It’s another big night of late night transition. Following the final episode of “The Colbert Report,” with its cast of 100 or so singalong celebrities Thursday, tonight is also the last night of “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS, 12:37 a.m.).
The Scottish import acquitted himself well in a redeye-slot where he could spin out his own personal yarns and top-of-the-head monologues as well actually converse with guests rather than have them recite planned topics or plug current projects. He had his own extreme quirks, including a long running co-host who was a skeleton puppet and he’s skipping on, taking a lead from the lead-in, while he has time to tackle many other things. Ferguson’s last guest is someone who knows a little bit about leaving late night: Jay Leno. Fergie’s replacement in March will be another member of the UK not well known stateside, the comic actor James Corben, whose new bandleader will be Reggie Watts, who happens to be part of the season finale of “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (IFC, 11 p.m.) with Scott Aukerman.
Ferguson’s departure is part of a whole cloth Worldwide Pants change in 2015 marked by next spring’s final “The Late Show with David Letterman” (CBS, 11:35 p.m.) in May. Tonight, though, is the final time for one of TV’s great holiday traditions. It means Jay Thomas (who is scarcely seen on TV otherwise) will tell his tale about the Lone Ranger, he and the host will throw a football at the meatball atop the Christmas tree, and especially, Darlene Love will belt out “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with Paul Shafer and the band, a gooseflesh-raising event that should probably be topped by “Auld Lang Syne” for the occasion.
What a swell night for TV (for a Friday, too): It’s the surprise broadcast return of my favorite animated holiday special, one that predated Charlie Brown’s by two years, “Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol” (The CW, 8 p.m.), which for all the many variations of the Dickens story, may be the best. It certainly has the best score with songs by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill that are just now starting to get wider recognition — a concert of the songs was just staged this week in New York. There is more reason to cheer tonight’s return: Unlike NBC’s 50th anniversary showing which chopped eight minutes off the original hour (essentially the whole Broadway framing device and more), this one has plenty of time to show the whole thing within 90 minutes and still have time for a half hour of ads. It’s all because DreamWorks owns the right to the classic now — and will be following it with its own “Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special” (The CW, 9:30 p.m.).
Odd time for a new show to debut, but here it is, another hidden camera prank show, except this time it’s on primetime broadcast network TV, “Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon” (NBC, 8 p.m.). Most of it is uploaded from user generated footage.
It follows the 25th season finale for “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) the frantic reality franchise that’s almost disappeared in plain sight by moving from Sundays to Friday night. At any rate the final three teams — the pro wrestlers, the one armed surfer, the dentists and the flavor scientists — race from Manila to Los Angeles to try and win the $1 million. The finale just gets one hour compared to Wednesday’s three hours for “Survivor.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hosts the 33rd annual “Christmas in Washington” (TNT, 8 and 10 p.m.) taped last weekend in D.C. at the National Building Museum with Aloe Blacc, Hunter Hayes, Christina Perri, Darius Rucker, Rita Ora, Earth Wind and Fire and the First Family in the event benefiting the Children’s National Health System.
The busy Earth, Wind and Fire (they have a new Christmas album out this year) also appear on another TV holiday tradition, “A Home for the Holidays” (CBS, 9 p.m.), which combines music with testimonials about adoption. This year’s event also has Jennifer Hudson, Train and Katharine McPhee.
The 83rd annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (Hallmark, 5 p.m.) gets national coverage, with performances by Stevie Wonder, Daughtry, Richie Sambora, Daughtry, Drake Bell, LeAnn Rimes and Dave Koz. A number of stars are featured along the parade route too in the event hosted by Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams.
On public TV, it’s a new special “Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Deborah Voigt and John Rhys-Davies” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) from Utah along with “Christmas in Norway with the St. Olaf Choir” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
This year’s “Muppets Most Wanted” (Starz, 8 p.m.) makes its premium cable premiere.
Holiday fare includes “Elf” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.), “A Nanny for Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “Naughty or Nice” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (ABC Family, 10 p.m.) and “Merry-In-Laws” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
There’s also a replay of a Christmas special of “Doctor Who” (BBC America, 8 p.m.).
Other movies tonight include “Avatar” (FX, 8 p.m.), “Hot Fuzz” (IFC, 8:30 p.m.) and “Hot Tub Time Machine” (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.),
The month-long Friday night salute to unsung director and choreographer Charles Walters on Turner Classic Movies continues with “High Society” (8 p.m.), “The Glass Slipper” (10 p.m.), “The Tender Trap” (11:45 a.m.), “Easy to Love” (1:45 a.m.), “Don’t Go Near the Water” (3:30 a.m.) and “Best Foot Forward” (5:30 a.m.).
There’s a sudden appearance of some college football among smaller schools: Marian, Ind. vs. Southern Oregon (ESPNU, 3 p.m.) in the NAIA championship game, Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. Mount Union (ESPNU, 7 p.m.) in the NCAA Division III championship game and Sam Houston State at North Dakota State (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) in the FCS tournament.
In college hoops, it’s Saint Mary’s at St. John’s (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), Alabama A&M at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) and Arizona at UTEP (Fox Sports 1, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Portland at San Antonio (ESP, 8 p.m.) and Oklahoma at Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, the Harlem Globetrotters. The View: Marjorie Johnson, Mikey Russo, Mario Cantone. The Talk: Trisha Yearwood, Fabio Viviani. Ellen DeGeneres: Owen Wilson. Wendy Williams: Mary J. Blige, Joe Levy, Judy Gold, Sharon Carpenter. Meredith Vieira: Chris Rock, Kevin Jonas. Queen Latifah: Big & Rich, Tom Arnold, Freddie Prinze Jr. (rerun). The Real: Nicki Minaj.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Josh Brolin, Jay Thomas, Darlene Love. Jimmy Fallon: Ben Stiller, Brie Larson, Damon Wayans. Jimmy Kimmel: Chris Pine, Evangeline Lilly, Pitbull with Ne-Yo (rerun). Seth Meyers: Cameron Diaz, Josh Radnor, Richard Engel, Bob Mould (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Jay Leno. Carson Daly: Juno Temple, Le Butcherettes, Ho99o9 (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Rob Bell.