Giving back
Who needs instruments when you've got the holiday spirit — and some of the best pipes in the business? "Pentatonix Christmas Special" showcases the quintet harmonizing with Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and more. The special is the least the group can do for the network that put it on the map through "The Sing-Off."
7 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11
Dirty dancing
"Star," Lee Daniels' follow-up to "Empire," doesn't officially premiere until January, but Fox is presenting the first episode this month, allowing the series a fighting chance to make the top 10 list of worst shows of both 2016 and '17. Jude Demorest plays an ambitious young singer busy assembling a girl group, at least when she's not stabbing a man nearly to death or seducing a potential manager in a strip joint. Despite the presence of Queen Latifah, this is pure trash — right down to the overacting and cringe-worthy dialogue. "Showgirls," the series' kissing cousin, eventually became a cult classic. "Star" could follow suit, but don't bet on it.
8 p.m., KMSP, Ch. 9
Lend me your ear
"Secrets of the Dead: Van Gogh's Ear" won't do much for art lovers, but those looking for a juicy mystery without blood (well, not much, anyway) will enjoy following amateur sleuth Bernadette Murphy as she tries to figure out just why Vincent Van Gogh mutilated himself — and just how big a hunk of his ear he actually sliced off.
9 p.m., TPT, Ch. 2
Neal Justin
