Independent Lens: The Calling
A two-part special profiles seven young clergy—of Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. Following them through years of training to their first steps into public life, the documentary provides a cross-section view of various issues, including the Catholic Church’s response to sexual-abuse scandals, the emergence of female leaders in African-American churches, and Islam’s struggle to establish an American identity. Monday–Tuesday, Dec. 20–21, at 9 p.m., PBS; check local listings
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Masterpiece: Framed
A real-life incident during World War II inspired this warmhearted drama, in which leaky plumbing at London’s National Gallery compels the curator to hide the museum’s art treasures near a Welsh village—only to have the cache discovered by local schoolchildren. Trevor Eve stars in this adaptation of Frank Cottrell Boyce’s award-winning children’s novel, in which children teach a connoisseur the true value of art. Sunday, Dec. 26, at 9 p.m., PBS; check local listings
The 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors
Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, Broadway composer Jerry Herman, and choreographer Bill T. Jones are honored in ceremonies taped Dec. 5 in Washington before an audience including the president and first lady. Performers and presenters include Edward Albee, Willie Nelson, Angela Lansbury, Chris Rock, and Barbara Walters; Caroline Kennedy returns as host. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at 9 p.m., CBS
Episodes
This savagely satirical new series pokes wicked fun at Hollywood cynicism and mendacity. Green Wing’s Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig star as the married co-creators of a successful British sitcom who come to L.A. to work on its American version, only to find themselves changing it beyond recognition to suit the talents of the actor they’ve been saddled with. Matt LeBlanc of Friends is the troublesome star, clearly having a good time playing himself as a conceited conniver. Sunday, Jan. 9, at 9:30 p.m., Showtime
Other highlights
American Masters: Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould
A new profile of the great classical pianist includes previously unseen footage and interviews with his loved ones. Monday, Dec. 27, at 9 p.m., PBS; check local listings
The Closer
In the two-part season finale, an immigrant family’s deadly feud erupts on Christmas Eve. Mondays, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, at 9 p.m., TNT
Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On
At Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the Divine Miss M delivers gaudy production numbers and bawdy jokes. Friday, Dec. 31, at 9 p.m., HBO
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Mermaiding: the underwater subculture on the riseUnder the Radar Cosplay meets fitness in an escapist fin-omenon that's making waves around the world
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Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieveIN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters
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