You have the admire the restraint of a network having the rights to the film, but only playing “It’s a Wonderful Life” (NBC, 8 p.m.) once a season, tonight on Christmas Eve, a time when it all falls apart and all comes back together for George Bailey.
Another perennial this time of year is the nostalgic 1983 “A Christmas Story” (TBS, 8 p.m.; TNT, 9 p.m.) which runs for 24 hours with the story repeating on the hour.
The thing getting network airplay on Christmas Eve for the first time is “Home Alone” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
“The Curse” (Showtime, 9 p.m.) is just about the only new scripted program on TV tonight. Which seems right.
Rocsi Diaz hosts The 2023 Gospel Superfest Holiday Special (BET, 10 p.m.) with Donnie McClurkin, John P. See, Jekalyn Carr, Beverly Crawford, Shirley Murdock, Ricky Dillard and more. The event was taped in Jacksonville, Fla., in September. It’s preceded by last year’s event at 9.
Later, the Pope celebrates Christmas Eve Mass (NBC, 11:30 p.m.).
Can we squeeze in one new holiday movie before the holiday? Here’s “A Christmas Letter” (UPtv, 7 p.m.) with Colin Mochrie.
The same episode of “Night Court” (NBC, 7:30 p.m.) that aired last night airs again tonight. Likely because the episode’s title is “A ‘Night Court’ Before Christmas.’
“5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas” (NBC, 7 p.m.) is the Jimmy Fallon animated special that gets its timing all wrong
The demise of the jumbo jet is told in the special “The Last 747” (Smithsonian, 8 p.m.).
“Lingo” (CBS, 8 p.m.) and “Loteria Loca” (CBS, 9 p.m.) both have holiday-themed episodes.
Homer and Bert becomes kings of the blue collar sports circuit on a new episode of “The Simpsons” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“The Chosen” (CW, 8 p.m.) has a season finale, with Jesus preaching to thousands. But someone forgot the food.
Now that they’ve mostly all wised up and broke up with Kody Brown, “Sister Wives Look Back” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
The documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything” (CNN, 8 p.m.) gets a replay.
Turner Classic Movies’ Christmas marathon reaches its peak with “Three Godfathers” (6 a.m.), “Beyond Tomorrow” (7:30 a.m.), “The Great Rupert” (9 a.m.), “Tenth Avenue Angel” (10:30 a.m.), “Love Finds Andy Hardy” (11:45 a.m.), “Going My Way” (1:30 p.m.), “It Happened on 5th Avenue” (3:45 p.m.), “Meet Me in St. Louis” (6 p.m.), “Christmas in Connecticut” (8 p.m.), “Holiday Affair” (10 p.m.), “A Christmas Carol” (11:45 p.m.), “Little Women” (1 a.m.), “Auntie Mame” (3:15 a.m.) and “Big Business” (5:45 a.m.).
Sunday Night Football has New England at Denver (NFL, 8:15 p.m.). Earlier games have Washington at Jets (CBS, 1 p.m.), Detroit at Minnesota (Fox, 1 p.m.) and Dallas at Miami (Fox, 4:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball has Temple vs. Portland (ESPN2, 1:30 p.m.), Old Dominion vs. Massachusetts (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.), TCU vs. Hawaii (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.) and Nevada vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN, 9 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, Sen. Lindsey Graham. CNN: Former Vice President Al Gore, founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dale. Fox: Sen. Bill Hagerty.