The battle continues
"Vikings" returns with Ivar the Boneless (Alex Hogh Andersen) discovering that being king isn't all it's cracked up to be, with a new threat from Duke Rollo (Clive Standen). Until "Game of Thrones" returns in April, this may be the bloodiest, most diabolical game on the small screen.
8 p.m., History Channel
A legendary night
Kulap Vilaysack has been making the rounds with "Origin Story," her emotionally draining documentary about a dark family secret. But the former Minnesotan comes from the world of comedy, which made her the perfect candidate to be the showrunner and co-executive producer of "A Legendary Christmas," an upbeat holiday special hosted by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. The guest list includes Awkwafina, Stevie Wonder and members of the Kardashian family.
9 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11
The ultimate test
College kids panicking about year-end finals may want to use their next study break to get some inspiration from 2003's "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story." Thora Birch earned an Emmy nomination for her role as a student who defied the odds to make it to the Ivy League. Minnesotan Kelly Lynch is terrific as her troubled mother.
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Neal Justin
