1) “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 8 p.m., NBC. One of TV’s all-time great shows (shown here) brought a confluence of genius. Dr. Seuss’ brilliant book links with Chuck Jones’ witty animation. Add Boris Karloff’s narration and a booming song from Thurl Ravenscroft and you have a true classic. Read more…
1) “Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” 8-10 p.m., NBC. Now its NBC’s turn for holiday spectacle. This one is live, with the Rockettes, the tree-lighting and lots of music. That’s from Reba McEntire (who hosts), Halle Bailey (shown here in a previous concert), Gwen Stefani, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Michael Buble, Marc Anthony, New Edition and Kristin Chenowith. Read more…
When PBS hits its mid-season stride, it will have lots of strong women.
Some are real (Bella Abzug, Barbara Jordan, Vivien Hargrove), some are fictional (Eliza Scarlet, shown here), some are yet-to-be-determined (female gladiators).
All will share the channel with Henry David Thoreau, Adam Sandler, animal parents, ambitious European dramas and an age-old question: Do dogs really understand words? Read more…
1) “CMA Christmas,” 9:01 p.m., ABC. This hour has plenty of country stars — Jordan Davis, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Riley Green, Lady A and Little Big Town. But it also nudges elsewhere. There’s contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle (hosting with Davis), gospel’s Bebe Winans (shown here) and blues stars Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Read more…
1) “Holiday Spectacular,” 8-10 p.m. today, ABC. Here’s the sort of spectacle Disney savors — bright colors and cheery music, inside theme parks. Derek Hough (shown here amid Disney fol;k) hosts and performs; also performing are Nicole Scherzinger, Bebe Rexha, Aloe Blacc, Trisha Yearwood, Gwen Stefani, Coco Jones and Benji and Joel Madden. Read more…
1) Animation, 8-11 p.m., ABC. Here’s a rarity for a broadcast network — a three-hour burst of Christmas cartoons. First are two “Prep & Landing” tales, focusing on the guys in Santa’s elite advance team. Then comes a new one (shown here) at 9, seeing them panic when things go wrong. That’s followed by “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.”
Read more…
1) “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas,” 8-10 p.m., Hallmark. One day after the Opry has its 100th-birthday event, here’s a film celebrating past and present. Gentry is whisked back 30 years, to when her late father was an opry star. There’s lots of music, plus old and new Opry people, from Bill Anderson and Pam Tillis to Brad Paisley (shown here) and Mickey Guyton. Read more…
1) “Holiday Spectacular,” 8-10 p.m. today, ABC. Sprawling across the Disney parks, this has bright colors and cheery music. Derek Hough hosts and performs; also performing are Nicole Scherzinger (shown here), Bebe Rexha, Aloe Blacc, Trisha Yearwood, Gwen Stefani, Coco Jones and Benji and Joel Madden. This also airs at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on Freeform. Read more…
If you missed Monday’s “Everybody Loves Raymond” special, don’t fret.
In a quick change, CBS will rerun it at 9 p.m. Friday (Nov. 28).
And yes, this is one special worth repeating. It overflowed with humor and moments of warmth Read more…
Some supersized shows are on the way.
They range from woolly mammoths in the ice to Tom Cruise leaping between planes. They also include the simple world of Henry David Thoreau and the complicated one of the “Far Cry” videogame. Chronologically, that includes: Read more…
Best-bets for Feb. 5: fun chefs, serious sports 
Best-bets for Feb. 4: Muppets and talking dogs 
Best-bets for Feb. 3: a night of crimes, true and not 
