Holiday programming
The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is ho-ho-harried for television. Every year brings a new sleighful of specials and movies, all dumped onto the existing mountain of yuletide programming.
Trying to keep it all straight? You need to make a list and check it twice. Here are some of the new holiday shows in the programming blizzard about to hit TV screens:
Tuesday
“Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” 8 p.m., NBC. Former “Today” show weatherman Al Roker and “Access Hollywood” co-anchor Nancy O’Dell are the hosts for the 72nd lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Performing a mix of current hits and holiday favorites will be Hilary Duff, Kenny Chesney, Clay Aiken, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Chris Isaak, Michael Buble, Vanessa Williams and the Radio City Rockettes.
Wednesday
“Nick & Jessica’s Family Christmas.” 9 p.m. ABC. Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey celebrate the holidays with a variety hour featuring siblings Ashlee Simpson and Drew Lachey.
Thursday
“12 Days of Cookies,” 9 p.m., Food Network. Jim Cordes looks at holiday favorites and the stories behind their creation.
Friday
“Blue’s Room,” noon, Nickelodeon. The Nick Jr. series premieres its “Holiday Wishes” episode, with Blue and the gang decorating the playroom with everything from a Christmas tree to a menorah.
“Jingle, Jingle, Jangle,” 8 p.m. Cartoon Network. This is a 30-minute “Ed, Edd n Eddy” Christmas special.
Sunday
“A Very Married Christmas,” 9 p.m., CBS. Joe Mantegna plays a computer consultant who learns shortly before Christmas that his wife (Jean Smart) is having an affair and wants a divorce. Based on the book “Say When” by Elizabeth Berg, the holiday story features Charles Durning as a charismatic volunteer Santa named Ozzie.
“An Italian Christmas With Mario and Giada.” 9 p.m. Food Network. Hosts Mario Batali and Giada De Laurentiis cross the country searching for Italian holiday recipes.
Dec. 6
“Holiday Windows,” 8 p.m., HGTV. From Neiman Marcus in Dallas to Macy’s in New York, this special takes a behind-the-scenes glimpse at department-store holiday windows.
Dec. 7
“12 Days of Christmas Eve,” 8 p.m., USA Network. Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live”) stars as Angie, a nurse helping a self-centered business executive (Steven Weber) get his priorities straight.
“White House Christmas,” 8 p.m., HGTV. This annual special takes viewers inside the White House with dozens of decorators, artisans and volunteers.
“All Grown Up.” 8:30 p.m. Nickelodeon. The “Rugrats” spinoff series premieres its holiday episode, “The Finster Who Stole Christmas,” with Chuckie dreading what he’s certain will be another forgettable Christmas.
“A Very Queer Eye Christmas,” 10 p.m., Bravo. Carson, Ted, Thom, Kyan and Jai tackle one family’s bad decorations, gifting needs and Christmas cliches.
Dec. 8
“A Clay Aiken Christmas,” 8 p.m., NBC. The “American Idol” runner-up gets his own special with guests Barry Manilow, gospel singer Yolanda Adams and “Will & Grace” star Megan Mullally.
Dec. 9
“A Chanukah Celebration,” PBS (check local listings). Fran Drescher is the host for this special.
“A Chris Isaak Christmas, A Soundstage Special,” PBS (check local listings). Chris Isaak and his band perform songs from his recently recorded Christmas album.
Dec. 10
“A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas,” 9 p.m. Fox. The animated series airs a holiday episode about Peter, who can’t find time to watch his favorite Christmas special, “KISS Saves Santa.”
Dec. 11
“Naughty or Nice,” 9 p.m., ABC. George Lopez stars in this “Wonderful World of Disney” holiday movie about the ultra-rude host of a Chicago radio station’s sports show. A young listener with a life-threatening illness challenges him to be nice for just one day.
“Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus,” 9 p.m., Hallmark Channel. Steve Guttenberg and Crystal Bernard star in yet another Kris Kringle updating, this one having Santa’s son courting a stressed-out single mother.
Dec. 12
“Snow,” 8 p.m., ABC Family. Two stars of canceled NBC shows, Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”) and Ashley Williams (“Good Morning, Miami”), have top billing in this yuletide fable that tries yet another variation on the Santa Claus myth. Cavanagh plays Nick Snowden, who is taking over the family business while coping with the mystery of a missing reindeer.
Dec. 14
“Karroll’s Christmas,” 8 p.m., A&E. A playful, modern take on Dickens’ tale, this cable movie stars Tom Everett Scott as Allen Karroll, a frustrated greeting-card writer visited by the “Christmas Carol” ghosts who mistake him for his Scrooge-like neighbor, Zeb Rosecog (Wallace Shawn). But Marley turns out to be a Rastafarian (as in Bob Marley), Christmas Past is a Borscht-Belt Jewish comedian, Christmas Present is an inexperienced ghoul and Christmas Future is a pint-size phantom (“Mini Me” Verne Troyer).
“The Christmas Special Christmas Special,” 10 p.m., Bravo. Carson Kressley (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) is your guide for this special dedicated to Christmas specials of yore.
Dec. 15
“Christmas in Washington,” 8 p.m., TNT. Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw are the hosts for the annual holiday concert attended by the president and first lady. Scheduled to perform are JoJo, LeAnn Rimes, Ruben Studdard and Vanessa Williams.
Dec. 18
“Angel in the Family,” 9 p.m., Hallmark Channel. Meredith Baxter and Ronny Cox star in this cable movie about the spirit of a deceased woman visiting her ailing husband and troubled children at Christmas.
Dec. 19
“Outta Control Christmas,” 9 p.m., HGTV. Chevy Chase, move over. This special looks at over-the-top home displays.
Dec. 20
“Holiday in the Rockies,” PBS (check local listings). This special includes a variety of holiday music from classical to big band, country and pop.
Dec. 21
“Mystery of the Three Kings,” PBS (check local listings). An exploration of the origins of the Three Wise Men and the secrets of the gifts they brought for Jesus.
Dec. 22
“Home for the Holidays 2004,” 8 p.m., CBS. Actor, musician and comedian Jamie Foxx (“Ray”), who was adopted, is the host for this special that puts the spotlight on stories about adoption. Black Eyed Peas and Ashlee Simpson are scheduled to perform, while Renee Russo and Jamie Lee Curtis are among the stars who’ll present inspirational true stories.
Dec . 23
“American Soundtrack: A Classic Christmas From the Ed Sullivan Show,” PBS (check local listings). A special featuring Christmas clips with Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, the Supremes, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Rich Little and the Muppets.
Dec. 24
“On Stage at the Kennedy Center: A Holiday Concert,” PBS (check local listings). Marvin Hamlisch, the National Symphony Orchestra Pops and several performers present a program of time-honored classics.
Christmas Day
“Burt Wolf: Travels And Traditions: Celebrating Christmas at Biltmore Estate,” PBS (check local listings). Christmas customs are explored and explained.
Dec. 26
“Lighting the Way: Young People Celebrate,” PBS (check local listings). Four young people, ages 11 to 16, invite us into their homes for Christmas, Hanukkah, La Posada and Kwanzaa.