SUNDAY’S BEST PICKS
7 PM ( PARMT) (TVL) MOVIE Dashing in December Peter Porte (“Baby Daddy”) stars in this 2020 drama as work-obsessed New York financier Wyatt Burwall, who flies home for the Christmas holidays partly to try convincing his mother, Deb (Andie MacDowell), that it’s time to sell their family’s Colorado ranch. Deb is reluctant to agree, given the warm memories she has for the property, which also includes a Winter Wonderland attraction beloved by the locals. An unexpected romance with new ranch hand Heath Ramos (Juan Pablo Di Pace) may help change Wyatt’s mind, however. Caroline Harris and Carlos Sanz co-star. 7:30 PM ^ 1 J A Charlie Brown Christmas When Charlie Brown complains about the materialism he sees around him during the holidays, Lucy suggests he direct the Christmas pageant. He accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When his attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn the real meaning of Christmas in this charming animated classic — which is now one year short of its 50th anniversary. The memorable music score is by Vince Guaraldi.
8 PM G Pandora Jax (Priscilla Quintana) races to save the universe from complete destruction before the Ancients can render their final judgment in the Season 2 finale, “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know.” Meanwhile, Xander (Oliver Dench) pursues his own plans for redemption. Ben Radcliffe, Noah Huntley, Akshay Kumar, Tina Casciani and Vikash Bhai also star.
8 PM ( HALL) MOVIE Christmas Comes Twice Professional newscaster Cheryl (Tamera Mowry-Housley) has overcome the odds and achieved her career dreams in what was once a totally male-dominated field, yet as the holidays approach, she gives in to bittersweet memories of a guy who got away from her five years ago. When the traveling Christmas carnival comes to town, a ride on the carousel somehow spins her magically back to the same event five years earlier, offering her a second chance to grab the brass ring of romance. Michael Xavier and Sheryl Lee Ralph co-star.
8 PM ( CNN) CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa co-host this annual two-hour special that celebrates individuals who are committed to making the world a better place through their actions. In 2020, these acts of self-sacrifice and gallantry have taken place against the backdrop of a global pandemic as well as a growing battle for racial equality and justice. Nominees and honorees were selected from online submissions by CNN viewers.
8 PM ( SHO) Couples Therapy This relationship series reflects a real-world crisis with “The COVID Special,” an hour that sees couples therapist Dr. Orna Guralnik moving her therapy online as she and her patients come to grips with the realities of the COVID-19 shutdown, which makes in-person sessions a health risk. At the same time, though, Guralnik’s patients are struggling with a bizarre new reality that puts unfamiliar stresses on personal bonds that already are somewhat fragile.
8:20 PM & NFL Football A preview of the AFC Championship game could be on tap tonight in upstate New York, where Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills face perhaps their toughest test of the season against Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Big Ben seems to have discovered the fountain of youth at age 38 in leading the Steelers to an undefeated start, the 24-yearold Allen has vaulted himself into elite quarterback status and the Bills into first place in the AFC East.
10 PM ( FOOD) Buddy vs. Christmas Buddy Valastro closes out his short, four-episode first season with a finale called “Santa’s Workshop,” in which he competes with animatronics expert Lou Nasti, who has spent his entire career building Christmas-themed works of art. For his part, Buddy creates a holiday cake-making factory, but Lou builds Santa’s workshop, complete with a talking reindeer. 11 PM ( SHO) Moonbase 8 Season 1 of this loopy comedy draws to a close with a finale called “Beef,” in which the team of astronaut trainees must decide between abandoning their mission or standing their ground no matter what when an angry and determined group of ranchers threatens the “invaders” for invading their land. John C. Reilly, Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, M.C. Gainey and Jordan Rodrigues star.