Mike Hughes on TV

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…

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.”
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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…