TV This Week, Dec. 27-Jan. 2: ‘Sherlock’ on ‘Masterpiece Mystery!’ and more

SUNDAY

It doesn’t get much more star-studded than two new editions of “Variety Studio: Actors on Actors.” 6 and 7 p.m. KOCE

They’ll be baking ‘em, eating ‘em and perhaps even throwing ‘em in the new competition series “Cupcake Wars Kids.” 9 p.m. Food Network

“The House Sitter” didn’t feed the cat or water the plants, and that’s not the worst of it, in this new thriller. 9 p.m. Lifetime

MONDAY

See who was paying attention in Sunday school when youngsters meet in Cincinnati to compete in the “Bible Bowl.” 8 p.m. TLC

The documentary “Heroin: Cape Cod, USA” investigates the heroin epidemic that is vexing small-town America. 9 p.m. HBO

See what some say a certain 16th-century French seer had to say about Sept. 11, tsunamis, etc., in “Nostradamus: 21st Century Prophecies Revealed.” 9 p.m. History Channel

“Independent Lens” profiles a young student and his teacher, both the sons of migrant farm workers, in the new doc “East of Salinas.” 10 p.m. KOCE

TUESDAY

All the news that’s fit to recap will be recapped in “All the Best, All the Worst 2015.” 6 and 9 p.m. CNN

Carole King, Cicely Tyson, Rita Moreno, Seiji Ozawa and George Lucas collect kudos at “The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors” hosted by Stephen Colbert. 9 p.m. CBS

No duh! Comics weigh in on viral videos in the new series “Almost Genius.” 10 p.m. Tru TV

WEDNESDAY

Have baton, will travel: Gael Garcia Bernal is back for a second season of the classical music-themed drama “Mozart in the Jungle.” Any time, Amazon

Kristin Chenoweth, Rita Ora, Aaron Rodgers and Alex Trebeck are among the famous faces pretending they’re not on a new “I Get That a Lot.” 8 p.m. CBS

President Obama hitches a ride with Jerry Seinfeld on the return of the comic’s online series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” 8:30 p.m. Crackle

You are what you eat, and author Michael Pollan wants you to get it right in the new special “In Defense of Food.” 9 p.m. KOCE

How efficient are they? Why, some “Extreme Time Cheaters” will even wash their dishes while taking a shower in this new reality series. 9 p.m. TLC

People-watching pays off in the new game show “Bet on Me.” 10 p.m. TLC

THURSDAY

Oklahoma challenges Clemson in the “Orange Bowl” and Michigan State battles Alabama in the “Cotton Bowl,” with the winners of each game facing off next month for the college football national championship. 1 and 5 p.m. ESPN

TV’s oddest couple is back for “New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin.” 5 and 10:05 p.m. CNN

“Today’s” Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb raise their glasses for “A Toast to 2015!” Then, the festivities continue with “NBC’s New Year’s Eve Game Night With Andy Cohen,” and “NBC’s New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly.” 8, 10 and 11:30 p.m. NBC

The party barely stops with “Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2016” and the late-night edition of same. With co-hosts Jenny McCarthy and Fergie. 8 and 11:30 p.m. ABC

“Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution” is a hip-hop heavy celebration with performers including “Empire’s” Jussie Smollett and Yazz. 8 and 11 p.m. Fox

Ooh la la! The New York Philharmonic puts a Parisian twist on New Year’s Eve on a new “Live From Lincoln Center.” 8 p.m. KOCE

FRIDAY

Bob Eubanks and Stephanie Edwards, TV’s least odd couple, will finally go their separate ways after they co-host local coverage of “The 127th Tournament of Roses Parade.” 8 a.m. KTLA; other coverage: 8 a.m. NBC, ABC, Hallmark Channel, HGTV

Julie Andrews is mistress of ceremonies for “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2016” on a new “Great Performances.” 7:30 p.m. KOCE

Holmes and Watson (Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman) get back to where they once belonged — the 19th century — in the new one-off episode “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride” on “Masterpiece Mystery!” 9 p.m. KOCE

Braniacs take part in practical challenges in the new series “Smartest Guy in the Room.” 10 and 10:30 p.m. History Channel

They hip-hop and they won’t stop till they make it big in “The Rap Game” in this new unscripted series. 10 p.m. Lifetime

SATURDAY

Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Richard Gere and Dev Patel check into “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” in this 2015 sequel to the 2012 rom-com. 8 p.m. HBO

“Don’t Wake Mommy” is pretty much always good advice, but especially so in this new thriller. With Ashley Bell, Sara Rue and Denise Crosby. 8 p.m. Lifetime

Luke Perry and Emmanuelle Vaugier find romance on a dude ranch in the TV movie “Love in Paradise.” 9 p.m. Hallmark Channel

Of man and motorcycle: The new documentary “Being Evel” salutes jump-suited daredevil Evel Knievel. 9 p.m. History Channel

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TV listings for the week of Dec. 27, 2015 - Jan. 2, 2016 in PDF format

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