Doubtlessly one of the lesser Peanuts holiday specials — behind Christmas and Halloween — “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (ABC, 8 p.m.) is still something of an annual tradition. Like other TV adaptations of Charles Schulz’s work, the 1973 holiday special has long since been stitched together with the first of an eight-part miniseries from 1988, “This is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyages” to fill out the hour.
A more serious treatment of the same material (the Mayflower part anyway) comes in Ric Burns’ film “The Pilgrims” on “American Experience” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings). Later, the rugged life on another English colony, Jamestown, is recounted on a new episode of “Secrets of the Dead” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
They’re generally not accepted or taken seriously until after Thanksgiving, so why would an early prime time compendium “Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown” (The CW, 8 p.m.) be any more acceptable?
Bindi Irwin is probable winner on the finale of “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 9 p.m.), due to her scores, personality and especially since she’s dancing with Derek Hough, who has won a record five times before. With all of the PenaVegas by now eliminated, the other finalists are Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and soldier on a Paris train Alek Skarlatos. Before the awarding of the tacky mirror ball trophy are performances by Chaka Khan, Andy Grammar, Elle King, Alexander Jean and Nick Carter.
The impressively high budgets on “Drunk History” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) are in evidence in the third season finale, which tackles various milestones in space exploration with a cast that includes Paul Scheer, Chelsea Peretti, Nathan Fillion, Blake Anderson and Adam DeVine.
The concept of time is explained to gullible viewers of the worn out series in the special “Pretty Little Liars: 5 Years Forward” (ABC Family, 8 p.m.), about the half-decade time jump the series will take when it returns Jan. 12.
Jason Alexander and Timothy Olyphant guest star on a Thanksgiving-themed episode of “The Grinder” (Fox, 8:30 p.m.). It’s Thanksgiving too on “Scream Queens” (Fox, 9 p.m.) with the hateful Chanel going to the even worse Chad’s house for the holiday dinner.
Treat Williams guest stars on “Chicago Fire” (NBC,10 p.m.). Lindsay Wagner is in a Thanksgiving-themed “NCIS” (CBS, 8 p.m.). It’s Thanksgiving also on “Grandfathered” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
There’s a search for a Soviet spy on “Manhattan” (WGN America, 9 p.m.).
It’s the 20th anniversary of “Jumanji” (AMC, 8 p.m.).
The month-long, 23 film, Tuesday night showcase of the work of actress Norma Shearer comes to a close with the 1938 “Marie Antoinette” (8 p.m.), “The Women” (10:45 p.m.), “Idiot’s Delight” (1 a.m.), “Escape” (3 a.m.) and “Her Cardboard Lover” (4:45 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops include, at the Maui Invitational, St. John’s vs. Indiana (ESPN2, 2 p.m.), Chaminade vs. UNLV (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.), Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) and Kansas vs. UCLA (ESPN, 10 p.m.).
In the Legends Classic, it’s LSU vs. NC State (ESPNU, 5:30 p.m.) and Marquette vs. Arizona State (ESPN2, 8 p.m.) in the championship game.
In the Hall of Fame Classic championship, it’s Kansas State vs. North Carolina (ESPN2, 10 p.m.).
Other games include TCU at Rhode Island (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.) and Illinois State vs. Maryland (CBS Sports, 8:30 p.m.).
NBA action includes Boston at Atlanta (TNT, 8 p.m.) and Lakers at Golden State (TNT, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Ottawa at Dallas (NHL, 8:30 p.m.).
In college football, it’s Ohio at Northern Illinois (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groan. The View: Alessia Cara. The Talk: Louis Aguirre, Lidia Bastianich. Ellen DeGeneres: Elizabeth Banks, Ellie Goulding. Wendy Williams: Donny Deutsch. The Real: Omar Epps, Traci Braxton. Meredith Vieira: Danai Gurira.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Spike Lee, Carly Simon, Justin Bieber. Jimmy Kimmel: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Krysten Ritter, Fall Out Boy. Jimmy Fallon: Tim Allen, Danai Guria, Jennifer Nettles. Seth Meyers: America Ferrera, Oliver Platt, Judah Friedlander, Brian Chase. James Corden: Roseanne Barr, Gina Rodriguez. Carson Daly: Priyanka Chopra, Kimya Dowson, Adrianne Palicki (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Michael B. Jordan. Trevor Noah: Pras (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Jason Segal, Ruby Rose, Jason Isbell (rerun).