2008 holiday TV and movie guide
Your one-stop shop to find all of your favorite holiday movies and parades
| November | December | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
“Miracle on 34th Street” (2 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) This 1947 classic, about preparations for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, is the perfect follow-up after watching the real thing. Edmund Gwenn won a supporting actor Oscar for playing the store Santa who insists he’s no imposter.
“The Thanksgiving Day Parade” (8 a.m., WBBM-Channel 2) Coverage of the Macy’s spectacle in New York, plus songs from Sugarland and “Mary Poppins.”
“McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade” (8 a.m., WGN-Channel 9) Floats, bands and balloons make their way down State Street.
“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” (9 a.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) Miley Cyrus and Trace Adkins perform as the balloons make their way down Broadway.
“Bozo, Gar & Ray” (11 a.m., WGN-Channel 9) A look back at WGN children’s classics includes the 1950s favorites “Hardrock, Coco and Joe,” “Suzy Snowflake” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Snoopy serves the gang toast and popcorn.
“Faith Hill: Joy to the World” (7 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) On a “Soundstage” special, the country music fave sings carols backed by choir and orchestra.
“An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving” (8 p.m., Hallmark) Jacqueline Bisset. A struggling single mom is surprised by a visit from her wealthy mother. 2008
“A Colbert Christmas” (10:30 p.m., Comedy Central) The pundit sings silly duets with Willile Nelson, John Legend and Elvis Costello.
“Elf” (6 p.m., USA) Will Ferrell, fresh off the raunchy “Old School,” went mainstream with this charming, retro romp about a human brought up at the North Pole as one of Santa’s helpers. His cheery manner proves an imperfect fit when he ventures to Manhattan in search of his real father (James Caan).
“Silent Night” (noon, Hallmark) Linda Hamilton. During World War II, a woman shelters American and German soldiers. 2002
“A Colbert Christmas” (2p.m., Comedy Central) See Nov. 28.
“Silver Bells” (6 p.m., Hallmark) Anne Heche. A visiting farmer falls for a New York widow. 2005
“The Polar Express” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Tom Hanks. A boy is invited along on a rail journey to the North Pole. 2004.
“The Santa Clause” (8 p.m., TBS) Tim Allen. A divorced dad puts on Santa’s suit and inherits the job. 1994
“Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special” (9 p.m., Comedy Central) A ventriloquist celebrates with his plastic friends.
“White Christmas” (8 and 11 p.m., Lifetime) The Bing Crosby vehicle is glitzier but duller than the film it remakes, Crosby’s 1942 “Holiday Inn.” But you can’t beat that title song, a December perennial by the time this movie came out in 1954. Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney co-star in the tale about a struggling inn in Vermont.
“Ms. Scrooge” (8 a.m., Hallmark) Cicely Tyson. A miserly woman has a Christmas Eve transformation. 1997
“One Magic Christmas” (10 a.m., Hallmark) Mary Steenburgen. A 6-year-old restores her mom’s holiday spirit. 1985
“Mr. St. Nick” (10 a.m., Lifetime) Kelsey Grammer. Santa’s prodigal son isn't ready to inherit Dad’s duties. 2002
“Recipe for a Perfect Christmas” (noon, Lifetime) Christine Baranski. To get his restaurant reviewed, a chef agrees to date the critic's mother. 2005
“A Very Married Christmas” (2 p.m., Lifetime) Jean Smart. A man learns just before the holiday that his cheating wife wants a divorce. Joe Mantegna, Jean Smart. 2004
“Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus” (4 p.m., Hallmark) Steve Guttenberg. Santa’s son needs to find a bride. 2004
“Call Me Claus” (4 p.m., Lifetime) Whoopi Goldberg. A TV producer is in the running to succeed Santa. 2001
“Meet the Santas” (6 p.m., Hallmark) Steve Guttenberg. Parents interfere with wedding plans in a sequel to “Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus.” 2005
“A Diva’s Christmas Carol” (6 p.m., Lifetime) Vanessa L. Williams. Ghosts visit an egotistical pop star. 2000
“The Santa Clause” (6:15 p.m., TBS) See Nov. 28.
“Santa Claus: The Movie” (7 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) Dudley Moore. A wayward elf threatens to tarnish St. Nick’s legend. 1985
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (8 p.m., Hallmark) Tom Arnold. A small town’s Santaville is on the verge of bankruptcy. 2008
“Ebbie” (10 a.m., Lifetime) She hadn’t yet been booted off “Dancing With the Stars” when this TV movie debuted in 1995. So to become suitably crabby to play a distaff Scrooge, Susan Lucci must have reminded herself how many times she’d lost the Daytime Emmy. Happy ending: She finally won in 1999.
“Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus” (noon, Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Meet the Santas” (2 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“A Town Without Christmas” (4 p.m., Hallmark) Patricia Heaton. A reporter tries to find a boy who wrote a suicide note to Santa. 2001. Repeats at 10 p.m.
“Faith Hill: Joy to the World” (7 p.m., CMT) See Nov. 27.
“Borrowed Hearts” (noon, Lifetime) Roma Downey. A single mom pretends to be her boss’ wife. 1997
“Finding John Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark) Valerie Bertinelli. A nurse thinks the firefighting hero pictured in the paper is her brother. 2003
“The Christmas Shoes” (8 p.m., Lifetime) Rob Lowe. A workaholic lawyer crosses paths with a boy on Christmas Eve. 2002
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7:30 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Be careful: On ABC Family tonight, they’re showing Jim Carrey buried in makeup in the icky 2000 remake. Stick with this one, an animated classic with hilarious wordplay, menacing Boris Karloff narration and a laudable message about acceptance.
“Shrek the Halls” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) For his kids’ sake, the ogre pretends to like the holidays.
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., ABC Family) Jim Carrey. Live-action film explains the origins of Dr. Seuss’ nasty, wasty skunk. 2000. Repeats at 9:30 p.m.
“Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Like Batman, Santa has several versions of his origin story, and this one is as much fun as you can have with magic corn and a penguin sidekick. The trippy empowerment song Jessica sings midway through (sometimes cut on TV) reminds you this was made in 1970.
“The Polar Express” (5 p.m., ABC Family) See Nov. 28.
“Meet the Santas” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Larry the Cable Guy’s Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza” (9 p.m., CMT) The comedian cuts up with Toby Keith, Jeff Foxworthy and a host of other country stars.
“Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” (10 p.m., Hallmark) AnnaSophia Robb. Neighbors open the eyes of a rich girl at the turn of the century. 2004
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (7 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) In 2007 this was the most recorded holiday special on TiVo, and with good reason: The stop-motion story of various North Pole misfits has been a favorite of multiple generations. It’s been spoofed on “SNL,” “South Park” and even an Aflac commercial.
“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) Beyonce, Tony Bennett and the Jonas Brothers herald the lighting of Manhattan’s tree.
“A Christmas Story” (7 p.m., TNT) Peter Billingsley. Can a Red Ryder air rifle shoot a boy’s eye out? 1983. Repeats at 9 p.m.
“Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve” (9:30 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) Ossie Davis and Jewel in a musical fairy tale.
“Silent Night” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 28.
“The Santa Clause” (9 p.m., TBS) For a movie that begins with St. Nick dropping dead, this 1994 yarn manages both kid and adult appeal with its premise that new guys are always being drafted to wear the big red suit. Tim Allen stars, with a script by former Chicago comics Leon Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick.
“Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” (6 p.m., ABC Family) There must have been something tragic in that old silk hat, the way the original Frosty special keeps spawning off-putting sequels. Here we find the jolly soul not so happy until the kids make him a snow wife with the voice of Shelley Winters.
“Greatest Holiday Moments: TV & Film Countdown” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) A look back at favorite yuletide clips, from “It’s a Wonderful Life” to “Home Alone.”
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Jim Carrey. See Dec. 1.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (7 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) A boy must find his missing granny on Christmas Eve.
“The Story of Santa Claus” (8 p.m,, WGN-Channel 9) A toymaker is evicted from his shop in this animated musical.
“Larry the Cable Guy’s Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza” (8 p.m., CMT) See Dec. 2.
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Scrooge” (11 p.m., TCM) Albert Finney. Musical telling of the Christmas Carol tale. 1970
“A Grandpa for Christmas” (10 p.m., Hallmark) Ernest Borgnine. A former stage star helps his granddaughter with the pageant. 2007
“Miracle on 34th Street” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) As pointless ’70s remakes go, this can’t compare to Marlo Thomas’ revamp of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But there’s novelty value to be had in watching Oscar nominee Jane Alexander, former “Family Affair” butler Sebastian Cabot and future “Good Morning America” host David Hartman act out the Santa story.
“Christmas Every Day” (6:30 a.m., ABC Family) Robert Hays. That’s the wish granted to a girl, much to her scroogey brother’s chagrin. 1996.
“On the 2nd Day of Christmas” (10 a.m., Lifetime) Mary Stuart Masterson. A security guard nabs a picketpocketer and her young niece. 1997 “Holiday Affair” (11:30 a.m., TCM) Torn between a boring businessman and a romantic ne’er-do-well. Janet Leigh. 1950
“A Town Without Christmas” (noon, Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“Finding John Christmas” (2 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“The Christmas Choir” (8 p.m., Hallmark) Jason Gedrick. An accountant taps the musical skills at a homeless shelter. 2008
“Silver Bells” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 28.
“A Christmas Carol” (9:30 p.m., AMC) First aired by CBS in 1984, this is one of the more highly regarded versions of the Dickens warhorse. George C. Scott was Emmy-nominated for his cranky Scrooge, the old miser who needs scary visits from ghosts to appreciate Christmas.
“Eloise at Christmastime” (7:30 a.m., ABC Family) Julie Andrews. Eloise plays matchmaker as a Plaza Hotel wedding nears. 2003
“Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish” (9:30 a.m., ABC Family) Eugene Levy. The well-off kid goes to an alternate world where he never was born. 1999
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (10 a.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“Mr. St. Nick” (noon, Lifetime) See Nov. 29.
“Silver Bells” (2 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 28.
“Noel” (2 p.m., Lifetime) Susan Sarandon. Lives intersect during a miraculous Christmas Eve on the streets of New York. 2004
“A Christmas Visitor” (6 p.m., Hallmark) William Devane. Tragic news spoils a family's holiday. 2002
“Prancer” (7 p.m., AMC) Sam Elliott. A girl hides an injured reindeer she thinks belongs to Santa. 1989
“The Christmas Card” (8 p.m., Hallmark) A soldier decides to visit the stranger who sent holiday greetings. 2006
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Now 43 years old, the first of the Peanuts TV specials still holds up despite — or perhaps because of — its eccentricities: the choppy editing, the weird dancing and the bold choice to devote network prime time to an animated child reciting at length from the Gospel of Luke.
“A Christmas Carol” (2:15 p.m., AMC) George C. Scott. See Dec. 7.
“Prancer” (4:30 p.m., AMC) See Dec. 7.
“ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” (6 p.m., ABC Family) Mice and men learn Santa may bypass their town.
“Cranberry Christmas” (6:30 p.m., ABC Family) A meanie wants to take away the Cranberryport skating bog.
“Blizzard” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) Christopher Plummer. A girl learns the story of a young ice skater and an enchanted reindeer. 2003
“Jingle All the Way” (7 p.m., ABC Family) Arnold Schwarzenegger. A dad stops at nothing to get the toy his son craves. 1996
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (7 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“Ebbie” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“Ms. Scrooge” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“A Dennis the Menace Christmas” (7 p.m., ABC Family) Walter Matthau, Don Rickles and Tom Arnold have played crabby neighbor George Wilson in recent movies, and now Robert Wagner takes on the part in a movie unseen on TV since its DVD release last year.
“A Garfield Christmas” (6 p.m., ABC Family) The lazy cat spends the holiday at the farm of his master’s grandma.
“Olive, the Other Reindeer” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) A dog sets out for the North Pole to pull Santa's sleigh.
“Home Alone” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) The biggest box-office hit of 1990 stars Macaulay Culkin as a boy left behind when his family goes to Paris for Christmas. A Winnetka house was used as the one he takes over.
“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (6 p.m., ABC Family) Scrooge McDuck gets a visit from some seasonally minded ghosts.
“Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too!” (6:30 p.m., ABC Family) Pooh sets off to the North Pole to deliver his friends’ lists.
“Little Spirit: Christmas in New York” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) A new animated special features music by Broadway’s Duncan Sheik.
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (7 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 2.
“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (8 p.m., ABC Family) It takes a glowing nose to find the lost Baby New Year.
“Silver Bells” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 28.
“Jack Frost” (9 p.m., ABC Family) Jack begs Father Winter to make him human.
Chicago’s Music of the Baroque gets national exposure in this new concert special, taped in Northbrook, of early works for brass and chorus.
“Noel” (1 p.m., Lifetime) See Dec. 7.
“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (6 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” (7 p.m., ABC Family) The Heat Miser, the Snow Miser and Saint Nick’s exhaustion imperil the holiday. “A Renaissance Christmas” (7:30 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) Chicago’s Music of the Baroque performs historical holiday works.
“Christmas Town” (8 p.m., WCPX-Channel 38) Nicole de Boer. A single mom reunites with her dad in a town full of holiday spirit. 2008
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” (8 p.m., ABC Family) In this computer-animated sequel, a thief swipes Santa’s presents.
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” (9:30 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 8.
“Larry the Cable Guy’s Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza” (9:30 p.m., CMT) See Dec. 2.
“Finding John Christmas” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“Frosty the Snowman” (7 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) This cartoon perennial’s greeting-card look came from its illustrator, Paul Coker Jr., who in the off season drew cards as well as Mad magazine spoofs. The lame sequel “Frosty Returns” follows at 7:30.
“The Man Who Saved Christmas” (1 p.m., Lifetime) Jason Alexander. A toymaker converts his factory to make weapons during World War II. 2002
“Frosty the Snowman” (7 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) A magician’s hat brings the button-nosed fella to life.
“Greatest Holiday Moments: Songs of the Season Countdown” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) Bing Crosby, Gene Autry and Mariah Carey crop up in a medley of favorite seasonal numbers.
“Frosty Returns” (7:30 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) Snow-removal spray isn’t good for this jolly, happy soul.
“Recipe for a Perfect Christmas” (noon, Lifetime) See Nov. 29.
“The Christmas Choir” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 6.
“The Flight Before Christmas” (8 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) A young reindeer, threatened by wolves, yearns to find his father and learn to fly.
“A Tonic Sol-Fa Christmas” (8 p.m., WYCC-Channel 20) The a cappella group performs in Minneapolis.
“Larry the Cable Guy’s Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza” (9 p.m., CMT) See Dec. 2.
“A Christmas Visitor” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 7.
“A Miser Brothers’ Christmas” (7 p.m., ABC Family) Two voice talents from 1974’s “The Year Without a Santa Claus” — Mickey Rooney as Santa and George S. Irving as Heat Miser — reprise their roles more than 30 years later in a new special about show-stopping sons of Mother Nature. This time Heat and Snow have to halt their feuding and get St. Nick out of a pinch.
“Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” (6 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 5. Repeats at 3:30 p.m.
“The Leprechaun’s Christmas Gold” (6:30 a.m., ABC Family) There’s a banshee in the tree that Dinty Doyle brought home.
“The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” (7 a.m., ABC Family) A generous benefactor to children is granted immortality.
“The Little Drummer Boy” (8 a.m., ABC Family) A young orphan delivers a gift to the baby Jesus.
“The Little Drummer Boy, Book II” (8:30 a.m., ABC Family) Aaron and animal friends try to recover stolen bells.
“Pinocchio’s Christmas” (9 a.m., ABC Family) Money for Geppetto's gift is stolen.
“The Story of the First Christmas Snow” (10 a.m., ABC Family) Nuns help a young shepherd blinded by lightning.
“Call Me Claus” (10 a.m., Lifetime) See Nov. 29.
“Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey” (10:30 a.m., ABC Family) Nestor gets to carry the first gift to Bethlehem.
“A Garfield Christmas” (11 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 9.
“A Cranberry Christmas” (11:30 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 8
“Jack Frost” (noon, ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“One Magic Christmas” (noon, Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“A Diva’s Christmas Carol” (noon, Lifetime) See Nov. 29.
“Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July” (1 p.m., ABC Family) A wizard threatens to dim Rudolph and melt Frosty.
“Deck the Halls” (2 p.m., Lifetime) Gabrielle Carteris. A boy wants Mom to marry a guy he thinks is Santa. 2005
“ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” (3 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 8.
“Christmas in Connecticut” (3 p.m., TCM) Barbara Stanwyck. A homemaking specialist fakes a family holiday. 1945
“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (4 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” (4 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 2.
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (5 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 2.
“Olive, the Other Reindeer” (5 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 9.
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” (6 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 11.
“A Very Married Christmas” (6 p.m., Lifetime) See Nov. 29.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) James Stewart. In what the American Film Institute called the most inspiring film of all time, a small-town banker is ready to throw his life away until a fledgling angel shows how much he’s mattered. Attaboy, Clarence! 1946
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (8 p.m., Hallmark) Henry Winkler. A woman sour on Christmas is visited by her eccentric uncle and his new friend. 2008
“Surviving Christmas” (8 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Ben Affleck. A wealthy, lonely executive pays strangers to take him in for a family Christmas. 2004
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 13.
“Will You Merry Me?” (8 p.m., Lifetime) Wendie Malick. A couple’s two families have different holiday traditions. 2008. Repeats at 11 p.m.
“The Santa Clause 2” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) “The Santa Clause 3” besmirched the franchise, but the first sequel to Tim Allen’s Kringle caper has some witty bits and poignant moments. This time he’s in a couple of jams: His son’s on the naughty list, and he needs to find a wife — fast.
“Jack Frost” (6 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“A Carol Christmas” (9 a.m., ABC Family) Tori Spelling. An egomaniacal talk show host needs a lesson on Christmas Eve. 2003
“Ebbie” (10 a.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“Snowglobe” (11 a.m., ABC Family) Christina Milian. Magic transports a woman to a land of holiday perfection. 2007
“A Town Without Christmas” (noon, WGN-Channel 9) See Nov. 30.
“Santa Baby” (1 p.m., ABC Family) Jenny McCarthy. When Santa falls ill, his efficiency-expert daughter takes over. 2006
“Santa Claus: The Movie” (2 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) See Nov. 29,
“Borrowed Hearts” (2 p.m., Lifetime) See Nov. 30.
“Holiday in Handcuffs” (3 p.m., ABC Family) Melissa Joan Hart. A waitress kidnaps a hunk to join her at Christmas. 2007
“Snow” (5 p.m., ABC Family) A North Pole reindeer must be rescued from a zoo. 2004
“Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus” (6 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Lost Holiday” (6 p.m., Lifetime) Jami Gertz. As Christmas nears, an estranged couple is trapped in a blizzard. 2007
“Snow 2: Brain Freeze” (7 p.m., ABC Family) In a new sequel to “Snow,” Tom Cavanagh returns as a Santa who’s now forgotten he’s Santa. 2008. Repeated at 9 p.m.
“In Search of Santa” (8 p.m., Cartoon) Penguins are sure they found a bell from Santa’s sleigh.
“Meet the Santas” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Together Again for the First Time” (8 p.m., Lifetime) Julia Duffy. Secrets emerge as a family gathers on Christmas Eve. 2008
“Prancer” (9:15 p.m., AMC) In a kids’ movie with a little grit, a 9-year-old in Michigan finds a real reindeer and decides it needs to go back to Santa. “It doesn’t insult anyone’s intelligence,” Roger Ebert wrote.
“A Christmas Carol” (7 p.m., AMC) George C. Scott. See Dec. 7.
“Together Again for the First Time” (8 p.m., Lifetime) See Dec. 14.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” (6 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 11.
“I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Snubbed by Snoopy, Linus’ brother ReRun finds another canine friend.
“A Town Without Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“Secret Santa” (8 p.m., Lifetime) Jennie Garth. A reporter tries to find a small town’s mystery philanthropist. 2003
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) Missed it on the 8th (and on DVD)? Here’s the classic one more time, with its appreciation of the blockhead who still manages to get a nice tree.
“Holiday in Your Heart” (1 p.m., Lifetime) LeAnn Rimes. A singer must decide between a concert stage or her grandma’s bedside. 1997
“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (6 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too!” (6:30 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“Spirit of Christmas” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) Brian McKnight, Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight tap into the soul of the season.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (7 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“Finding John Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“Ebbie” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) These guys have a nice streak going with the endearingly daffy “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie” and “Elmo’s Christmas Countdown,” so there may be hope for this new arrival co-starring Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg and Uma Thurman.
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (6 p.m., ABC Family) Dylan and Cole Sprouse. A boy photographs his mother in a compromising situation. 2001
“Christmas Is Here Again” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) A young orphan girl leads a team searching for Santa’s toy sack.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., Cartoon) Animated. See Dec. 1.
“Christmas in Washington” (7 p.m., TNT) Stars sing for the president and first lady in Washington. Repeats at 10 p.m.
“Snow 2: Brain Freeze” (8 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 14.
“A Christmas Carol” (8 p.m., TNT) Patrick Stewart. Ghosts beam up Scrooge for glimpses at his past and future. 1999. Repeats at 11 p.m.
“Faith Hill: Joy to the World” (10 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) An orchestra backs up the country star in this “Soundstage” concert taped at the Sears Centre n Hoffman Estates. Look for the title song, “Silent Night” and a new one, “A Baby Changes Everything.”
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., ABC Family) Jim Carrey. See Dec. 1. Repeats at 9:30 p.m.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (7 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“Great Performances: San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker” (8 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) The company sets Tchaikovsky’s ballet at the 1915 Pan-Pacific Exposition.
“The Christmas Clause” (8 p.m., WCPX-Channel 38) Lea Thompson. Santa grants a busy mom’s wish: an alternate life as a single woman. 2008
“The Christmas Choir” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 6.
“Christmas in Connecticut” (9 p.m., TCM) Everyone thinks Elizabeth (Barbara Stanwyck) is a hostess of Martha Stewart caliber, but she’s actually a fraud facing exposure when she’s supposed to give a celebrated soldier Christmas dinner. This 1945 comedy was remade in 1992, by Arnold Schwarzenegger, for some reason.
“A Miser Brothers’ Christmas” (6 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 13.
“The Santa Clause 2” (7 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 14. Repeats at 9 p.m.
“Larry the Cable Guy’s Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza” (8 p.m., CMT) See Dec. 2.
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 13.
“A Holly Jolly Pops Holiday With the Barenaked Ladies” (9 p.m., WYCC-Channel 20) The rock group sings seasonal songs with the Boston Pops.
“A Colbert Christmas” (9 p.m., Comedy Central) See Nov. 27.
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Holiday Affair” (10:45 p.m., TCM) See Dec. 6.
“Chicago’s Very Own Holidays” (8 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) Mark Suppelsa hosts a new report on yuletides past in our town, including local astronaut Jim Lovell 1968 Christmas Eve space flight and the origins of Rudolph the shiny-schnozzed reindeer.
“All I Want for Christmas” (6 a.m., ABC Family) Ethan Embry. Kids conspire to reunite their separated parents. 1991
“A Very Brady Christmas” (8 a.m., ABC Family) Florence Henderson. Three generations somehow form a family reunion. 1988
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (10 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 17.
“Gospel Superfest Holiday 8” (11 a.m., WBBM-Channel 2) Soul stirrers including Mary Mary, Byron Cage and the Williams Brothers perform in Atlanta.
“Snow 2: Brain Freeze” (noon, ABC Family) See Dec. 14.
“A Christmas Carol” (1 p.m., TNT) Patrick Stewart. See Dec. 17.
“Jingle All the Way” (2 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 8.
“A Christmas Carol” (3:45 p.m., AMC) A holiday-hating curmudgeon finally gets the spirit. Reginald Owen. 1938
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (4 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Rick Steves’ European Christmas” (4:30 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) The travel expert examines traditions in England, Norway and elsewhere.
“Scrooge” (5 p.m., TCM) See Dec. 5.
“Silver Bells” (6 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 28.
“Elf” (7 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) See Nov. 28.
“Christmas in Wonderland” (7 p.m., ABC Family) Patrick Swayze, Carmen Electra. A broke family finds a bag of cash belonging to bumbling crooks. 2008. Repeats at 9 p.m.
“Our First Christmas” (8 p.m., Hallmark) Julie Warner. Newlyweds try to merge their families during the holiday season. 2008
“A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride” (8 p.m., Lifetime) Joanna Garcia. A wedding planner takes charge of her mother’s nuptials. 2008
“A Grandpa for Christmas” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 5.
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (11:30 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) Jonathan Taylor Thomas. A student is stranded in the desert in a Santa suit. 1998
“Lights: Celebrate Hanukkah Live in Concert” (11 a.m., WTTW-Channel 11) Musician Craig Taubman hosts a concert of Jewish songs by an eclectic bunch including saxman Dave Koz and actress Mare Winningham, a recent convert to Judaism.
“Christmas at Water’s Edge” (1:30 a.m., WGN-Channel 9) Keshia Knigh Pulliam. A rich girl doesn’t know her cabbie is an angel in training. 2004. Repeats at noon.
“ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” (6 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 8.
“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (6:30 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” (7:30 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 11.
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (9 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 2.
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” (10 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 11.
“A Miser Brothers’ Christmas” (11 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 13.
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (2 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) See Dec. 20.
“A Grandpa for Christmas” (2 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 5.
“The Legend of Frosty the Snowman” (2:30 p.m., Cartoon) Frosty cheers up a town where fun is against the rules.
“Olive, the Other Reindeer” (3:30 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 9.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (5 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“Undercover Christmas” (6 p.m., Lifetime) Jami Gertz, Tyne Daly. A cocktail waitress visits the family of the FBI agent assigned to protect her. 2003
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” (7:30 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 11.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7:30 p.m., Cartoon) Animated. See Dec. 1.
“Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 2.
“Rick Steves’ European Christmas” (10 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 20.
“Faith Hill: Joy to the World” (11 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Nov. 27.
“A Holly Jolly Pops Holiday With the Barenaked Ladies” (midnight, WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 19.
“A Tonic Sol-Fa Christmas” (1 a.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 12.
“The Polar Express” (5 p.m., ABC Family) See Nov. 28. Repeats at 7:30 p.m.
“Greatest Holiday Moments: Hilarious Home Video Countdown” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) Heartwarming and sidesplitting footage from people’s celebrations.
“Spirit of Christmas” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) See Dec. 16.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (8 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 29.
“Christmas at St. Olaf” (9 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) Choirs and an orchestra perform at the college in Minnesota.
“Christmas at Luther” (10 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) A choral and orchestral concert in Iowa builds to a massive lighting of candles.
“A Home for the Holidays With Faith Hill” (7 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) The annual special promoting adoption always has a gentle, ease-into-Christmas tone and an impressive roster of guests: This year: Melissa Etheridge, Gavin Rossdale and Jamie Foxx, among others.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., WLS-Channel 7) See Dec. 1.
“White Christmas” (5 p.m., ABC Family) See Nov. 29. Repeats at 8 p.m.
“Scrooge” (11:30 a.m., TCM) See Dec. 5.
“Great Performances: San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker” (8 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 18.
“Larry the Cable Guy’s Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza” (8 p.m., CMT) See Dec. 2.
“The Christmas Choir” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 6.
“L.A. Holiday Celebration” (10 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) More than 1,000 performers celebrate the many cultures of Los Angeles.
“Babes in Toyland” (7 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50) Drew Barrymore. Little Lisa lands in Toyland on a fateful Christmas Eve. 1986
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (8 p.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“A Town Without Christmas” (10 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) In what the American Film Institute called the most inspiring film of all time, a small-town banker is ready to throw his life away until a fledgling angel shows how much he’s mattered. Attaboy, Clarence!
“A Christmas Carol” (5:15 a.m., AMC) See Dec. 20.
“Christmas in Wonderland” (10 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 20.
“A Town Without Christmas” (10 a.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (10 a.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5. Repeats at 7 p.m.
“Holiday Affair” (11:45 a.m., TCM) See Dec. 6.
“Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July” (noon, ABC Family) See Dec. 13.
“Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” (2 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 5.
“Finding John Christmas” (2 p.m., Hallmark) See Nov. 30.
“ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas” (2:30 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 8.
“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (3 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 10.
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (4 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 2.
“The Christmas Choir” (4 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 6.
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” (5 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 11.
“A Miser Brothers’ Christmas” (6 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 13.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (6 p.m., Cartoon) Animated. See Dec. 1.
“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” (7 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) The mighty chorus performs in Utah with the King’s Singers of England.
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 1.
“The Flight Before Christmas” (7 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) See Dec. 12.
“A Christmas Story” (7 p.m., TBS) See Dec. 3. Repeats nonstop for 24 hours.
“A Renaissance Christmas” (8 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 11.
“The Story of Santa Claus” (8 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) See Dec. 5.
“A Holly Jolly Pops Holiday With the Barenaked Ladies” (8 p.m., WYCC-Channel 20) See Dec. 19.
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (8 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 13.
“Great Performances: Renee Fleming” (9 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) The soprano sings at Germany’s Mainz Cathedral.
“Faith Hill: Joy to the World” (9 p.m., WYCC-Channel 20) See Nov. 27.
“Chicago’s Very Own Holidays” (9:30 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) See Dec. 20.
“Bozo, Gar & Ray” (10 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) See Nov. 27.
“Christmas at Luther” (10 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 22.
“A Gospel Christmas” (10:35 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5)
“Voices of Christmas” (10:35 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) The National Council of Churches presents holiday music from a variety of Christian faiths.
“Christmas at St. Olaf” (11 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 22.
“Gospel Superfest Holiday 8” (11:35 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2) See Dec. 20.
“Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica” (10:35 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) Pope Benedict XVI’s service in Rome.
“A Christmas Story” (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 a.m.; 1, 3 and 5 p.m., TBS) On and on they go for 24 hours, TBS’ nonstop repeats of this 1983 favorite. You wouldn’t think a family classic would spring from the director of “Porky’s,” but kids keep eating up its cute setpieces about the icy lightpole, the leg lamp and the disfiguring Red Ryder BB gun.
“Midnight Mass from Chicago” (midnight, WGN-Channel 9) Live service from Holy Name Cathedral.
“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir” (midnight, WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 24.
“A Renaissance Christmas” (1 a.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 11.
“The Yule Log” (1:30 a.m., WGN-Channel 9) Holiday music accompanies a burning log until 6:30 a.m.
“Great Performances: Renee Fleming” (2 a.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 24.
“Christmas at Luther” (3 a.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 22.
“Christmas at St. Olaf” (4 a.m., WTTW-Channel 11) See Dec. 22.
“Christmas at Cadillac Jack’s” (5 a.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) Rose hits the road in a ’56 Chevy to find her long-lost daughter.
“Christmas in Connecticut” (6:30 a.m., TCM) See Dec. 13.
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (9 a.m., Cartoon) See Dec. 5.
“Samantha: An American Girl Holiday” (9 a.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 2.
“White Christmas” (11 a.m., ABC Family) See Dec. 23.
“A Grandpa for Christmas” (11 a.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 5.
“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (1 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 13.
“The Christmas Card” (5 p.m., Hallmark) See Dec. 7. Repeats at 9 p.m.