TV best bets with Gwen Stefani, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Hart, 'Mr. Robot'

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Posted Tuesday, December 12, 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk

Oops. I forgot to finish this by yesterday. So the Monday listings are already out of date. My apologies.

The rest of the week includes some more holiday specials by the likes of Gwen Stefani (NBC, Tuesday) and Taraji P. Henson (Fox, Thursday). And the final original "SNL" of 2018 features Kevin Hart as host.

TNT's 'The Librarians" and Lifetime's "Little Women Atlanta" return. TBS's "Search Party" and USA's "Mr. Robot" wrap up their seasons.

This covers Monday, December 11 through Sunday, December 17, 2017.

MONDAY

"The Great Christmas Light Fight" 8 p.m. ABC — The Richards-Silver families' synchronized light show in Riverview, Fla.

"The Voice" 8 p.m. NBC — The top eight perform with Team Blake's top three still in.

"Scorpion" 10 p.m. CBS — As Team Scorpion anxiously awaits the verdict of Cabe's trial which could send him to prison, they focus their nervous energy on trying to save a dog stuck in a cistern.

"Gray State" 10 p.m. A&E  — A documentary about David Crowley, a charismatic up-and-coming voice in fringe politics, who died after starting production of a film "Gray State" set in a dystopian near-future where civil liberties are trampled by an unrestrained federal government.

"The Bachelor" 10 p.m. ABC — A look at the next Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s life, his family and love of racing, including his journey to find love.

TUESDAY

"The Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown" 8 p.m. the CW — A countdown of the 12 best holiday commercials ever—one for each of the 12 days of Christmas.

"Georgia GameChangers" 8 p.m. ABC — Jovita Moore talks to former Falcon Warrick Dunn about his charity work and Justin Farmer profiles a local mechanic who fixes cars for free.

"NCIS" 8 p.m. CBS — As Torres and Sloane run protection detail for U.S. Senator John Phillips in Afghanistan for the holidays, they must urgently return to the states after hearing the senator's son is in the ICU.

"Fresh Off the Boat" 8:30 p.m. ABC — As head of the HOA Christmas committee, Jessica threatens to cut the neighborhood caroling this year due to last year's rocky performance.

"Major Crimes" 9 p.m. TNT— The squad investigates the death of a second woman related to the Tackles case, and a new theory materializes.

"Gwen Stefani's You Make It Feel Like Christmas" 9 p.m. NBC — Gwen Stefani is joined by Blake Shelton, Chelsea Handler, Ken Jeong, Seth MacFarlane and Ne-Yo in this holiday special.

"Kevin (Probably) Saves the World" 10 p.m. ABC — Convinced that the universe is leading the way, a confident Kevin heads to Laos with Tyler in search of the first righteous soul.

"Chrisley Knows Best" 10 p.m. USA (fifth season finale) — The Chrisleys head to Tampa for Savannah's fashion line launch at HSN.

"Chicago Med" 10 p.m. NBC — Dr. Charles learns a troubling fact about the man who shot him.

WEDNESDAY

"Survivor" 8 p.m. CBS — Ben has burned so many bridges, he has no chance to win.

"Empire" 8 p.m. Fox — Cookie and Lucious devise an elaborate plan to take down Diana Dubois and her family once and for all.

"The Librarians" 8 p.m. TBS (fourth season debut) — When a secret sect of the Vatican Church unearths an ancient map detailing the locations of the four cornerstones of the Library of Alexandria (the original Library), it's up to Flynn and the Librarians—with the help of an unexpected ally—to stop them.

"The Goldbergs" 8 p.m. ABC — When Erica tells Beverly she is going to spend the first night of Hanukkah with Geoff and his family, Beverly worries and starts a competition for who hosts the best Hanukkah party.

"Dynasty" 9 p.m. the CW — The Carringtons' plan for a peaceful holiday are spoiled by two new arrivals and the scandals they bring with them.

"Little Women Atlanta" 9 p.m. Lifetime (fourth season debut) — Monie finally has her happily ever after, but when Juicy reveals some damaging information about Morlin, it threatens to end Monie's marriage.

"Modern Family" 9 p.m. ABC — When Claire lands a big opportunity for Pritchett's Closets, Jay expects a little validation for his contribution.

"Star" 9:01 p.m. Fox — The Midtown artists put their hard work to the test in hopes of winning the showcase.

"The Golden Globe 75th Anniversary Special" 10 p.m. NBC — So much glamour and glitz, so little time.

"Designated Survivor" 10 p.m. ABC — It's Christmas Day and President Kirkman is alerted to a group of religious extremists who refuse to evacuate when a forest fire threatens to engulf their cabin.

"Mr. Robot" 10 p.m. USA (third season finale) — Elliot tries to save Darlene, but things don't go as planned; Mr. Robot needs to step up or step back; and Angela considers the price.

THURSDAY

"The Big Bang Theory " 8 p.m. CBS — Sheldon and Wolowitz plan birthday celebrations for Amy and Halley, respectively.

"Showtime at the Apollo Christmas " 8 p.m. Fox — The nation's top musical acts perform Christmas songs, including Snoop Dogg and Boyz II Men; Fifth Harmony; and DMX.

"WWE Tribute to the Troops " 8 p.m. USA — Emanating from Naval Base San Diego, TV's most heartwarming and patriotic show of the year honors the men and women serving at home and abroad.

"The Great American Baking Show " 9 p.m. ABC (third season debut) — Molly Brodack of Atlanta is one of the competitors.

"Mom" 9:01 p.m. CBS — Christy and Bonnie rally around Marjorie when her husband has a stroke.

"Taraji's White Hot Holidays" 9:02 p.m. Fox — Guests: Chaka Khan, Ciara, Faith Evans, Fergie, Jussie Smollett, Leslie Odom Jr., Salt-N-Pepa and the Ying Yang Twins.

"Top Chef" 10 p.m. Bravo — In one of the show's signature Quickfires, the chefs battle against each other in a fierce Mise En Place relay.

FRIDAY

"The Ranch3:01 a.m. Netflix (second season finale)  — Colt is forced to face the new reality of his complicated love triangle with Abby and Heather.

"Jean-Claude Van Johnson3:01 a.m. Amazon (new series)  — Unhappily retired, Jean-Claude lives in superficial Hollywood until a chance encounter with a lost love lures him back into the game

"Blindspot"  8 p.m. NBC  —Facing a threat within the FBI, the team is forced to run a covert operation out of Jane and Weller's apartment. A tattoo leads to a doctor with a deadly secret.

"MacGyver"  8 p.m. CBS  — The LAPD interrupts the team's Christmas celebration to arrest Mac for terrorism when they find a body in a building destroyed by a bomb Mac built.

"Hell's Kitchen"  8 p.m. Fox  — The remaining all-stars head to the dining room to be greeted by Gordon and a camel, before diving into the infamous Blind Taste Test Challenge.

"Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir"  9 p.m. GPB  — Tenor Rolando Villazon joins the choir.

"Hawaii Five-O"  9 p.m. CBS (two episodes)  — When investigating a deserted yacht adrift at sea, McGarrett, Danny, Tani and Junior are exposed to a deadly bioweapon and the rest of Five-0 have only eight hours to find an antidote. Then it's Christmas Eve and Danny tells Charlie a bedtime story about a recent Five-0 case involving bad Santas and a holiday miracle.

WEEKEND

"Snowed-Inn Christmas" 8 p.m. Saturday Lifetime — Jenna Hudson and Kevin Jenner are polar opposites who work on a story together but their plane gets diverted to Santa Claus, Indiana and they focus on a troubled inn.

"Saturday Night Live" 11:29 p.m. Saturday  NBC — Kevin Hart hosts.

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — Can Porsha patch things up with the ladies?