Those in search of pure escapism could do worse than “Always at The Carlyle” (9 p.m., Starz), directed by Matthew Miele (“Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s”). New York’s Carlyle hotel was a home away from home to the rich and famous long before the late Robin Leach created his tabloid show.
This glossy documentary includes observations from stars both living and dead, including Wes Anderson, Alan Cumming, George Clooney, Jeff Goldblum, Anjelica Huston, Naomi Campbell, Jon Hamm, Anthony Bourdain and Elaine Stritch.
Along the way we learn that it has hosted leaders from Churchill to Kennedy to Clinton and that royals have made it their headquarters when visiting New York.
In a bit of dish emblematic of the film’s depth (or lack thereof) Piers Morgan tells us that Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs once shared an elevator at the Carlyle. We never learn what they said, who got off first or pushed what buttons, but it is described as an elevator ride for the ages!
Some may find it comforting to know that a place of luxurious old school elegance has endured. As Hamm (“Mad Men”) observes, you really feel like you’ve “arrived” after you’ve stayed at The Carlyle. Then he admits he’s never had the pleasure.
For the record, Tommy Rowles, the bartender at the hotel’s Bemelmans Bar for 53 years, died just last month. One of the first people he served was President Harry Truman, who ordered bourbon. Now you know!
— “Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark) features Vince Gill, Kellie Pickler and Michael W. Smith, who share Christmas stories about their youth and their families as well as seasonal musical performances.
— A true-crime mystery wrapped in a story about racism, “Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland” (10 p.m., HBO, TV-MA) recalls the 2015 death of a Chicago activist who was arrested for a traffic infraction in a small Texas town and found hanging in her cell three days later.
— The Acorn streaming service imports “Finding Joy,” the most popular comedy to debut in Ireland in 2018. Actress Amy Huberman stars in the title role as a just-dumped single woman who makes a series of unfortunate decisions. The pilot episode offers forced humor, including dog feces and the chance for Joy to become the new “it” girl of a celebrity website.
— Mandy Moore explores her family tree as “Who Do You Think You Are?” (10 p.m., TLC, TV-PG) returns for a 10th season that will feature Josh Duhamel, Matthew Morrison and Regina King.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— The top 10 perform on “The Voice” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
— A news van crash turns the first-responders into the story on “9-1-1” (9 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14).
— Elena receives a shock on her 15th birthday on “My Brilliant Friend” (9 p.m., HBO, TV-MA).
— Howie Mandel hosts “Deal or No Deal” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
— Shaun treats travelers whose infection could spread beyond the airport on “The Good Doctor” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
— Panic creeps in on “Nightflyers” (10 p.m., Syfy, TV-MA).
CULT CHOICE
Paul Robeson stars as a dock worker-turned-opera star who discovers his African roots in the 1936 British musical drama “Song of Freedom” (4:30 p.m., TCM). One of the first commercial films to depict a black character as a three-dimensional human being and not a comic stereotype.
SERIES NOTES
Marty has a new girlfriend on “The Neighborhood” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … Conrad’s dad annoys Bell on “The Resident” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14) … Let it glow on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) … Felicity sets the agenda on “Arrow” (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) … Cooper’s fame makes everybody a yes man on “Happy Together” (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).
Two helpings of “The Big Bang Theory” (9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) … Sara plays referee on “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) … Mind over matter on “Bull” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
LATE NIGHT
“The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” tackles self-deportation (11 p.m., Comedy Central) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Margot Robbie, Elsie Fisher and Hootie & the Blowfish on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC).
Michael Douglas, Rufus Wainwright and Nikki Glaspie visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Tom Felton and LadyGang appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS).
(Kevin McDonough can be reached at [email protected].)
