Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, December 17. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Black Mirror (DirecTV, 9 p.m.): So DirecTV pulled a fast one on viewers last week, airing Black Mirror out of order and screwing with the heads of TV critics across the United States. And yet David Sims soldiers on, reviewing “The Waldo Moment” on the day he was supposed to review “The Waldo Moment” because no bastardly dystopian satellite provider is going to grind him down. The human spirit will triumph no matter what technology chooses to use against it.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Person Of Interest (CBS, 10 p.m.): Considering that the female lead in the best film of the year is a talking computer, it’s about time that The Machine got some in-depth backstory. Phil Dyess-Nugent wishes this episode was called “How I Met Your Motherboard.”
Awkward. (MTV, 10:30 p.m.): The show wraps its third season with a super-sized finale, giving Myles McNutt just a little more time to enjoy an Awkward. that’s under the guidance of creator Lauren Iungerich.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Insane Clown Posse Theater (Fuse, 8:30 p.m.): These days, when they're not fighting costly legal battles, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope serve as the grease-painted Beavis and Butt-Head/Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew for a new generation. Of course, the duo made its greatest music video joke four years ago, when it dropped “Miracles” on an unsuspecting Internet.
The Voice (NBC, 9 p.m.): THIS IS THE VOICE! RESULTS SHOW! Will Team Adam nab its first victory since season one—or will Team Christina win for the first time ever? Because, of course, this competition is all about the coaches.
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 9 p.m.): A seasonal installment that's titled “Merry Evasion”—though it should so obviously be “Christmas Evasion.” C'mon, TV! Do we have to make all the holiday puns ourselves?
How Sherlock Changed The World (PBS, 9 p.m.): For that answer, you could tune in to this documentary about the world’s most famous detective—or you could skip over bothersome things like “facts” and “real-world impact” and just watch A Game Of Shadows on HBO.
Holiday Affair (TCM, 8 p.m.): Janet Leigh has a breezy yuletide love story with that lovable Christmas elf, Robert Mitchum (whose character happens to be a drifter, so you can still tell he's Robert Mitchum).
The Queen Of Versailles (CNBC, 9 p.m.): CNBC takes some time off from detailing how the American economy continues to circle the drain by airing a movie that’s a pretty detailed depiction of why the American economy continues to circle the drain.
NHL Hockey: Captials at Flyers (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.): Washington and Philadelphia wrap a home-and-home series, a two-game stretch that could also include some spectacular historical sightseeing tours.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
How I Met Your Mother: In a season where a Christmas episode would be a real stretch, Donna Bowman supposes Marshall and Marvin's long-delayed arrival at the Farhampton Inn will have to suffice. (But only if there’s no room because Lily’s still peeved about the judge thing.)