Network TV seems to be saying: You should be at a holiday party tonight. Everything on is a rerun.
But at least there is the second most popular “Peanuts” Christmas special getting a showcase: “I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Here’s something to look forward to on New Year’s Day: the annual big outdoor hockey game, this year being held in Detroit. To perpare, catch the latest chapter in “24/7 Red Wings/ Maple Leafs: Road to the NHL Winter Classic” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
“Broken City” (HBO, 8 p.m.), the political thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crow and Catherine Zeta-Jones, makes a premium cable debut.
In some sense, some big gun movies are on tonight, from “The Wizard of Oz” (TNT, 7 and 9:15 p.m.) to “Jungle Fever” (Flix, 8 p.m.) and “Do the Right Thing” (Flix, 10:15 p.m.); “Argo” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.), “Bee Movie” (Bravo, 8 and 10 p.m.), “Shrek” (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.), “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” (Comedy Central, 8 p.m.), “Marie Antoinette” (Sundance, 8 p.m.) and “Full Metal Jacket” (IFC, 8 and 10:30 p.m.).
But also: “Thor” (FX, 9 p.m.).
The last Saturday before Christmas brings little in the way of new Yuletide movies. Instead “Santa Clause 2” (ABC Family 8 p.m.) and “Santa Clause 3” (ABC Family, 10 p.m.); “Jack Frost” (AMC, 8p.m.), “The Christmas Blessing” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), “The Twelve Trees of Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “Christmas on the Bayou” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), and the least recommended film on the list, “A Cadaver Christmas” (TMC, 9 p.m.).
A vague family theme tonight on Turner Classic Movies brings “Auntie Mame” (8 p.m.), “Christmas Eve” (10:30 p.m.), “All Mine to Give” (12:15 a.m.), “Massacre Mafia Style” (2 a.m.) and John Cassavetes’ “Husbands” (3:30 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Georgetown at Kansas (ESPN, noon), Belmont at Kentucky (ESPNU, noon), Gonzaga vs. Kansas State (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.), Michigan State at Texas (CBS, 4 p.m.), Rider at Villanova (Fox Sports 1, 4 p.m.), Fresno State at Florida (Fox Sports Net, 4:30 p.m.), Davidson at North Carolina (ESPNU, 5 p.m.), Illinois vs. Missouri (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.), Notre Dame vs. Ohio State (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.), and Oklahoma State vs. Colorado (ESPN2, 11:30 p.m.).
Here are some early bowl games: Washington State vs. Colorado State (ESPN, 2 p.m.) in the New Mexico Bowl, Fresno State vs. USC (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) in the Las Vegas Bowl, Buffalo vs. San Diego State (ESPN, 5:30 p.m.) in the Potato Bowl and Tulane vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (ESPN, 9 p.m.) in the New Orleans Bowl.
Here’s an oldie but a goodie: Tom Waits playing “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) from 1978.
Jimmy Fallon only had to take the elevator for this gig: returning to host a new “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.), with Justin Timberlake as musical guest. We can already imagine the recurring skits.