TV Top Picks This Week
DON’T MISS: New Year’s Eve specials -Thanks to the pandemic, many of us will be ringing in the new year -- and saying “good riddance” to 2020 -- from home. Fortunately, TV has plenty of festive specials lined up to keep us company, including “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021” (8 p.m. Jan. 31, ABC) from a closed Times Square. Jennifer Lopez headlines the performance list, which also includes Billy Porter, Cyndi Lauper and Jimmie Allen. Overseeing the events from the West Coast will be Ciara.
Also airing on Dec. 31:
“Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2021” (8 p.m., Fox): Former “Community” costars Ken Jeong and Joel McHale team up in Los Angeles to recap the highs and lows of 2020. Performers include Gloria Estefan, Ava Max, Gabby Barrett, Green Day, John Legend and LeAnn Rimes.
“New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” (8 p.m., CNN): Cooper and
Cohen celebrate in Times Square. The program features performances and appearances by, among others, John Mayer, Snoop Dogg, Patti LaBelle, Jimmy Buffett, Josh Groban, Desus & Mero, Aloe Blacc, Goo Goo Dolls and Jon Bon Jovi.
“United in Song: A Celebration of America’s Resilience” (8 p.m., PBS; Check local listings): Filmed at Mt. Vernon, this 90-minute special features musical performances by Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, YoYo Ma, Audra McDonald, Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell and more.
“NBC’s New Year’s Eve” (10 p.m., NBC): Carson Daly hosts, with Amber Ruffin, from New York City. Performers include Busta Rhymes, Jason Derulo, Kylie Minogue, Pentatonix, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Sting.
Other bets:
SUNDAY: Ready for another guessing game? Brace yourself for “The Masked Dancer.” Craig Robinson hosts a spinoff that features costumed celebrities busting some moves in front of panelists Ken Jeong, Paula Abdul, Brian Austin Green and Ashley Tisdale. (5 p.m. PT; 8 p.m., Fox).
MONDAY: A dozen young chefs face off in the latest edition of the “Kids Baking Championship.” In the opener, they create colorful brushstroke mini cheesecakes. (9 p.m., Food Network).
TUESDAY: “Laura Ingalls Wilder: American Masters” examines the life and work of the pioneer author who gave us the “Little House on the Prairie” book series. Included: interviews with stars from the TV show the books inspired, as well as experts, scholars and notable authors. (9 p.m., PBS).
WEDNESDAY: Here’s a very different kind of culinary competition: In “Best Leftovers Ever!” home cooks are challenged to transform tired leftovers into tantalizing -- and edible -- new dishes. Who knew, for example, that you could make a decadent pasta our of day-old fries? (Netflix).