Turkeys are big on TV today, but so are dogs. So in addition to the 13th annual National Dog Show (NBC, noon) with John O’Hurley and David Frei, there is also the two hour prime time adoption special “Fox’s Cause for Paws: An All-Star Dog Spectacular” (Fox, 8 p.m.), hosted by Hilary Swank and Jane Lynch, spotlighting rescue dogs and their owners. Celebrities love dogs so guests include Kristen Bell, Paula Abdul, Fergie, Josh Duhamel, Kathy Griffin, Scarlett Johansson, Miranda Lambert, Betty White, Pink and Kesha.
It plays opposite Robin Roberts’ portrait of human heroes across the country called “Thank You, America!” (ABC, 8 p.m.) from the network that just used to build new houses for the deserving folks.
It all starts with the parades of course and the big one is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (NBC, 9 a.m.), the three hour event that includes performances by the Big Apple Circus, Kiss, Nick Jonas, Cirque du Soleil, Idina Menzel, Meghan Trainor, Renee Fleming, Quvenzhane Walllis and performances from such Broadway shows as “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” “Side Show,” “The Last Ship” with Sting and “On the Town.” Then there are all the balloons, each attached to a specific toy or other commercial promotion.
Pigskin is another big element of the day with the usual array of football, Chicago at Detroit (CBS, 12:30 p.m.), Philadelphia at Dallas (Fox, 4:30 p.m.) and Seattle at San Francisco (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
Rock and roll might be a new tradition for the day with “A Very Bonnaroo Thanksgiving” (VH1, 9 p.m.) repenting highlights from past festivals including Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, Elton John, Arcade Fire, Metallica, Jack White, Alabama Shakes, Mumford & Sons and Jack Johnson.
Skits from the network’s deep pool of comic talent all contribute to “Comedy Central’s All-Star Non Denominational Christmas Special” (Comedy Central 10 p.m.) with Nick Kroll, Key & Peele, the gals from “Broad City,” a couple of people from “Reno 911” and a glimpse of former “Daily Show” senior black correspondent Larry Wilmore, who will take over Stephen Colbert’s slot in January. (“The Daily Show” and “Colbert Report” are postponed tonight.
With the theme of “mischief and mayhem,” Turner Classic Movies features the comedies “The Trouble with Angels” (8 p.m.), “Bright Eyes” (10 p.m.), “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” (11:30 p.m.), “With Six You Get Eggroll” (1:45 a.m.) followed by “Meet Me in St. Louis” (3:30 a.m.) and “The Lady Vanishes” (5:30 a.m.).
Other movies tonight include “Ratatouille (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.), “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (AMC, 9 p.m.), “Wedding Crashers” (Cinemax, 8 p.m.), “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (FX, 8 p.m.) and “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” (FX, 10 p.m.), “The LEGO Movie” (HBO, 8 p.m.) and “August: Osage County” (Showtime, 8 p.m.).
College hoops today include Santa Clara vs. Tennessee (ESPN2, noon), Butler vs. Oklahoma (ESPN, 1 p.m.), Kansas vs. Rhode Island (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Princeton vs. UTEP (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Georgetown vs. Wisconsin (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.), LIU-Brooklyn vs. Stony Brook (ESPNU, 4 p.m.), San Diego vs. Xavier (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.), Illinois vs. Indiana State (Fox Sports 1, 5 p.m.), Western Kentucky vs. Saint Joseph’s (ESPNU, 6 p.m.), Michigan State vs. Rider (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.), Georgia Tech vs. Marquette (ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.), Long Beach State vs. Western Michigan (ESPNU, 8:30 p.m.), Rice vs. Mercer (CBS Sports, 9:30 p.m.), San Jose State vs. Washington (ESPN2, 11 p.m.), Baylor vs. Memphis (Fox Sports 1, midnight) and Washington State at UC-Santa Barbara (CBS Sports, midnight).
College football includes LSU at Texas A&M (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) and TCU at Texas (Fox Sports 1, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jamie Foxx, Zac Efron. The View: Patti LaBelle, Vintage Trouble (rerun). Ellen DeGeneres: Lauren Graham, Ben McKenzie (rerun). Wendy Williams: Lisa Lampinelli, Kelsey Nixon. Meredith Vieira: Mariska Hargitay, Lisa Ling (rerun). Queen Latifah: Reese Witherspoon (rerun).
Late Talk
David Letterman: Ted Danson, Andrew Norelli (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Whoopi Goldberg, Rashida Jones, Tom Colicchio. Jimmy Kimmel: Jamie Foxx, Tracee Ellis Ross, the New Basement Tapes (rerun). Seth Meyers: Larry, Hilary & Josh Meyers. Craig Ferguson: Bob Newhart, Melissa Rauch (rerun). Carson Daly: Michelle Monaghan, You Me at Six (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Kristin Chenoweth.