TV This Week, Dec. 21-27: ‘Doctor Who: Last Christmas’ and more

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TV listings for the week of Dec. 21 - 27, 2014 in PDF format

This week’s TV Movies

SUNDAY

Sing along with Julie Andrews and company — as if you weren’t already — as a tune-filled 1965 classic becomes “The Sound of Music Sing-Along.” 7 p.m. ABC

Noted thespians talk shop in the new series “Variety Studio: Actors on Actors.” With Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, et al. 7 p.m. KOCE

There are king-size beds, and then there are king-size beds, as you will see in the new special “Tales From the Royal Bedchamber.” 8 p.m. KOCE

Bobby Flay is your guide to exceptional eateries in “Top 10 Restaurants With Food Network Magazine.” 9 p.m. Food Network

“The Quest for Gold” explores mankind’s love affair with that malleable mineral. 9 p.m. National Geographic Channel

“The Affair” is over, for now. But this drama ends its first season already renewed for a second. With Dominic West and Ruth Wilson. 10 p.m. Showtime

MONDAY

It’s lights out on the season finale of “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” 8 p.m. ABC

Oscar worthy? Mark Ruffalo (“Foxcatcher”) and J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”) are among the potential nominees featured on a new “Hollywood Sessions.” 8 p.m. Epix

“ET Presents: New Kids — Then and Now” catches up with the boy band from Boston that’s still “hangin’ tough” after all these years. 8 p.m. TVGN

You mad, bro? Charlie Sheen’s “Anger Management” airs its final episodes. 10 and 10:30 p.m. FX

TUESDAY

Speaking of boy bands, Harry Styles and company come to a small screen near you in “One Direction: The TV Special.” 8 p.m. NBC

Jerusalem and Mecca are the next stops in new episodes of “Sacred Journeys With Bruce Feiler.” 8 and 9 p.m. KOCE

Hoping that nothing happens in the remaining week that might have merited a mention, host Robin Roberts looks back at “The Year: 2014.” 9 p.m. ABC

“The Line” forms here in this new game show that includes wacky challenges for contestants queued up to compete in a trivia quiz. 9 and 10 p.m. GSN

WEDNESDAY

‘Tis the day before Christmas, and all through the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, it’s the “55th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration.” 3 p.m. KOCE

A holiday edition of “Too Cute!” stuffs your stocking with “aww”-inspiring clips of puppies, kitties and other adorable critters. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m. Animal Planet

We must have been really good this year, because we’re getting not one but two marathons of 1983’s “A Christmas Story.” 7 p.m. TNT; 8 p.m. TBS

Financial ruin, attempted suicide, etc.? “It’s a Wonderful Life” all right. James Stewart stars in Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday fable. 8 p.m. NBC

Late-night religious observances include “Christmas Eve Mass” from Rome, and “Christmas at the Cathedral” from Sioux Falls, S.D. 11:34 p.m. NBC; 11:35 p.m. CBS

THURSDAY

If you like cracklin’ fires and Christmas tunes, you’ll love a “Yule Log” with these specials that turn your TV into a blazing hearth. 6 a.m. KTLA; 6 a.m. KCAL

“Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” is just like the old “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” — but now with 100% more “Frozen.” 9 a.m. ABC

Deck those halls with “NBA Basketball” as the Knicks play the Wizards, the Thunder faces the Spurs, the Cavs meet the Heat, and the Lakers battle the Bulls. 9 a.m. ESPN; 11:30 a.m. ABC; 2 p.m. ABC; 5 p.m. TNT

Vanessa Redgrave, narrator of the British drama “Call the Midwife,” gets some actual face time in the “Call the Midwife Holiday Special.” 8 p.m. KOCE

“Doctor Who” presents its annual Christmas episode, with the aptly named Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead”) guest starring as a certain fat man in a Santa suit. 9 p.m. BBC America

Freddie and Stuart (Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi) don their gay apparel for a “Vicious Holiday Special.” 9:30 p.m. KOCE

FRIDAY

Hilarity ensues in “Now That’s Funny! On Set With TV’s Hottest Comedies: A Paley Center for Media Special” hosted by Aisha Tyler. 8 p.m. CBS

The new special “The Next Mega Tsunami” ponders the possibility of a seismically spawned sea wave even more devastating than the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. 9 p.m. National Geographic Channel

Still blushing? The new spinoff “Say Yes to the Dress: Since the Big Day” catches up with brides featured on the reality series. 9 p.m. TLC

SATURDAY

Ralph Fiennes is your concierge at “The Grand Budapest Hotel” in Wes Anderson’s delightful 2014 romp. Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Saoirse Ronan and Tilda Swinton also star. 8 p.m. HBO

If “A Wife’s Nightmare” sounds like it should be the title of a Lifetime TV movie … it is! Jennifer Beals stars. 8 p.m. Lifetime

The new documentary “Michael Sam” gets up close and personal with the first openly gay football player to participate in an NFL draft. 9 p.m. OWN