What’s On TV Tonight? – 12/05/2012

Credit: CBS

8:00 PM EST

NICK’S PICK: Survivor: Philippines (“Shot Into Smithereens”) – A challenge allows castaways to join forces with their families; an alliance schemes to get rid of a threat. (CBS)

The X Factor – The finalists perform. (FOX)

Whitney (“Sex, Lies, and Alibis”) – After a revelation from Chris, Whitney decides it’s time to come clean about past falsehoods; Mark hires a new bartender. (NBC)

The Middle (“Christmas Help”) – Mike helps his brother, Rusty (Norm Macdonald), move some furniture into the Heck family’s garage, only to realize the furniture is stolen; Frankie hopes to land a part-time job in a department store so she can get a discount on Christmas presents. (ABC)

Arrow (“Vendetta”) – As Oliver trains Helena to be his ally, the two grow closer; Diggle worries that Helena can’t be trusted. (The CW)

8:30 PM EST

Guys With Kids (“Christmas”) – Emily and Nick think Marny and Gary’s marriage is in a rut; Sheila and Chris must decide who keeps the engagement ring after their divorce. (NBC)

The Neighbors (“Merry Crap-Mas”) – Marty and Debbie dislike the kids’ entitled attitude toward Christmas and decide to return the gifts and use the money for a family vacation; when the Weavers realize the aliens already opened all the presents, Larry Bird must save Christmas. (ABC)

9:00 PM EST

Criminal Minds (“The Lesson”) – When multiple dead men are found, the BAU tracks a killer with ritualistic tendencies; Reid is anxious when faced with an opportunity to meet his mystery woman. (CBS)

The Hour – Freddie and Camille steal the limelight from Bel at a party; Hector is arrested. (BBC America)

The Houstons: On Our Own (“We Are Family”) – Krissy tries to move past grieving by finding a new apartment; Gary deals with the ramifications of neglecting his health. (Lifetime)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (“Dreams Deferred”) – A man goes on a killing spree, but he has links to a prostitute that Benson encountered in an earlier investigation, so the FBI contacts SVU for information. (NBC)

Supernatural (“Citizen Fang”) – Sam secretly asks a hunter named Martin to watch over Benny; Dean is forced to make a difficult decision. (The CW)

9:30 PM EST

Suburgatory (“Krampus”) – George assumes that Tessa will be thrilled to go on an excursion with her mother in New York, but Tessa finds herself missing Chatswin and her father; the Shay family is thrown into turmoil when Ryan finds out he was adopted. (ABC)

10:00 PM EST

American Horror Story: Asylum (“Unholy Night”) – A murderous Santa wreaks havoc on Briarcliff; Sister Jude faces off with the devil; Arden has a shocking encounter in the death chute. (FX)

Nashville (“Where He Leads Me”) [WINTER FINALE] – Rayna reconsiders things after hearing Teddy’s side of the story; Juliette finds an unexpected sense of belonging with Sean’s family; Gunnar confesses his feelings; Deacon and Avery are each offered opportunities. (ABC)

Chicago Fire (“Leaving the Station”) – Peter is deeply upset when a young victim is discovered at the site of a train accident; an abusive mother takes dire actions; Severide’s injury is aggravated. (NBC)

Hot in Cleveland (“A Midwinter Night’s Sex Comedy”) – Melanie’s boss puts her in an awkward position; Joy worries about fitting in at college; Victoria is asked to change her appearance; Elka keeps a secret. (TV Land)

Top Chef: Seattle (“Pike Place Pickle”) – Early morning Quickfire at Pike Place Market; rare ingredients in the Elimination Challenge; an unexpected judges table shocks the Cheftestants. (Bravo)

10:30 PM EST

Love You, Mean It with Whitney Cummings – Actress Lizzy Caplan. (E!)

LATE NIGHT

Conan welcomes Jim Parsons; Jennifer Carpenter; Delta Spirit. (11:00 PM EST, TBS)

Chelsea Lately has Guest host Casey Wilson; Adam Pally is promoting Happy Endings; John Caparulo; Loni Love; Bobby Lee. (11:00 PM EST, E!)

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart features Former senator Alan Simpson. (11:00 PM EST, Comedy Central)

The Colbert Report has Director Peter Jackson. (11:30 PM EST, Comedy Central)

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno features Actor Don Johnson; animal handler Julie Scardina; Darius Rucker performs. (11:35 PM EST, NBC)

Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Actor Albert Brooks; Diana Krall performs. (11:35 PM EST, CBS)

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has Actor Tracy Morgan; comic Richard Lewis; chef Tyler Florence; Robert Cray performs with The Roots. (12:35 AM EST, NBC)

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson features Actress Cheryl Hines; Richie Sambora performs. (12:35 AM EST, CBS)

Last Call with Carson Daly welcomes Professional skateboarder Danny Way; Sekretagent Productions co-founder Corey May; Blitzen Trapper performs. (1:35 AM EST, NBC)