Christmas on U.S television means: Go spend some time with your familym because there’s nothing special on tonight. That’s the opposite of the UK where special episodes are planned for months. Case in point is the Christmas episode of “Doctor Who” (BBC America, 9 p.m.), which in a rare instance gets played in the U.S. the same day.
It involves a bunch of malevolent snowmen with pointy teeth. Matt Smith is your current doctor, but he introduces a new companion in a barmaid named Clara, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. Richard E. Grant plays the evil Doctor Simeon behind the squad of snowmen.
Sharon Lawrence guest stars on the season finale of “Rizzoli & Isles” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
The era of “Leverage” (TNT, 10 p.m.) comes to an end as the series hasn’t been picked up. The final caper is closest to Nate’s heart – regarding his son’s death.
Maria Menounos and Nick Cannon co-host the “Disney Christmas Parade” (ABC, 10 a.m.).
Compare and contrast: The 1966 original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and the Jim Carrey “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.).
It’s not the only Seuss in prime time. “Horton Hears a Who!” (NBC, 8 p.m.) gets a spotlight as well.
Otherwise, your networks’ holiday gifts to you are reruns: A double play of “NCIS” (CBS, 8 and 9 p.m.), a four pack of “New Girl” (Fox, 8 p..)., replays of “Hart of Dixie” (The CW, 8 p.m.), “Emily Owens M.D.” (The CW, 9 p.m.), “Go On” (NBC, 10 p.m.), “Vegas” (CBS, 10 p.m.) and “The New Normal” (NBC, 10:30 p.m.).
Last chance for timely Christmas movies, so here’s “Anything But Christmas” (ION, 7 p.m.), “Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas” (Disney, 8 p.m.), “Merry In-Laws” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (ABC Family, 9 p.m.), “A Christmas Kiss” (ION, 9 p.m.), “Hitched for the Holidays” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.), “Holiday Spin” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), and “A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.). Plus “A Christmas Story” (TBS, 8 and 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m.) continues its marathon until 8 p.m.
A coupl of Robert De Niro’s best movies are on: “Raging Bull” (NBC Sports, 7 p.m., 9:45 p.m.) and “Goodfellas” (Spike TV, 8:30 p.m.). Queen Latifah is in a couple of films, too: “Joyful Noise” (HBO, 9 p.m.) and “Bringing Down the House” (Encore, 9:30 p.m.).
There’s a double feature of “The Princess Bride” (Sundance, 7:45 and 9:30 p.m.).
Not aware of any public demand for the Andy Hardy films of the 1930s and 40s, but here is a marathon of them: “Love Finds Andy Hardy” (TCM, 8 p.m.), “Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever” (TCM, 9:45 p.m.), “Judge Hardy and Son” (TCM, 11:15 p.m.), “Andy Hardy Meets Debutante” (TCM, 1 a.m.), “Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary” (TCM, 2:45 a.m.) and “Life Begins for Andy Hardy” (TCM, 4:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
The Talk: Jamie Lee Curtis, Melody Thomas Scott, Michelle Stafford, Katherine Kelly Lang (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Heidi Klum, Nikki Reed, Mackenzie Foy (rerun).
Basketball has become some sort of holiday tradition, so there are a handful of games: Celtics at Nets (ESPN, noon), Knicks at Lakers (ABC, 3 p.m.), Thunder at Heat (ABC, 5:30 p.m.), Rockets at Bulls (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Nuggets at Clippers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Scarlett Johansson, Willie Nelson, Gary Clark Jr. (rerun). Jay Leno: Albert Brooks, Kerry Washington, Willy Moon (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: John Goodman, Hayden Panettiere, Machine Gun Kelly (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Danny Way, Corey May, Blitzen Trapper (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Regis Philbin, Katie Aselton (rerun). Carson Daly: Danny Way, Corey May, Blitzen Trapper (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Jamie Lee Curtis (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Mark Wahlberg, Infantree (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Franjola, Annie Lederman, Matt Braunger.