Gotta hand it to the Brits, who not only care (and remember) which song is No. 1 at Christmas each year (This year, it’s either Justin Bieber or the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Choir) but prepare special episodes of their favorite shows to run on the holiday, not just reruns.
It becomes a U.S. tradition in the case of “Doctor Who” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) because the show doesn’t want to risk leaking elsewhere after its UK debut Christmas Day. It also happens due to another UK favorite import on public television, “Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2015” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listing). In the former, the Doctor seeks to spend the holiday alone, but is interrupted by a crashed spaceship. In the latter, a televised special is in the offing for Poplar as well.
They did it with Lucy, so they try it with Andy in the “new” “Andy Griffith Show Christmas Special” (CBS, 8 p.m.), which, like the “I Love Lucy” special, is a colorized version of two “Andy Griffith Show” episodes in which Santa is played by either Aunt Bea, Otis the Drunk or Goober.
But yes, there are reruns, mostly of specials: “CMA Country Christmas” (ABC, 8 p.m.), “The iHeart Radio Jingle Ball” (The CW, 8 p.m.), “American Country Countdown’s Top 10 Stories of 2015” (Fox, 9 p.m.) and the TV movie “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
The only new scripted show on network TV come like a gift that you really don’t want: two episodes of “Truth Be Told” (NBC, 8 and 8:30 p.m.). Consolation: It’s they represent the season finale.
This morning, The 32nd Annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (ABC, 10 a.m.) features all manner of recording stars from Ariana Grande and Jason Derulo to Seal singing at the theme parks. Robin Roberts hosts.
It’s a big day for NBA games with New Orleans at Miami (ESPN, noon), Chicago at Oklahoma City (ABC, 2:30 p.m.), Cleveland at Golden State (ABC, 5 p.m.), San Antonio at Houston (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and Clippers at Lakers (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
It’s all about orphans on Turner Classic Movies with “Annie” (8 p.m.), “Bachelor Mother” (10:15 p.m.), “Room for One More” (midnight), “Curly Top” (2 a.m.), “The Kid” (3:30 a.m.) and “Bad Little Angel” (4:30 a.m.).
Last call for Christmas movies, with “Jingle All the Way 2” (Bravo, 7 p.m.), “A Crown for Christmas” (Hallmark, 7:30 p.m.), “Four Christmases” (TBS, 8 p.m.), “A Gift Wrapped Christmas” (Lifetime, 8 p.m.), “A Christmas Detour” (Hallmark, 9 p.m.) and “Becoming Santa” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes BYU vs Northern Iowa (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m.), Auburn at Hawaii (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.), Harvard vs. Oklahoma (ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.),
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Dwayne Johnson, Caroline Rhea, Disney on Ice, Earth Wind & Fire (rerun). The Talk: Terry Crews, Nancy O’Dell (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Kim Kardashian, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jake Owen (rerun). Wendy Williams: Joan Collins (rerun). The Real: Ken Jeong, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Dave Foley, Suzy Nakamura (rerun). Meredith Vieira: Cedric the Entertainer (rerun).
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Jane Fonda, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Brandon Niederauer (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Maya Rudolph, Adam Scott, Andrea Bocelli (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Queen Latifah, Rashida Jones, Chef Daniel Humm, Kool Keith (rerun). Seth Meyers: Jennifer Lawrence, Kurt Russell, Fred Noe, Ilan Rubin (rerun). James Corden: Seth MacFarlane, Lily Tomlin (rerun). Carson Daly: Anthony Jeselnik, Starlee Kine (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Johnny Mathis.