Underwood under tree again
Chances are you haven’t even wrapped all of your presents yet, but the networks are already in serious regifting mode, reheating leftover repeats from the very recent past.
“Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” (8 p.m., r, Fox, TV-PG) is probably best appreciated for its rapid costume changes and the “Idol” winner’s girl-group medley with Christina Applegate and Kristin Chenoweth warbling under identical blonde wigs. Fellow “Idol” champ David Cook shows up, as do country stars Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton.
•NBC doesn’t give you too many chances to forget about “The Biggest Loser,” its popular reality-contest spectacle. More than 40 participants from struggles past show up on “Biggest Loser: Where Are They Now?” (8 p.m., NBC, r, TV-PG). And just in case you lose focus, there will probably be plenty of commercials for “The Biggest Loser: Couples,” the ninth edition of the weight-loss series, beginning on the network on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
•Put “Pretty Woman” in the witness- protection program during the holidays and you’ve got the basic gist of the 2003 made-for-TV holiday offering “Undercover Christmas” (9 p.m., Lifetime, TV-PG). A straight-laced FBI agent (Shawn Christian) has to keep a sassy cocktail-waitress witness (Jami Gertz) under wraps until she can testify. Events conspire to have them visit his family for Christmas, where she meets his snooty mom (Tyne Daly) and defrosts his family with her earthy personality. You’ll think Santa has bestowed the gift of clairvoyance, because there isn’t one scene in “Undercover” that you can’t predict.
Tonight’s other highlights
Oregon State and BYU meet in the Las Vegas Bowl (5 p.m., ESPN).
Vance’s past resurfaces on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
As J.D.’s tenure grows short, he tries to win Turk’s approval on “Scrubs” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
“Frontline’s” “From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians” (9 p.m., KSPS/KCDT/KUID) examines how Christianity moved from an outlaw sect to Rome’s official religion.
“South Park” (9 p.m., Comedy Central, r, TV-MA) reels off four consecutive Christmas-themed episodes.
Khandi Alexander guest stars as Lem’s fetching mother on “Better Off Ted” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
Alicia feels the clock ticking as she tries to clear train workers on “The Good Wife” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG).
“Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special,” Winfrey interviews the first couple during an hour that follows holiday preparations at the White House (10 p.m., ABC, r).
“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (10 p.m., HBO) glances back at the biggest and most touching sports stories of 2009.
Cult choice
The 2008 political oddity “An American Carol” (9:35 p.m., Showtime) tried to blend the Dickens classic with a prolonged attack on filmmaker Michael Moore as well as mount a defense of just wars. Created by “Airplane” director David Zucker, it stars Kelsey Grammer, Leslie Nielsen and Jon Voight.
Late night
Colbie Caillat appears on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Conan O’Brien hosts Lance Armstrong, Carson Daly and Kid Cudi on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Heidi Klum, Ron Artest and Weezer appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 a.m., ABC, r) … Tom Arnold appears on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Kathy Griffin and Harry Connick Jr. on “The Late Late Show” (12:37 a.m., CBS).