New generations don’t quite remember Lucille Ball or her contributions to the medium (she pretty much invented sitcoms in addition to being one of their brightest stars).
She did so in black and white mostly, so in bringing back a couple of episodes of “I Love Lucy” (CBS, 8 p.m.), the network has lavishly colorized it, bringing back the intensity of the redhead’s hair. They’ve combined a rarely seen Christmas episode that serves as a clip show about how life in the Ricardo family has changed since the birth of Little Ricky, and the famous grape-stomping episode — the wine colorized to glorious purple.
Hugh Jackman hosts the annual “Christmas in Washington” (TNT, 8 p.m.) from the National Building Museum with the first family in attendance as the Backstreet Boys, Sheryl Crow, Anna Kendrick, Janelle Monae and Pat Monahan perform — as does Jackman.
Another holiday concert has mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves singing “Christmas at Belmont 2013” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
But on the same week that Keith Richards turned 70 comes a documentary covering the band’s historic return to Hyde Park, nearly 44 years to the day after the 1969 concert that became a de facto memorial to Brian Jone, who had just died. Beware the HD closeups when watching “The Rolling Stones: Sweet Summer Sun — Return to Hyde Park” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
One of TV’s greatest unsung holiday traditions occurs again tonight on “Late Night with David Letterman” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.): Jay Thomas throws a football at the meatball atop the Christmas tree (and probably tells the Lone Ranger joke), and Darlene Love comes in to sing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” The other guest on tonight? Kristin Wiig.
Something big happens on “Nikita” (The CW, 9 p.m.), one of the few shows with a new episode tonight. The others are “Hawaii Five-0” (CBS, 9 p.m.) and “Blue Bloods” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
An odd, non-Christmas “Peanuts” special comes with “Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown” (Fox, 9 p.m.). Maybe Christmas is evoked just by having Charlie Brown around.
Zach Galifianakis pops in to “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (IFC, 10 p.m.).
Patrick Stewart plays Scrooge in the 1999 “A Christmas Carol” (TNT, 9 p.m.).
If you can’t get into “2,” here’s the original “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (TBS, 8 p.m.).
The month-long Friday night salute to the Hollywood costume industry on Turner Classic Movies continues with “Send Me No Flowers” (8 p.m.), “The Big Heat” (10 p.m.), “Dog Day Afternoon” (11:45 a.m.), “The Stepford Wives” (2 a.m.) and “Sullivan’s Travels” (4:15 a.m.).
NHL action has Rockets at Pacers (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Timberwolves at Lakers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jeremy Renner, Lenny Kravitz, Mark Forgione. The View: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, Jen Rudin. The Talk: Mary J. Blige, Susan Feniger. Ellen DeGeneres: Katy Perry. Wendy Williams: Meagan Good, Chassie Post (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Kristen Wiig, Jay Thomas, Darlene Love. Jay Leno: Michael Strahan, Jarjorie Johnson, Leona Lewis. Jimmy Kimmel: Zoe Saldana, Mike Birbiglia, Toro Y Moi (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Natalie Portman, Taye Diggs, Nate Bargatze (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Judd Apatow, Lissie. Carson Daly: St. Lucia, Adam Richmond (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Stacy Keach. Arsenio Hall: Kim Richards, Kyle Richards, Brandi Glanville, Pentatonix. Chelsea Handler: Kenneth Cole, Michael Yo, Claire Titelman, Brad Wollack (rerun).