There’s nothing like the old Yuletide music specials to stoke nostalgia at Christmastime.
One runs tonight, with “Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank” (8 p.m.), a 1953 special with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, visiting Victorian England in what’s described as “hip 1950s style.” Sinatra himself directed the hour-long special.
It kicks off tonight’s edition of the month long Wednesday night salute to Sinatra on Turner Classic Movies to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. It continues with continues with some films of the season, “Miracle of the Bells” (8:45 p.m.), “High Society” (11 p.m.), “Robin and the 7 Hoods” (1 a.m.) and “The Tender Trap” (3:15 a.m.).
Once, soldiers abroad could count on a Christmas USO performance from Bob Hope and the ilk. But “WWE Tribute to the Troops” (USA, 8 p.m.) never gets out of the U.S., entertaining military personnel at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Florida. Also, its entertainers are along the line of wrestlers, Howie Mandel and the band Train.
This year’s most popular music special — in fact the network’s most popular one in 12 years — gets a deserved replay. “Adele Live in New York City” (NBC, 9 p.m.) drew 11.2 million viewers first time out.
Also rerunning tonight, “Michael Buble’s Christmas in Hollywood” (NBC, 10 p.m.), “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and “How Murray Saved Christmas” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
The pair of colorized “I Love Lucy” episodes from the 1950s, “The Christmas Episode” and “Lucy Does a TV Commercial,” are paired for the “I Love Lucy Christmas Special” (CBS, 8 p.m.) that has been running the last few years.
An overload of Christmas movies of course with “Scrooged” (AMC, 7 p.m.), “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” (ABC Family, 7:30 p.m.), “Crazy for Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “A Bride for Christmas” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), “Matchmaker Santa” (Hallmark, 10 p.m.), “Christmas with the Cranks” (AMC, 9 p.m.), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (ABC Family, 10 p.m.) and “Wish Upon a Christmas” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
“Mythbusters” (Science, midnight) is the first show to throw a Christmas marathon, running all of its 248 episodes in order for the next 12 days.
Earlier, “2015: The Year in Technology” (Science, 10 p.m.) looks at the year’s innovations.
Probably not included: “True Life: I’m a Cyborg” (MTV, 11:30 p.m.) in which three people implant electronics into themselves.
The final episode of “Then and Now with Andy Cohen” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) covers Y2K and such.
“Rev Runs Around the World” (Travel, 10 p.m.) goes to Dubai and Istanbul in two episodes.
“Time Scanners” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) examines how structures in Jerusalem were built.
In college football, it’s Boise State vs. Northern Illinois (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.) in the Poinsettia Bowl and Georgia Southern vs. Bowling Green (ESPN, 8 p.m.) in the GoDaddy Bowl.
College basketball has Central Connecticut at Connecticut (ESPNU, 12:30 p.m.), Utah Valley at Louisville (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Illinois at Missouri (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) and Pepperdine at Portland (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
In pro basketball, it’s Houston at Orlando (NBA, 7 p.m.) and Oklahoma City at Lakers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Adam Levine, Jack Black, Ronda Rousey, Trevor Noah. The View: Ben Carson, Garcelle Beauvais, Ty Hodges, Ryan Destiny (rerun). The Talk: Dick Van Dyke, Nancy O’Dell, Elle King (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Will Smith, Greyson Chance (rerun). Wendy Williams: Lisa Edelstein (rerun). The Real: Robert Herjavec, Barbara Corcoran (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Carla Hall.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Bruce Willis, Michael Lewis, Andrew Delbanco, Lizzo (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Rick Ross (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Tom Hanks, Jessica Chastain, Pentatonix (rerun). Seth Meyers: Larry, Hilary & Josh Meyers, Brian Chase (rerun). James Corden: Josh Duhamel, Kelly Osbourne, RichardBarker (rerun). Carson Daly: Niece Nash, Drenge, Neil Strauss (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Michael B. Jordan. Conan O’Brien: Aaron Sorkin, Artie Lange, Beruit (rerun).