TV top picks
7 p.m. on CBS Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The long-beloved “Animagic” tale of the most famous reindeer of all offers a thoughtful lesson about discrimination. Young Rudolph is teased by the other reindeer and excluded from their games because his nose is different. His taunters sing a different tune, though, when Rudolph uses the trait to keep Christmas from being canceled. Burl Ives supplies the voice of Sam the Snowman, who narrates the story and renders the title song (of course) plus “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”
8 p.m. on NBC This Is Us
Children grow so fast — and particularly on this show, as the new episode “Number Three” confirms again. Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) takes the teenage Randall (Niles Fitch) to check out several colleges, and what transpires explains much about the special bond between the two. In the present day, the adult Randall (Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown) has to make a tough decision, as does wife Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson).
8 p.m. on A&E Who Killed Tupac?
In the new episode “East Coast Vs West Coast,” famed civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and his team explore the provocative theory that the rap rivalry between East and West Coast musicians sparked the series of events that eventually led to the murder of Tupac Shakur. Among the most explosive questions is whether superstars Biggie Smalls and P. Diddy were involved. Meanwhile, a key witness delivers some startling information.
8 p.m. on NGEO The Long Road Home
Jassim al-Lani (Darius Homayoun), a devout Muslim, ends his support of the militia behind the ambush after a close friend is murdered in the new episode “The Choice.” Tensions spike inside the house as the insurgents outside change tactics, forcing Aguero (E.J. Bonilla) to make an impossible choice that will have long-term repercussions. Back at Fort Hood, LeAnn and Gina (Sarah Wayne Callies, Kate Bosworth) steel themselves to deliver a grim report on casualties to family members.
9 p.m. on CBS The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
The lingerie models have been going to exotic locations for some recent editions of this annual special, and that’s certainly the case with this newest one that takes them to Shanghai, China. Seen walking the pink carpet before they take to the runway, the participants again include Lais Ribeiro (who wears the $2 million Fantasy Bra), Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Martha Hunt and Taylor Hill. Performances by music superstars also are featured.