— A Christmas Special by way of Britain, "The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition" (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) kicks off a new season. The hosts reflect the Americanization of this U.K. staple. Emma Bunton, once better known as Baby Spice of the Spice Girls, joins NFL veteran Anthony Adams, dubbed "Spice" by his friends.
The former defensive tackle played eight seasons for the 49ers and Bears. What he doesn’t know about the kitchen is the province of expert pastry chef Sherry Yard and Paul Hollywood, a veteran of "The Great British Baking Show."
While showing off Christmas-themed confections, 10 contestants vie for the title of "America’s Best Amateur Baker."
This isn’t the only kitchen-themed Christmas offering. Over on the Food Network, there’s "Kids Baking Championship" (8 p.m., TV-G), "Santa’s Baking Blizzard" (9 p.m.) and "Christmas Cookie Challenge" (10 p.m., r, TV-G).
ABC keeps the focus on holiday specials through the weekend, airing Christmas-themed episodes of "American Housewife" and "Fresh Off the Boat" tomorrow and "The Little Mermaid Live" on Saturday, and repeats its annual tradition of broadcasting the 1965 musical "The Sound of Music" on Sunday night.
— Speaking of U.K. imports, Netflix imports "Jack Whitehall: Christmas with My Father." This special features the impish British comedian ("Decline and Fall") sharing time with his remarkably old-fashioned dad, who co-starred with him in an earlier special, "Travels With My Father." The humor here relies almost entirely on his father’s ignorance of (and contempt for) most contemporary slang, technology and the social and sexual attitudes of the 21st century. Look for special guests Hugh Bonneville and Graham Norton to join the festivities.
— How do you work a "Christmas episode" into the schedule of a series set in the world of demonic possession? On "Evil" (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14), Kristen, David and Ben investigate a holiday novelty song that may be too catchy for its fans’ good, as signs point to online "influencers" with wicked intentions.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— The 2017 special "Olaf’s Frozen Adventure" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-G) features the gang from "Frozen."
— The Ravens and Jets meet in NFL football action (8 p.m., Fox, NFL).
— Cary Elwes and Robin Wright star in the 1987 generational touchstone "The Princess Bride" (8 p.m., BBC America, TV-PG).
— A busy choir director is distracted by a new recruit in the 2018 bauble "A Christmas Love Story" (8 p.m., Hallmark).
— A post-holiday gathering unravels when some Christmas gifts prove unreliable in the 2014 special "Toy Story That Time Forgot" (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-G).
— Naomi Rapace and Ethan Hawke star in the heist film "Stockholm" (9 p.m., Starz). The film had a very limited theatrical release in 2018.
— The Broadway show "Cats" inspires an animal print on "Project Runway" (9:30 p.m., Bravo, TV-PG).
— Celebrities break into song on the 2018 special "A Legendary Christmas With John and Chrissy" (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler headline the 1933 musical "Gold Diggers of 1933" (9:15 p.m., TCM) featuring eye-popping sets and dance numbers directed by Busby Berkeley. One number, "We’re in the Money," is also featured in the 1967 drama "Bonnie and Clyde."
SERIES NOTES
Anything but the pool on "Young Sheldon" (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … Prizes and surprises on "Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways" (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG) … Chuck presents a challenge on "Supernatural" (8 p.m., CW, TV-14) … Wade has a little crush on "The Unicorn" (8:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).
The holidays turn Bonnie blue on "Mom" (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) … Negotiations on "Superstore" (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14) … A monster taps into holiday cheer for evil ends on "Legacies" (9 p.m., CW, TV-14) … An early celebration on "Carol’s Second Act" (9:30 p.m., CBS, TV-PG) … Parental guilt on "Perfect Harmony" (9:30 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
John Lithgow is booked on "Conan" (11 p.m., TBS) … Mary Lynn Rajskub, Tim Dillon and King Bach appear on "Lights Out With David Spade" (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central).
Rep. Adam Schiff appears on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Ryan Reynolds, Niall Horan and Camila Cabello featuring DaBaby on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Awkwafina, Paul Walter Hauser, Mark Ronson and Anderson .Paak appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (11:35 p.m., ABC).
Keri Russell, Michelle Wolf and Coady Willis visit "Late Night With Seth Meyers" (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Jeff Goldblum guest-hosts Sam Rockwell and Henry Golding on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" (12:35 a.m., CBS).
