TV this week: Season finales for ‘The Voice,’ ‘Survivor,’ ‘Watchmen’
Chuck Barney’s TV and streaming picks for Dec. 15-21
DON’T MISS: “A Christmas Carol” — George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart, Jim Carrey and even Mr. Magoo all have taken a crack at playing Ebenezer Scrooge. Now, Guy Pearce gets his chance to step into the shoes of the grouchy tightwad for television’s latest take on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic. Written and executive produced by Steven Knight, (“Peaky Blinders”) this one is touted as a highly faithful adaptation, so expect it to be oh so dark and gritty. Along the way, Scrooge will be visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past (Andy Serkis), Present (Charlotte Riley) and Future (Jason Flemyng). (7:30 p.m. Thursday, FX).
Other bets:
SUNDAY: Linda Ronstadt, Sally Field, Michael Tilson Thomas, “Sesame Street,” and the R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire all get their due at “The 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors” hosted by LL Cool J. “Sesame Street” becomes the first TV show to be so honored. (8 p.m., CBS).
SUNDAY: “Watchmen,” the year’s most audacious series, wraps up a successful first season with the promise that “everything ends. For real this time.” No word on whether the finale will contain a giant squid. (9 p.m., HBO).
SUNDAY: We’re struck by the fact that TV programmers like to turn everything into a competition. Hence, “The Christmas Caroler Challenge,” which has 12 vocal groups waging a holly-jolly battle for supremacy. (8 p.m., The CW).
MONDAY: “A Very Brady Renovation: Holiday Edition” is a groovy kind of special that reunites the six Brady siblings as they deck the halls of the recently renovated “Brady Bunch” house and celebrate the season. Joining them is the Food Network’s Ree Drummond, who helps to whip up some 1970s-inspired treats. (10 p.m., HGTV).
MONDAY: Ready for some sibling revelry? “Holiday With the Houghs” is a special that has brother and sister duo Derek and Julianne Hough welcoming celebrity guests and busting some moves in festive song-and-dance performances. (10 p.m., NBC).
TUESDAY: “The Voice” crowns its latest champion in a two-hour finale that features special performances by chart-topping artists and musical collaborations with the Top 4 finalists. Fan-favorite contestants also return. (9 p.m., NBC).
WEDNESDAY: Season 39 of “Survivor” ends with the announcement of the show’s $1 million winner. The finale is then followed by the traditional reunion special, hosted by Jeff Probst. (8 p.m., CBS).
WEDNESDAY: Get set to laugh and reminisce. After a rousing debut in May, “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” returns to re-create classic episodes of iconic sitcoms “All in the Family” and “Good Times.” (8 p.m., ABC).
THURSDAY: Last year, the swimsuit competition was ditched and now they’re putting a greater emphasis on talent at “The 2020 Miss America Competition.” Still, the winner will walk off with a sash and crown — and scholarship awards. (8 p.m., NBC).
FRIDAY: Based on the best-selling fantasy series, “The Witcher” is a new drama that follows a mutated monster-hunter for hire (Henry Cavill) who struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. He soon teams up with a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret. (Netflix).
SATURDAY: Look who’s back: Eddie Murphy returns to the stage at 30 Rockefeller Plaza to host “Saturday Night Live” for the first time in 35 years. Now, try to guess how many of his iconic characters he’ll reprise. (11:30 p.m., NBC).
Contact Chuck Barney at cbarney@bayareanewsgroup.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/chuckbarney and Facebook.com/bayareanewsgroup.chuckbarney.