TV This Week, Dec. 14-20: ‘Ascension’ and more

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TV listings for the week of Dec. 14 - 20, 2014 in PDF format

This week’s TV Movies

SUNDAY

Be his guest: “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson takes you “Backstage With Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years.” 7 p.m. ABC

The 2014 comedy “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn” stars the late Robin Williams in one of his last roles. With Mila Kunis and Peter Dinklage. 8 p.m. Epix

“90210’s” AnnaLynne McCord will be the finest lady in “The Christmas Parade” in this TV movie. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel

See how the president’s residence gets decked out for the holidays in the new special “White House Christmas 2014.” 8 p.m. HGTV

“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014.” And who might they be? Scarlett Johansson and nine others. 9 p.m. ABC

Aaron Sorkin’s “The Newsroom” signs off after three fast-walking, fast-talking seasons. 9 p.m. HBO

MONDAY

Kids say the darndest things about climate change and more in the two-part special “Saving My Tomorrow.” 7 and 7:30 p.m. HBO

The singers sing, the votes are tabulated, and then a winner is announced on the two-night finale of “The Voice.” 8 p.m. NBC; also Tue., 9 p.m.

It’s back to Bluebell for Rachel Bilson with the season premiere of “Hart of Dixie.” 8 p.m. KTLA

You got your CMAs, CMTs and ACMs. And now, your ACCAs — a.k.a. the “American Country Countdown Awards.” 8 p.m. Fox

“Ascension” is the better part of valor in this three-night thriller about a super-secret space mission in the 1960s. With Brian Van Holt and “Battlestar Galactica’s” Tricia Helfer. 9 p.m. Syfy; also Tue.-Wed.

You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows: The season premiere of “Journey to Planet Earth” ponders how climate change might lead to global political upheaval. 10 p.m. KOCE

TUESDAY

“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” is a tune-filled animated retelling of the hit 2003 comedy. With Jim Parsons. 8 p.m. NBC

Follow the faithful to Lourdes, Mecca and other holy sites in the new six-part series “Sacred Journeys With Bruce Feiler.” 8 and 9 p.m. KOCE

Making the grade? A new “Nick News With Linda Ellerbee” surveys the state of public education. 8 p.m. Nickelodeon

That toddlin’ town! Chicago is the setting for the 30th season of “The Real World.” 10 p.m. MTV

WEDNESDAY

Who outwitted, outplayed and outlasted whom? Find out on the season finale of “Survivor.” 8 p.m. CBS

Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande and Miss Piggy make merry with Mssr. Bublé in “Michael Bublé’s Christmas in New York.” 8 p.m. NBC

Pro wrestling’s brutes and beauties salute our armed forces at the annual “WWE Tribute to the Troops.” 8 p.m. USA

“The Sing-Off” returns with a one-night-only, winner-take-all a cappella competition. Nick Lachey hosts. 9 p.m. NBC

THURSDAY

“The iHeartradio Jingle Ball 2014” boasts Iggy Azalea, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith and Taylor Swift, plus Pharrell Williams and whatever hat he’s wearing this week. 8 p.m. KTLA

Live from the waiting room at your dentist’s office, it’s the inaugural edition of the “People Magazine Awards.” 9 p.m. NBC

“White Collar” calls it quits after six seasons. With Matt Bomer. 9 p.m. USA

And now, a laugh from our sponsors with “Funniest Commercials of the Year 2014.” 10 p.m. Spike

Mssr. O’Brien brings some of his favorite remote sketches to primetime in the special “Conan to Go.” 10 p.m. TBS

Stephen Colbert delivers “The Colbert Report” one last time before joining the ranks of the unemployed. And good luck finding a job in this economy. 11:30 p.m. Comedy Central

FRIDAY

The finish line is in sight on the season finale of “The Amazing Race.” 8 p.m. CBS

As if Tinseltown needed any more tinsel, it’s “The Hollywood Christmas Parade.” 8 p.m. KTLA

Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey join Kermit and company for the cameo-filled 2014 romp “Muppets Most Wanted.” 8 p.m. Starz

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will lay the smack down on the holidays hosting “Christmas in Washington 2014.” 8 p.m. TNT

Jennifer Hudson and Katharine McPhee shine a light on adoptions in the 16th-annual “A Home for the Holidays.” 9 p.m. CBS

You are invited to spend “Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.” Well, not the actual holiday. 9 p.m. KOCE

SATURDAY

Brooding adolescents in a dystopian future? That doesn’t sound “Divergent” to us. Shailene Woodley and Kate Winslet star in this 2014 drama. 8 p.m. HBO

“True Blood’s” Kelly Overton stars in the new fantasy tale “Back to Christmas” and there’s a “Christmas Icetastrophe” brewing in that new disaster flick. 9 p.m. Ion; 9 p.m. Syfy

“American Hustle’s” Amy Adams takes a second turn hosting “Saturday Night Live.” 11:29 p.m. NBC