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TV This Week

Most fascinating person of 2012 is …

By Louisa Ada Seltzer

December 12, 2012

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Every year there are some obvious choices for Barbara Walters’ “10 Most Fascinating People” list. This year Gabby Douglas, the gymnast whose smile captivated millions when she won the individual all-around title at the Olympics, and Honey Boo Boo, the star of TLC’s much-maligned but hugely popular “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” were no-brainer picks.

But Walters also likes to offer some surprises on her annual special, which airs tonight at 9:30 p.m. on ABC.

She always keeps the No. 1 most fascinating person a secret, which prompts a lot of guessing in media circles. This year the candidates include President Barack Obama, who won a second term last month and is currently in a nasty fiscal cliff standoff with Congress, but he already won the honor in 2008.

Another possibility is certainly anyone involved in the Petraeus scandal. Gen. David Petraeus was Walters’ No. 1 choice in 2010, and though it seems unlikely he’d sit for an interview, but let's not rule out his wife or ex-mistress.

Ratings for last year’s special fell by 28 percent in adults 18-49 after it moved from Thursday to Wednesday, from a 3.3 Nielsen rating to a 2.3.

But this year it should at least draw strong ratings among teens, specifically teenage girls, because the hugely popular British boy band One Direction is one of Walters’ already-announced picks for the top 10.

A look at this week's top TV draws
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
Time	Network	Program	Description
7:30 p.m.	Multiple networks	"12.12.12 (The Concert for Sandy Relief)" (A)	Bruce Springsteen, Kanye West, Paul McCartney and Alicia Keys are among the performers at the charity concert.
8 p.m.	CW	"Arrow" (D)	In the fall finale, Oliver hosts a Christmas party for his family.
9 p.m.	ABC	"Modern Family" (C)	Claire and Cameron want to try their hand at house flipping, but Phil and Mitchell aren't so sure.
9 p.m.	CBS	"Criminal Minds" (D)	A serial killer's murders resemble those of another killer from 30 years earlier.
9 p.m.	TLC	"Toddlers & Tiaras" (R)	The winter premiere focuses on the Universal Royalty Christmas pageant in Austin.
9:30 p.m.	ABC	"Barbara Walters Presents The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012" (A)	One Direction, Gabby Douglas and Hillary Clinton are all a part of Walters' annual list.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	CBS	"The Big Bang Theory" (C)	The fall finale is an episode titled "The Santa Simulation."
8 p.m.	Fox	"The X Factor" (R)	Elimination episode will cut the field down to three.
8 p.m.	CW	"The Vampire Diaries" (D)	A dangerous situation breaks out at a winter-themed party.
8:20 p.m.	NFL Network	"NFL Football" (S)	The Bengals try to keep their playoff prospects alive against the Eagles.
9 p.m.	ABC	"Grey's Anatomy" (D)	Richard helps calm Bailey, who is nervous about the wedding.
10 p.m.	MTV	"Jersey Shore" (R)	Mike tells the housemates about a secret from his past.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	ABC	"Last Man Standing" (C)	Mike attempts to get rid of the kids for Christmas so Vanessa can relax.
8 p.m.	Disney Channel	"Disney's A Christmas Carol" (K)	The 2009 movie starring Jim Carrey as Scrooge.
9 p.m.	Fox	"Fringe" (D)	Walter tries LSD in an attempt jolt his memory.
9 p.m.	FX	"UFC Fight Night" (S)	A number of fights, with the main event a lightweight bout between George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson.
10 p.m.	Bravo	"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" (R)	Latest episode incorporates various social media elements.
10 p.m.	Science	"Unearthing Ancient Secrets" (N)	Asking and answering questions about Christopher Columbus
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
Time	Network	Program	Description
2 p.m.	CBS	"College Basketball" (S)	Good nonconference matchup between Butler and Indiana.
4 p.m.	NBC	"Golf" (S)	Eighteen father-son teams compete in a challenge in Orlando.
4:30 p.m.	CBS	"Boxing" (S)	What is this, the 1970s? A championship bout on network TV on a Saturday afternoon, this between bantamweights Leo Santa Cruz and Alberto Guevara.
8 p.m.	Fox	"Cops" (R)	Season premiere. Cops in Toledo respond to a domestic disturbance call.
9 p.m.	FX	"The Ultimate Fighter" (R)	Season finale. The two finalists fight for the UFC contract, live from Las Vegas.
11:30 p.m.	NBC	"Saturday Night Live" (C)	Martin Short hosts, with musical guest Paul McCartney.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	Fox	"The Simpsons" (C)	Homer loses Santa's Little Helper, which causes Grandpa to recall the story of Homer's childhood dog.
8:20 p.m.	NBC	"Sunday Night Football" (S)	Super Bowl preview? The 49ers take on the Patriots.
8:30 p.m.	CBS	"Survivor" (R)	Season finale. The jury questions the finalists before they select this season's winner.
9 p.m.	ABC	"The Bachelorette: Ashley and J.P.'s Wedding" (R)	Chris Harrison hosts the wedding between Ashley and J.P. from the 2011 "Bachelorette" season.
9 p.m.	Fox	"Family Guy" (C)	Peter tells his own version of the story of Christmas.
10 p.m.	Showtime	"Homeland" (D)	Season finale. Carrie has to make a big decision, while Saul starts a secret mission.
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.