Star Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian thespian in a non-English series to win an outstanding lead actor Emmy in a non-English-speaking part. Now, Lee returns, toughened and radicalized by his first go at the deadly games, to take a chance at big bucks as Gi-hun, a.k.a. player 456. But, as the contender enters a second round of human juice-o-matic, he's not the naïve man in a tracksuit he once was. This time, he intends to end the brutal death-battles that reflect a world where humans will do almost anything for untold riches (although, perhaps, nowhere near the wealth of a Netflix CEO).
1. On Tuesday, Pope Francis will conduct the "Christmas Eve Mass" on NBC at 11:34 p.m. It has been a challenging year for the 87-year-old pontiff, who now attends functions in a wheelchair due to back and knee issues. The annual Mass attracts thousands to Vatican City in Rome at the height of its tourist season. Visitors gather to see and be blessed by the pope in a spirit of hope and celebration like no other. The broadcast expands the Holy Father's reach, allowing believers from around the world, and coast-to-coast, to witness, and perhaps be inspired by, His Holiness in a year where the world's wheels seem to be flying off the bus, and peace on earth seems so distant.
2. On Christmas Eve, in a bit of counterprogramming, Amazon Prime will premiere "ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing." This is the true story of the Kansas City Chiefs superfan who also had another passion: robbing banks. Now serving 17 years, Xaviar Babudar was living a double life: One minute, he was wearing the mascot wolf's head and the team's trademark red, the next he was donning a ski mask and a black hoodie, waving a pistol, and committing felonies to the tune of a million dollars. In 2022, Oklahoma police arrested him for an alleged string of robberies. He admitted to 11 thefts in seven states, laundering his ill-gotten gains through local casinos. The story of Babudar's crime spree, arrest, and trial, enhanced by original interviews with the subject himself, is the stuff of American folk legend, the superfan with a dark secret side hustle. As one on-camera commenter remarks, "he's literally the big, bad f**king wolf."
3. On Wednesday, "Dr. Who: Joy to the World" arrives by TARDIS on Disney+ at 12:10 p.m. Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa stars as the 15th doctor while "Bridgerton" breakout Nicola Coughlan joins him as people-pleaser Joy Almondo. The one-hour, family-friendly, time-travel special finds Joy opening a time portal at a posh hotel, compelling the good doctor to interact with the many ghosts of past, present, and future. He also has a close encounter with his alternate self from a parallel timeline as he tries to keep joy, and Joy, alive despite the dark multiverse forces colliding at Christmas.
4. "UnCOMMON: Building a Boston Sports Team" tees off on Thursday on Peacock. Yet another in the increasing supply of sports docuseries, this five-part original follows four superstar golfers -- Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott, and Hideki Matsuyama. The competitive players form Boston Common Golf, a new team in the TGL that will launch its season on Jan. 7. Sports notables dropping by for cameos are former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, pro golfer Brad Faxon, and former Bruins star and current team president Cam Neely, among others.
5. "Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas" returns to NBC Thursday at 9 p.m. The two-hour variety special, first broadcast in 2022, features a plethora of musical guests including Willie Nelson, Jimmy Fallon, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Allen, and Mike Williams. The show's constructed as a backstage story, including the polished performances and a plot about the drama and delights of producing a holiday special for network TV from Dollywood. With the help of her Three Wise Mountain Men, Parton channels the chaotic yet joyous spirit of Yuletide for a feel-good holiday special with a country beat.