode of “Lucy Does A TV Commercial” (also known as “Vitameatavegamin”).
Top pick No. 2: Top And Picker-er
The Challenge: Battle Of The Bloodlines / The Challenge Aftershow (MTV, 10 / 11 p.m.): Finally, Abram arrives to try to talk some sense into Cara Maria. Yes, we’re aware of how ridiculous that sounds. Also, Aneesa is upset her hookup with rookie Cory has led to locker room talk about said couple. Who would’ve known the 11 year age difference would be a factor in maturity levels, especially among former Real World stars? (Everyone but Aneesa, apparently.)
Also noted
WWE Tribute To The Troops (USA, 8 p.m.): “Howie Mandel and Train headline, along with WWE’s Superstars and Divas.” Just remind yourself: It’s for the troops. It’s. For. The. Troops. (We’re sorry, troops.)
Regular coverage
F Is For Family (Netflix)
Elsewhere in TV Club
You begged for it, and now you have it: the not-so-Best of 2015. So go ahead and check out the least essential TV of 2015. After you read the rest of this What’s On Tonight feature, of course.
What else is on?
Santas In The Barn (TruTV, 8 p.m.): “The four remaining Santas compete to make it into the final round. Here, they face their harshest critics.” LET’S GO SANTA! SANTA SUCKS!
Then And Now With Andy Cohen (Bravo, 10 p.m.): This is only the third episode, but according to Andy Cohen, that is enough to end a season. So here we are with the first season finale of Andy Cohen’s new show, Then And Now With Andy Cohen. Here’s what you have to look forward to: “The year 2000 is remembered. Included: Y2K; the ‘.com bubble burst’; and TV’s Big Brother, Survivor and Sex And The City.” Ah, Y2K. Memories.
Going Deep With David Rees (Esquire Network, 10 / 10:30 p.m.): As usual, we wanted to make fun of the simplicity of David Rees’ tasks, but then “How To Make Toast” found our weak spot: “David tries to create the perfect slice of toast for comedian Paul F. Tompkins.” Damn you, PFT. Damn you to toast Hell. Luckily, the rest of the episode synopsis is absolutely ridiculous: “To achieve his goal, David meets with scientists, renowned chefs and the editor of the Toaster Collectors Association Newsletter.” However, the synopsis for the next episode, “How To Make An Ice Cube,” assumes that there has never been an episode of Going Deep With David Rees before it: “A how-to show in which everyday skills are re-examined and expert advice is given. In the opener, author and humorist David Rees discovers different ways to make ice.” Is it too much to at least ask for a cameo from Ice Cube? (Or, at the very least, Paul F. Tompkins as Ice-T?)
Rich In Faith (Oxygen, 10 p.m.): “Rich and DawnChere land in the Big Apple to visit Rich’s brother and his mentor, but they’re ultimately unprepared for the trip.” Is it because “Baby It’s Cold Outside”? You see, that’s the episode title, so we’re assuming they’re unprepared for how cold it is in New York. Hey, what’s a weather app?
2015: The Year In Technology (Science, 10 p.m.): “The biggest science and technology stories of 2015 are recalled.” Alright, that was pretty self-explanatory.
Rev Runs Around The World (Travel Channel, 10 / 10:30 p.m.): “Rev and Justine take the kids to Dubai for a trip that’s all about extremes.” We’re assuming this means that Rev and Justine leave the kids, causing said kids to have to fend for themselves and embark on a human version of Homeward Bound. After that, “a nice, relaxing Turkish bath is what Rev is hoping to find during a trip to Istanbul.” This is the most unappealing episode synopsis we’ve read in awhile.
Chrisley Knows Best (USA, 10 p.m.): Last night’s Chrisley Knows Best was “A Very Chrisley Christmas 2,” so tonight’s episode… is the less festive “Leaving The Nest.” Thanks a lot, USA scheduling. “Todd finds a way to keep tabs on Savannah after dropping her off at her college in Nashville. Chase, meanwhile, has a plan to capitalize on Savannah’s new home.” Hopefully that gets you all in the holiday spirit.
Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out (MTV, 11 p.m.): Remy Ma guests on this episode of Wild ‘N Out, which means we’re one step closer to her finally returning to the hip hop aspect of Love & Hip Hop.
True Life (MTV, 11:30 p.m.): “I’m A Cyborg,” says this week’s True Life. Guess we just have to accept that, now don’t we?
Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel / Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (FX, 6 / 8 p.m.): Consider this a warning: Don’t do this to yourself.
Wish Upon A Christmas / Crazy For Christmas (Lifetime, 6 / 8 p.m.): These two Lifetime Christmas movies ask the most important question you can ever ask a woman: How do you juggle balance work and family? Given the holiday, we’re guessing the answer is obviously the love of a good man, even if that man is Santa. First, there’s Wish Upon A Christmas: “A woman returns to her hometown to help a family-run ornament company from going out of business. Her initial plan involves numerous layoffs, but she soon begins to reconsider her methods after rekindling an old romance with the factory’s owner.” See? The love of a good man, who is also a factory owner (like Santa). Then, there’s Crazy For Christmas: “A single mom agrees to work on Christmas Eve chauffeuring a very rich eccentric, who is really into the spirit of giving.” Santa’s a “very rich eccentric,” you know.
Scrooged (AMC, 7 p.m.): Given the season, you’re obligated to watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol. We suggest you watch either A Diva’s Christmas Carol or Scrooged, so here’s the latter. By the way, have you checked out A Very Murray Christmas yet?
Sports, sports, all type of sports
College Basketball: Central Connecticut State at Connecticut (ESPNU, 12:30 p.m.)
College Basketball: Diamond Head Classic (ESPNU, 2:30 / 4:30 / 11:30 p.m.)
Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State vs. Northern Illinois (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.)
College Basketball: Illinois vs. Missouri (ESPN2, 7 p.m.)
College Basketball: Utah Valley at Louisville (ESPNU, 7 p.m.)
NBA Basketball: Rockets at Magic (FSN, 7 p.m.)
GoDaddy Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Bowling Green (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
College Basketball: Las Vegas Classic (FS1, 8 / 10:30 p.m.)
College Basketball: Pepperdine at Portland (ESPNU, 9 p.m.)
WWE NXT (WWE Network, 8 p.m.)
Ring Of Honor (Comet TV, midnight)
In case you missed it
The Expanse: Apparently tensions rose on last night’s episode of The Expanse.