Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Tuesday, Dec. 27. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
The Kennedy Center Honors (CBS, 9 p.m.): Every time our British friends ask us why American TV basically shuts down for the better part of a month around this time of year, we try to think of things that actually do air in this programming dead space, and this is about the best we can do. Every year, CBS puts a bunch of celebrities congratulating various artistic and cultural titans on TV, and we all watch it because we like to feel cultured. We might even cover this year’s ceremony because we have nothing better to do!
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Quacker Factory By Jeanne Bice (QVC, 7 p.m.): “Fanciful apparel and accessories for women,” says the programming guide for this one, and that makes us think maybe we should review this one. Screw you, Kennedy Center!
Rocky 35th Annual Tribute Special (Biography, 8 p.m.): Finally, you can find out everything you ever wanted to know about Rocky but couldn’t learn from watching the director’s commentary on the DVD. Sylvester Stallone drops by to mumble atcha.
Bigfoot: The Definitive Guide (History, 9 p.m.): Working theory: History Channel actually has found Bigfoot, but the network has made sure to keep that information from the public, so as to increase the value of specials like this one.
Hardcore Pawn/Storage Hunters (truTV, 9 p.m.): These shows are in no way similar to Pawn Stars or Storage Wars, respectively. In the grand tradition of truTV, they are not ripoffs of more popular shows at all. So stop alleging that! God!
Bomb Patrol: Afghanistan (G4, 10 p.m.): We’ve enjoyed this new documentary series, and the series finale is tonight. Check it out to see what happens to everybody on the bomb patrol. Here’s hoping it’s nothing like the end of The Hurt Locker.
Frontline (PBS, 10 p.m.): Feeling serious-minded this evening? Then this repeat of one of the series’ best episodes of recent years will make for just the thing. It’s a look into the funeral home industry, so, yeah, not exactly a day-brightener here.
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (TCM, 8 p.m.): Are we the only ones who want to see a sequel to this movie where Richard Dreyfuss returns after decades of being away, and he reveals that life on an alien spaceship is just kinda boring?
Cedar Rapids (Cinemax, 8:30 p.m.): We enjoyed this low-key little comedy about a straitlaced insurance agent (Ed Helms) who goes to a convention in Cedar Rapids and learns to cut loose as only someone on a business trip in Iowa can.
Belk Bowl: Louisville vs. North Carolina State (ESPN, 8 p.m.): We’re not even going to pretend we care about this game. What we do want to know is what the hell a Belk is. Even Googling has only solved that it has something to do with the South.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Misfits (Monday): Rowan Kaiser loved this gender-bending episode and thought it had a lot to say about gender roles and the like. Some of you disagreed. Thus began some intriguing discussions. Hey. What else are you going to read, huh?