Wednesday’s TV Highlights: PBS’s ‘Secrets of the Dead: Van Gogh’s Ear’ on KOCE

SERIES

Jay Leno’s Garage Leno heads to Edwards Air Force Base with astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, then drives the $2.5-billion Mars Rover. Tim Allen also appears in the season finale. 7 and 10 p.m. CNBC

Survivor The remaining castaways vie for a chance at the $1-million prize in the season finale. 8 p.m. CBS. The annual reunion episode follows at 10.

The Goldbergs Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) encourages Erica (Hayley Orrantia) to write a Hanukkah song for a holiday pageant. 8 p.m. ABC

Empire In the drama’s fall finale, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) tries to help Angelo (guest star Taye Diggs) win the mayoral race by staging a free concert for him while Lucious (Terrence Howard) and others find themselves at the mercy of the FBI, which freezes the company’s assets. Leslie Uggams and Kaitlin Doubleday also guest star. 8 p.m. Fox

Speechless Julianne Hough (“Dancing With the Stars”) guest stars as a choir teacher who inspires JJ (Micah Fowler) to join the group and try to do the solo assigned to Ray (Mason Cook). Minnie Driver, John Ross Bowie, Kyla Kenedy and Cedric Yarbrough also star. 8:30 p.m. ABC

Modern Family Manny and Luke (Rico Rodriguez, Nolan Gould) try to stage a school dance while Claire and Gloria (Julie Bowen, Sofia Vergara) try to play matchmakers for the school principal (Andrew Daly) and a student’s mother (Vanessa Bayer). 9 p.m. ABC

Star Several young women embark on singing careers in Atlanta in this new drama. Newcomers Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny, Brittany O’Grady and Amiyah Scott are showcased, supported by veteran talents, including Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt. 9 p.m. Fox

black-ish With Zoey (Yara Shahidi) about to head for college, Dre (Anthony Anderson) intends to stage the family’s most memorable Christmas. Johan and his friend Gigi (guest stars Daveed Diggs and Tyra Banks) are invited to the celebration. Tracee Ellis Ross, Laurence Fishburne, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown and Marsai Martin also star. 9:30 p.m. ABC

Designated Survivor President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) learns troubling facts about the bombing of the U.S. Capitol and asks Emily (Italia Ricci) to conduct a covert probe of the White House staff. Ashley Zukerman, Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, Kal Penn and Maggie Q also star. 10 p.m. ABC

Secrets of the Dead This new episode revisits the story of Vincent Van Gogh severing his own ear and delves into the circumstances that led him to commit that act on Dec. 23, 1888. The results of researcher Bernadette Murphy’s five-year investigation reveals details of the life he lived in Arles, France. 10 p.m. KOCE

Wahlburgers Mark and Josh Duhamel try to sneak Wahlburgers merchandise into scenes of the latest “Transformers” film in this new episode. 10 p.m. A&E

Rectify As he begins to realize what his new life may entail, Daniel (Aden Young) starts to appreciate the progress he’s made in the series finale. 10 p.m. Sundance

SPECIALS

A Pentatonix Christmas Special The Grammy-winning a cappella singing group is featured this new special and performs holiday favorites with Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson and others. 8 p.m. NBC

Top 12 Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time Host Dean Cain, who admits his own favorite seasonal film is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” counts down a list of holiday favorites that’s sure to include: “White Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “A Christmas Story” and some version of “A Christmas Carol.” 8 p.m. KTLA

WWE Tribute to the Troops Big Show, Mark Henry, Charlotte and other of the WWE Superstars are part of the annual celebration from Washington, D.C. 8 p.m. USA

Saturday Night Live Christmas Special This new special features holiday-themed sketches from the late-night comedy show’s long run. 9 p.m. NBC

BBC Music Awards This new special celebrating the year’s music features performers Robbie Williams, the 1975, Emeli Sandé, John Legend, Lukas Graham, Kaiser Chiefs, Zara Larsson and Craig David and others.10 p.m. BBC America

TALK SHOWS

CBS This Morning (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today Ben Affleck; Megan Mullally; Jordan Metzl; Jackie Evancho and Il Volo perform. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America Jeremy Irons; Julianne and Derek Hough; Buddy Valastro. (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. Taye Diggs (“Empire”); Michael Sheen (“Passengers”). (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live with Kelly Michael Fassbender; Gavin DeGraw performs. (N) 9 a.m. KABC

The View Taraji P. Henson. (N) 10 a.m. KABC

Rachael Ray Chef Richard Blais; Megan Hilty. (N) 10 a.m. KCAL

The Doctors Playing hooky; taking a baby to a chiropractor; suicides among middle school kids; Gabrielle Reece. (N) 11 a.m. KCAL

The Wendy Williams Show The cast of “The Jersey Boys” performs. (N) 11 a.m. KTTV

The Talk Katie Holmes; Nelson, Carnie and Wendy Wilson perform. (N) 1 p.m. KCBS

The Dr. Oz Show The signs of a ruptured brain aneurysm; William Shatner. (N) 1 p.m. KTTV

Steve Harvey Two women with relationship issues; gifts for food lovers; Ta’Rhonda Jones (“Empire”). (N) 2 p.m. KNBC

Harry Andy Cohen (“Watch What Happens Live,” book “Superficial”); Kyle Richards; Train performs. (N) 2 p.m. KTTV; midnight KCOP

Dr. Phil Families say a company that claimed to train dogs to detect glucose levels in diabetics was a scam. (N) 3 p.m. KCBS

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Matthew McConaughey (“Sing”); Kings of Leon perform. (N) 3 p.m. KNBC

The Real Jussie Smollett (“Empire”); Sabrina Britt, Asia Saffold, Danielle Kendricks and Kila Reynolds. (N) 3 p.m. KTTV

Tavis Smiley Justice Townhall: Cleveland. (Part 2 of 2) (N) 11 p.m. KOCE

Charlie Rose (N) 11 p.m. KVCR; 11:30 p.m. KOCE

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah Michael K. Williams. (N) 11 p.m. Comedy Central

Conan Keegan-Michael Key; the cast of “People of Earth,” including Ana Gasteyer and Ken Hall. (N) 11 p.m. TBS

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Arnold Schwarzenegger; Elle Fanning; Childish Gambino. (N) 11:34 p.m. KNBC

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Neil Patrick Harris; Megan Mullally. (N) 11:35 p.m. KCBS

Jimmy Kimmel Live David Spade; Metallica performs. (N) 11:35 p.m. KABC

The Late Late Show With James Corden Natalie Portman; Annette Bening; Neil Diamond performs. (N) 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Seth Meyers Mindy Kaling; Eric McCormack; Joe Pera; Dave Lombardo. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 12:37 a.m. KABC

Last Call With Carson Daly Eric McCormack; Holy Ghost!; Morten Tyldum. (N) 1:38 a.m. KNBC

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TV listings for the week of Dec 11 - 17, 2016 in PDF format

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