Week In Sloth: “Luther,” “James May’s Toy Stories,” “Billboard’s Women In Music 2015”

\ Dec 17, 2015

3 min read

Thursday 17

“The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball” (KWBQ-19 7pm) Traditionally, this pop-saturated, media-constructed concert is your best place to catch Miley Cyrus doing something unspeakable with a giant candy cane. But it’s all about Demi Lovato, The Weeknd and 5 Seconds of Summer this year.

“Luther” (BBC America 7pm) Idris Elba returns as brilliant British detective John Luther in this one-off return to the series that made him famous.

“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2015” (KOAT-7 8:30pm) This year’s lineup includes Bradley Cooper, Amy Schumer, Tracy Morgan, Bernie Sanders and Ronda Rousey. Oops. I think you meant Holly Holm there, Barbara.

“Funniest Commercials of the Year 2015” (Spike 8pm) Yeah, I can think of better ways to waste an hour of my life. Hopefully.

Friday 18

“Billboard’s Women in Music 2015” (Lifetime 6pm) Lady Gaga is honored as Billboard’s Woman of the Year. But Demi Lovato sneaks in anyway as one of the performers.

“A Home for the Holidays” (KRQE-13 8pm) A mere three weeks after trying to guilt us into adopting pets with FOX’ “All-Star Celebrity Dog Rescue” special, Hollywood types try to guilt us into adopting actual children. Hey, if Kaley Cuoco couldn’t talk me into getting a dog, how far do you think LL Cool J is gonna get tonight?

“The Soup” (E! 11pm) After an amazing 11 years on the air, E!’s sarcastic look at reality TV goes off the air with a one-hour special.

Saturday 19

New Hampshire: The Democratic Debate (KOAT-7 7pm) Just the thing to cuddle up and watch the Saturday before Christmas.

“Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert” (AMC 7pm) Performers include Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Kevin Bacon, Aloe Blacc, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Peter Franpton, Kris Kristofferson and more. I mean, who doesn’t prefer a Kevin Bacon cover to the John Lennon original?

Sunday 20

“The 64th Annual Miss Universe Pageant” (KASA-2 6pm) I like to check in once a year and confirm this is still a thing. … Yup. Still a thing.

Santa’s Little Helper (USA 6pm) A fast-talking businessman (pro wrestler Mike “The Miz” Mizanin) is somehow thrown into a tough competition to become Santa’s head elf.

Monday 21

“James May’s Toy Stories” (BBC America 7pm) Former “Top Gear” host James May plays with toys in the most extreme ways possible. On tonight’s premiere, for example, he tries to build a full-sized, fully functioning motorcycle out of an Erector Set. Or as they call it in England, a Meccano Set.