Bona fide cool guy Bill Murray has been spending some time in Cincinnati lately as his son serves as assistant coach to the undefeated Xavier men’s basketball team. The comedy legend seems to pop up at a lot of normal places around the world — as well-documented on the Internet — from bachelor parties and engagement photo shoots to college keggers and karaoke bars (not just in Lost in Translation).
With Murray always crashing the party, it’s only fitting that we kick off the holiday season by crashing one of his. A Very Murray Christmas (Friday, Netflix) features all the hallmarks of a holiday special: yuletide carols, an all-star director (Sofia Coppola), a poorly timed blizzard and stars like George Clooney, Chris Rock, Amy Poehler and Miley Cyrus. OK, obviously this is not your standard Christmas spectacular — it’s Bill Murray! So cozy up with this weird bit of holiday cheer and hunker down with the Murricane.
WEDNESDAY 02
Empire (9 p.m., Fox) – In the final episode of 2015, Cookie organizes a show at the prison where she spent 17 years while Lucious makes a wild play that could change everything.
Modern Family (9 p.m., ABC) – After bidding at a school auction, Gloria wins a family therapy session with a self-help guru who encourages people to clean out their emotional “junk drawers.” At the seminar, Jay resists opening up, Mitch and Cam try to play it cool and Claire and Phil get competitive.
Blackish (9:30 p.m., ABC) – When the ex-wife (Wanda Sykes) of the ad agency’s founding partner takes control of half the company, her first order of business is getting rid of Charlie.
The League (10 p.m., FXX) – Kevin must run the league analog-style when the guys are kicked off their site.
Top Chef (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., Bravo) – Season 13 plants roots in California as 17 chefs compete for the title. And in another new episode at its regular time at 10 p.m. Thursday, the remaining chefs open pop-up eateries that represent various L.A. neighborhoods.
THURSDAY 03
The Wiz Live! (8 p.m., NBC) – This modernized, soulful retelling of The Wizard of Oz — based on the 1975 Broadway musical and 1978 cult film — stars Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo, Common, Mary J. Blige and David Alan Grier and Cirque du Soleil performers.
Nathan for You (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Nathan tries to create a chip-free nail polish concept and works on his biggest personality flaw.
FRIDAY 04
America’s Next Top Model (Series Finale, 9 p.m., The CW) – Smize the tears away — after 22 cycles (and don’t you dare call them seasons), Ty Ty is ending it.
The Knick (10 p.m., Cinemax) – Thackery tests out a new addiction hypothesis and gives Abby a nose job as Brockhurst comes looking for the twins.
SATURDAY 05
Saturday Night Live (11:30 p.m., NBC) – Ryan Gosling hosts; Leon Bridges performs.
SUNDAY 06
The Leftovers (Season Finale, 9 p.m., HBO) – Kevin tells John the truth about what happened the night Evie disappeared. And you know shit’s about to go down in Miracle as the fourth anniversary of The Departure approaches.
MONDAY 07
Fargo (10 p.m., FX) – Ed and Peggy complete their plan at the motel; Hanzee returns to the Gerhardts; Lou gets caught up in jurisdictional politics.
TUESDAY 08
Fresh Off the Boat (8:30 p.m., ABC) – Louis and Jessica rebrand Santa as a scientist with several post-grad degrees who loves his mother.
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (10 p.m., CBS) – Let the self-loathing commence!
CONTACT JAC KERN: [email protected]
