WWE Tribute to the Troops
Tuesday 9pm, TNT
When professional wrestlers and America’s armed forces come together, the first thing that comes to my mind is that episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” where the boys decide to wrestle for the troops, and Frank—as his garbage-eating alter-ego The Trash Man—ends the whole thing by mortally wounding the Taliban-outfitted Rickety Cricket. Lord knows how you top that, but this annual special will try by hearkening back to Bob Hope’s USO days with a star-studded variety show. In addition to WWE wrasslin’, the special will feature musical performances by Mary J. Blige and Nickelback, as well as videotaped messages to the troops from stars like Matthew McConaughey, Robin Williams, The Muppets, and Nicole Kidman. On a wrestling program. Amazing.
"Christmas in Washington"
Friday 8pm, TNT
This holiday concert has a little something for everyone in the family. Conan O’Brien hosts, which should make the hipsters happy. Nu country fans will be pleased to see The Band Perry, and Jennifer Hudson is set to serve up some R&B and gospel sounds, while Cee Lo Green presents a decidedly flashier dose of hackneyed urban pop. And kids, tweens, and teens everywhere will scream their little heads off for Victoria Justice (singer-songwriter and star of Nickelodeon’s “Victorious”) and the now-ubiquitous Justin Bieber. Now that he’s had his obligatory holiday CD, which includes that soul-killing cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”(Can we please move on to the latter-day Leif Garrett phase of his career?) And since it’s in Washington, the president and first lady will be on hand, which should spark some uncomfortable political discussions with mom and dad.
"Who’s Still Standing?"
Monday 8pm, NBC
Poor NBC is so deep in the ratings toilet that it has resorted to adapting an Israeli quiz show in which people drop down holes. But maybe it’s not so crazy after all. If they hit right, TV game shows can become huge phenomena (See: “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” “Deal or No Deal,” etc.). There is basically nothing else new on TV for the next two weeks. And Americans love watching people do stupid shit, so shooting them down holes for not knowing the answer to some trivia question could be a winning idea. Also in the plus column is the fact that Ben Bailey from “Cash Cab” is set to host, and he’s totally charming.