It’s still a quaint idea that a big concert with classic rockers can be a balm to any situation – hunger, terror attack or hurricane. Or maybe Sandy was a “super storm.” At any rate, there are a lot of people who need help in the New York area.A perfect storm of classic rockers combine to make “12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief” (AMC, HBO, Fuse, IFC and 3o other cable networks, 7:30 p.m.). (It might be easier to list the channels it won’t be on rather than the ones it will be on). It will be accessible by 2 billion people worldwide and will even be featured in some movie theaters
Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and The Who will all perform, as will Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Roger Waters, Jon Bon Jovi, Eddie Vedder and Kayne West. A whole roster of big name presenters includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Combs, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart.
The format is getting a little creaky but “Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.), which ranges from Gov. Chris Christie and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to pop group One Direction and Honey Boo Boo. Also: Ben Affleck, Seth MacFarlane, “50 Shades of Grey” author E.L. James, gold medalist Gabby Douglas. She plans to unveil a couple of the list while on the air, leaving room for anyone from President Obama to the “Gangham Style” guy.
Simon’s got two groups in the final four of “The X Factor” (Fox, 8 p.m.), but they’ve got an uphill battle against country singer Tate Stevens and young teen force Carly Rose Soneclar.
Only in recent years has anybody paid attention to the Screen Actors Guild awards, now there’s a special to read the SAG Award Nominations (TNT, 9 a.m.). The awards for film and TV actors will be read by Busy Philipps and Taye Diggs.
It’s the last Thursday show for “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.), which winds up its season and crowns a winner in the usual three hour Sunday blitz.
Wonder what “Jim Rome on Showtime” (Showtime, 10 p.m. thinks about gun control.
A lion cub and his mom are subjects of tonight’s Big Cat Week feature, “Born Predator” (Nat Geo Wild, 9 p.m.).
Yeah, it was on last night as a “sneak peek.” Now it’s on in its regular time slot. Too bad nobody put a hit on the utterly fake “Amish Mafia” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) before it got on the air.
Sharing is stressed on a new “Top Chef” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) on which actors Anna Faris and Chris Pratt, married in real life, are guest judges.
If you’re starved for quality drama, there’s still time to tune into “The Hour” (BBC America, 9 p.m.).
If overheated drama is more your thing there’s always “American Horror Story” (FX, 10 p.m.). Tonight, another actor from season one returns in a different guise: Dylan McDermott.
Great: In addition to battling everyone else at the stores this time of year, you’re also up against the “Toy Hunter” (Travel, 9 p.m.).
You know by now they’re just looking for the next Honey Boo Boo as the new season of “Toddlers & Tiaras” (TLC, 9 p.m.) begins.
Ever wonder how these places worked? The special “Hotel: Behind Closed Doors at Marriott” (CNBC, 9 p.m.) may let you know.
A marathon of the raucus “I Love Jenni” (mun2, 6 p.m.) pays homage to the series star Jenni Rivera, who died in a plane crash Sunday.
One imagines Snooki-style triple axels and the effects of aerodynamics on teased hair in the new “Jersey on Ice” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
The monthlong Barbara Stanwyck Wednesdays continues on Turner Classic Movies, with “Banjo on My Knee” (8 p.m.), “Remember the Night” (9:45 p.m.), “The Lady Eve” (11:30 p.m.), “Ball of Fire” (1:15 a.m.), “You Belong to Me” (3:15 a.m.) and “Lady of Burlesque” (5 a.m.).
Someone please stop playing “Miracle on 34th Street” (AMC, 8 and 10:15 p.m.). It’s been on a half dozen times this week already.
I’m sure at some point Howie Mandel will pause to explain exactly how the short term game show “Take It All” (NBC, 9 p.m.) is supposed to work.
Look what gets a replay a week after it was on: “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Feeling he’s been missing things in exile, “Arrow” (The CW, 8 p.m.) schedules his own Christmas party.
A 20th anniversary is celebrated on “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.). And there’s a new “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.) in which Claire and Cameron consider becoming house flippers.
NBA action includes Dallas at Boston (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and San Antonio at Utah (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Anne Hathaway, Alan Cumming, Ashanti. The View: Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Rob James-Collier, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophia McShera. The Talk: Jason Mraz, Alan Cumming. Ellen DeGeneres: Howie Mandel, Tom Shadyac, Idina Menzel.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Billy Crystal, James Balog, Grizzly Bear. Jay Leno: Albert Brooks, Kerry Washington, Willy Moon. Jimmy Kimmel: John Krasinski, Mike Birbiglia, Atlas Genius. Jimmy Fallon: Naomi Watts, Hugh Bonneville, Florida Georgia Line. Craig Ferguson: Chris O’Downd, Beth Behrs. Carson Daly: Guilty Simpson, Sacha Gervasi, the Heavy. Tavis Smiley: Matt Damon. Jon Stewart: Cory Booker. Stephen Colbert: Mandy Patinkin, Michael Stipe. Conan O’Brien: Michael C. Hall, Charlyne Yi, Tommy Johnagin. Chelsea Handler: Adam Levine, Jeff Wild, James Davis, Ross Mathews.