Chuck Barney’s TV picks for this week

Kennedy Center honors on Tuesday; football on Thursday.

Don’t miss

New Year’s Eve celebrations — There’s no shame in staying home to party in front of your TV, as long as you vacuum up the confetti by February. The networks again have stocked the night with star-studded specials. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ EveWith Ryan Seacrest” (8 p.m. Thursday, ABC) has Carrie Underwood, Demi Lovato, One Direction and others ringing in 2016. Meanwhile, the talent on “Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution” (8 p.m., Fox) includes Timbaland, Yazz and Jussie Smollett. Then there’s “New Year’s Eve Live” (9 p.m., CNN), hosted by Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin, and “New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly” (10 p.m., NBC).

SUNDAY:

In the Season 2 finale of “The Librarians,” Prospero (Richard Cox) gains renewed magic that wreaks havoc on the world’s technology. That sends Flynn (Noah Wyle) and Baird (Rebecca Romijn) traveling back in time to stop him. 8 p.m., TNT.

“Heroin: Cape Cod, USA” is a searing new documentary that examines the drug epidemic plaguing this idyllic setting. The film follows eight addicts, all in their 20s, as they search for their next high. 9 p.m., HBO.

Filmmaker George Lucas, musician Carole King, actors Rita Moreno and Cicely Tyson and conductor Seiji Ozawa make up the roster of extraordinary recipients

MONDAY:

TUESDAY:

at the 38th annual “Kennedy Center Honors.” Stephen Colbert is our host for the evening. 9 p.m., CBS.

“I Get That a Lot” returns as more celebrities work overtime to pull pranks on people. Highlights include Alex Trebek manning the information desk at a library and Kristin Chenoweth working as a waitress at a New York diner. 8 p.m., CBS.

Are you ready for some football? Year 2 of the college playoffs unfolds today with the semifinal matchups. Top-seeded Clemson takes on No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl (1 p.m., 4 p.m. ET, ESPN), then No. 2 Alabama meets No. 3 Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl (5 p.m., 8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

WEDNESDAY:

THURSDAY:

FRIDAY:

Prepare to be dazzled. This year’s “HGTV Dream Home” is a waterfront paradise on Merritt Island, Fla., that will offer its residents a sensational coastal experience. Viewers will have a chance to win it. 8 p.m., HGTV.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, respectively, in “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride.” Only now our heroes find themselves in 1890s London for this 90-minute standalone special that comes immersed in gothic horror. 9 p.m., PBS.

FRIDAY:

FRIDAY:

“The Rap Game” is a new reality series that has music producer Jermaine Dupri working to mold five emerging hip-hop artists, ages 12 to 16. Guest mentors include Usher and Ludacris. 10 p.m., Lifetime.

SATURDAY:

Season 1 of “Ash vs Evil Dead” comes to an end tonight, and only one thing is certain: There will be blood. Lots of it. 9 p.m., Starz.