CRITIC’S CORNER
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
CBS, 8 ET/PT As you watch this beloved animated special, stop to consider how much joy and complexity this ever-more-relevant classic rings out of Johnny Marks’ simple song as Rudolph and his misfit friends learn to embrace their eccentricities. Burl Ives narrates and gets the score’s best songs, Holly Jolly Christmas, Silver and Gold and, of course, the almost preternaturally catchy title tune. And for those who still remember Rudolph in his faded phase, this special — the longest-running of the annual holiday events — has now been restored to its original splendor, so the nose is red, the silver is silver, the gold is gold, and the Bumble is the proper shade of dirty white. Which is holly jolly, indeed.
THE FLASH
CW, 8 ET/PT CW’s DC-superhero crossover continues with Arrow (Stephen Amell), Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) and the Legends of Tomorrow coming to Central City to help Flash battle an alien invasion. All goes fairly well, until the visitors realize the problems Barry has caused with his Flashpoint time travel.
THIS IS US
NBC, 9 ET/PT Admit it: The moment Rebecca made William promise not to tell Randall she knew he was his father, you knew that secret was going to come out. It did, over Thanksgiving — sending Kate, Kevin and Randall off to their family’s cabin for some sibling time.