A Very Special Night For Television
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, December 9. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Six By Sondheim (HBO, 9 p.m.): The great fall-off is beginning: Network shows are starting to go home for the holidays—our regulars Adventure Time, Regular Show, How I Met Your Mother, Mom, and even The Blacklist are running repeats tonight. But fortunately we've got a few stragglers—and a whole lot of specials. One Direction is having an album release party on The CW, and ABC is hosting something called The Great Christmas Light Fight. HBO is broadcasting an original documentary that profiles the legendary musical theatre composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim. Todd VanDerWerff found the film good but not great; but fans are sure to like it, and the documentary features six new performances of six of Sondheim's classics, performed by the likes of Audra McDonald, America Ferrera, and Darren Criss. The documentary is directed by James Lapine, a longtime friend of Sondheim's. There will be singing! Dancing! And verbose lyrics! Never say we don't know how to make you happy.
REGULAR COVERAGE
The Wrong Mans (Hulu, 7 p.m.): The final episode of this Hulu show airs today. Erik Adams and Sonia Saraiya will be crosstalking it, so that history knows exactly what we both thought of this British caper.
Almost Human (Fox, 8 p.m.): Our heroes have to guard a crucial witness in a major murder trial. Can that be the whole story? Probably not. Kevin McFarland is on the case.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox 9 p.m.): A golem is released from purgatory as Ichabod tries to communicate with Katrina. John Noble guest-stars as a guy who might be able to help him communicate. Zack Handlen is not interested in a Fringe crossover, guys. Wait. Yes he totally is!
Hostages (CBS, 10 p.m.): Brian goes to the police to expose Duncan, but he's deterred, for some reason, when he discovers his wife has been getting her ladybusiness on with Duncan's sexy stubble-face. Meanwhile, Duncan's sexy stubble-face is being tortured because he didn't kill the president that one time! Oh God, not Duncan Carlisle! We love him too much! America weeps. Sonia Saraiya does, too, but for different reasons.