What’s Worth Watching: ‘Inside the Actors Studio’, ‘Instant Xmas Carol’, ‘Code Black’, ‘Undercover Boss’ and more for Wednesday, December 21
Inside the Actors Studio (8/7c, Bravo): Every so often, Bravo reminds us of the channel’s roots as an arts and culture destination—before the housewives took over. The latest edition of James Lipton’s celebrity hagiography features Jessica Chastain (Miss Sloane), reflecting on a career that includes The Help, Interstellar and Zero Dark Thirty, which she describes as the worst experience of her life. The explanation should be fascinating.
Surprise! Instant Xmas Carol (10/9c, TBS): At this point in the holiday season, the sight and sound of carolers are likely to make you either full of glee or proe to flee. This comedic musical special sends celebrities into the field to ambush unsuspecting listeners with Christmas cheer, whether they like it or not. Among the offbeat crooners: Conan O’Brien, Rashida Jones, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Jane Lynch, Ludacris and T-Pain.
Code Black (10/9c, CBS): What’s this, an actual original episode of a scripted network series mere days before Christmas? Not that the holidays are on these doctors’ minds: not with a city-wide blackout complicating the latest code black, while only gets worse when Elliot (Noah Gray-Cabey) and Heather (Jillian Murray) get stuck in an elevator with an expectant mother going into labor. By comparison, a manger’s looking good.
Inside Wednesday TV: CBS’s Undercover Boss (8/7c) returns with back-to-back episodes. The first episode features the CEO of Build-a-Bear Workshop learning what it means for some assembly to be required, and the second hour sends the mayor of Gary, Indiana into the ranks of the city’s municipal employees. … Veep Emmy winner Tony Hale stars in a new variety special from one of downtown Manhattan’s most hip cabaret spaces. Joe’s Pub Presents: A Holiday Special (10/9c, IFC) features such fringe faves as Bridget Everett, Jen Kirkman and Nick Thune in an eclectic mix of music and comedy.
