paradeThe Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (NBC, CBS, 9 a.m.), that three hour cornucopia of commercialism, show biz and balloons kicks off with performers that include Mariah Carey, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Nettles, Daughtry, Andy Grammar, Train, Trey Songz, Questlove, Panic at the Disco, Pat Benatar and Broadway casts from the shows “On Your Feet,” “School of Rock,” “The Wiz,” “The King & I,” “Finding Neverland” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” The “Today” crew of Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker will host NBC’s coverage at its 34th Street perch; CBS will cover it all uptown.

The turkey holiday is going to the dogs increasingly. In addition to the annual National Dog Show (NBC, noon) there is the prime time special “The All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration” (Fox, 8 p.m.), hosted by Kaley Cuoco, honors rescue dogs with celebrities like Emmy Possum, Betty White, Olivia Munn, Paula Abdul and Kathy Griffin.

Another tradition: Philadelphia at Detroit (Fox,12:30 p.m.). Other NFL action today Carolina at Dallas (CBS, 4:30 p.m.) and  Chicago at Green Bay (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).

Students from public school arts programs go to the President’s house to attend master classes on theater from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan, Andrew Lloyd Weber and Cicely Tyson in “Broadway at the White House” (TLC, 8 p.m.), hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison, with Michelle Obama popping in as well.

A Thanksgiving tradition of littering is celebrated in “Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Concert” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) in which Arlo Guthrie performs his most famous song in its entirety, as well as several other songs. Here’s an interview I did with him about the 50th anniversary tour earlier this year for the Washington Post.

Yet another uptight corporate executive (Aaron O’Connell) has a heart warmed by an unlikely love interest, his personal shopper (Katrina Law), and the season of course, in the new made-for-TV “12 Gifts of Christmas” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) that also features Donna Mills.

Spend your evening with a handful of Hepburn and Tracy films: “Desk Set” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Woman of the Year” (TCM, 10 p.m.), “State of the Union” (TCM, midnight), “Pat and Mike” (TCM, 2:15 a.m.) and “Adam’s Rib” (TCM, 4 a.m.).

No games for the pro athletes today in the NHL and NBA, but the unpaid “student athletes” have to work all day, with a full roster of men’s college basketball today including Alabama vs. Xavier (ESPN2, noon), Gonzaga at Texas A&M (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Wichita State vs. USC (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Arkansas vs. Georgia Tech (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Syracuse vs. Connecticut (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.), UC Irvine vs. Boise State (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), Stanford vs. Villanova (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.), Notre Dame vs. Monmouth (ESPNU, 6:30 p.m.), Boston College vs. Michigan State (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.), Iowa vs. Dayton (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Evansville vs. Providence (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Middle Tennessee at Alaska Anchorage (CBS Sports, 9:30 p.m.), Santa Clara vs. Arizona (ESPN2, 11:30 p.m.). UNC Asheville vs. Drexel (CBS Sports, 11:59 p.m.) and California vs. San Diego State (Fox Sports 1, 11:59 p.m.).

 

Daytime Talk

Kelly & Michael: Patricia Heaton, Keke Palmer, Marcus Samuelsson (rerun). The View: Sofia Vergara, Anthony Anderson (rerun). The Talk: Joey Fatone (rerun). Wendy Williams: Andra day, John Leguizamo (rerun). The Real: Iyanla Vanzant (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Queen Latifah, Jennifer Grey (rerun).

Late Talk

Stephen Colbert: Jack Black, Nick Woodman, Michelle Dorrance (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Ty Burrell, Lake Bell, Joss Stone Temple Pilots (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Queen Latifah, Rashida Jones, Daniel Humm, Kool Keith. Seth Meyers: Meyers family, Brian Chase. James Corden: Aaron Sorkin, Bradley Whitford (rerun). Carson Daly: Rachel Bloom, Houndmouth, Lena Waithe (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Jewel.