Great “Grinch” is back … often

In a world that keeps changing, here’s some reassuring news:
This year, we can again see the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (shown here) … often. It will be on cable nine times, as soon as Nov. 10 (7:30 p.m.) and as late as Dec. 21 (7:30 and 10:30).
“Grinch” debuted in 1966, with a confluence of genius — a clever Dr. Seuss book, brilliant Chuck Jones animation and a booming song. It could stand at the top of TV’s holiday history, alongside “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The difference is that Charlie is now confined to steaming (Apple TV+). “Grinch” will be on NBC (8 p.m. Dec. 4 and 25) and on both TNT and TBS.
Those two have set their plans for this season, including their annual 24-hour “Christmas Story” marathon, starting on Christmas Eve. It’s a huge list — TNT calls it “Christmas Maximus” — but a few highlights include:
— “Grinch.” On TNT, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10 and Nov. 21; 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., Nov. 23; noon (but 9 a.m. PT), Dec. 20. On TBS, 11:30 a.m., Nov. 15; 6:30 p.m., Nov. 23; 4 p.m., Dec. 13; 10 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., Dec. 14; 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., Dec. 21.
— “A Christmas Story” (1983): TBS, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 14, TNT, 4:45 p.m., Dec. 19; and 12:30 p.m., Dec. 20. TBS. Both in the Dec. 24-25 marathon.
— “Candy Cane Lane” (2023, Eddie Murphy film on Amazon Prime, moving to cable). Seven times, beginning 9 p.m. Nov. 16 and 4 p.m. Nov. 17, TNT.
— “Elf” (2003), twelve times, starting 10 p.m. Nov. 9 and 8 p.m. Nov. 10, on TNT. Also, TBS starts a 24-hour marathon at 9 p.m. Nov. 28.
— “Christmas Vacation” (1989), ten times starting 8 p.m. Nov. 9 on TNT, which also has a 24-hour marathon, starting 8 p.m., Nov. 29.
— “The Polar Express” (2004), seven times, starting 11 a.m. Nov. 9 on TNT and 11 p.m. Nov. 13 on TBS.
— “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” nine times, including noon Nov. 15 on TBS and 1:57 p.m. Nov. 16 on TNT.
— And the great “Wizard of Oz,” in one busy week: 8 and 10:15 p.m. Nov. 21, TNT; 8 p.m. Nov. 27, TBS; then Nov. 28 — 5:45 p.m., TBS; 9:30 and 11:45 p.m., TNT.