What to watch SUNDAY
Dec. 5, 2021
All times Central. Start times can vary based on cable/satellite provider. Confirm times on your on-screen guide.
College Football Playoff Selection Show ESPN, 11 a.m. Live
The Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl playoff semifinal matchups for New Year’s Eve are revealed with the release of the selection committee’s final rankings.
Something’s Coming: West Side Story — A Special Edition of 20/20
ABC, 6 p.m. Sixty years after the original Oscar winner, director Steven Spielberg and costar Rita Moreno talk about the upcoming singing, dancing retelling of the famed Romeo and Juliet tale set in 1950s New York City, with Ansel Elgort as star-crossed lover Tony, opposite Rachel Zegler’s Maria.
Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday
Hallmark Channel, 7 p.m. Original Film Jennifer and Meg Swift (Kimberly WilliamsPaisley and Ashley Williams) are sisters who couldn’t be closer despite living in different cities. Jennifer runs a successful restaurant in Salt Lake City, and Meg lives in their hometown of Hazelwood. Jennifer and her son return home to Hazelwood for the holiday, where they wish for one more Christmas at the Madison — the local old movie theater owned by their Uncle Dave (Kevin Nealon). With help from Eric (Mark Deklin), Jennifer’s former high school debate team rival, they just might pull off one last encore.
My Favorite Christmas Melody
Lifetime, 7 p.m. Original Film Once a promising singer-songwriter, Abby (Mya) now finds herself writing uninspired jingles for commercials. As she heads home for the holidays, she’s enlisted by the local high school music teacher to help save the school arts program. In the process,
Abby rediscovers her voice and regains the confidence to go after her dreams, and she lets the possibility of love in, too. Rainbow Sun Francks also stars.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting CBS, 7:30 p.m.
LL Cool J hosts this special presentation of the National Christmas Tree official lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C. Billy Porter, Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’, Kristin Chenoweth, Maren Morris and Patti LaBelle are among the performers singing holiday favorites.
Small Town Christmas
UPtv, 8 p.m. New Series In each episode of this four-part docuseries, host Megan Alexander, Inside Edition’s national correspondent, takes viewers to a different small town around the country. Through food, drink, music, entertainment and faith, the episodes highlight local businesses and communities that are making Christmas special in their own unique ways. Tonight’s premiere installment visits Branson, Missouri.
The 23rd Annual A Home for the Holidays at The Grove CBS, 8:30 p.m.
The entertainment special features uplifting stories of adoption from foster care and raises
awareness of this important social issue.
The inspirational stories of these American
families are enhanced by some of today’s top musical artists performing from The Grove in Los Angeles.
Mr. A & Mr. M: The Story of A&M Records
EPIX, 9 p.m. New Miniseries The producers behind EPIX’s superb 2020 music docuseries Laurel Canyon bring a similar in-depth approach to this two-part series that looks at the history of A&M Records, the famed recording label started by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss that brought a distinct, artist-focused philosophy to handling its talent roster that included Joe Cocker, Janet Jackson, The Police, Carole King and many other big music names. As Laurel Canyon did, this series offers an immersive experience of time and place thanks to rare archival footage, audio-only interviews with artists and, of course, great tunes. The series concludes next Sunday.
The Rookie ABC, 9 p.m.
In “Hit and Run,” the team goes on a city-wide hunt for an individual who is threatening a mass casualty event. Meanwhile, Tim’s sister Genny shows up unannounced with some surprising news, and Lopez continues her inner struggle over Wesley’s deal with Elijah and tries to come up with a plan to get them out of it.