Your guide to Christmas TV shows

  • By Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times
  • Monday, November 26, 2012 5:18pm
  • Life

The turkey has been barely packed away and already the holiday TV blizzard is brewing.

To help you get with the program, we’ve compiled this list of prime-time yuletide offerings, beginning with the roster of new shows. That’s followed by a rundown of airdates for the perennials.

Keep in mind that dates and times are subject to change and that many shows will have re-airings not indicated here.

Music, comedy and holiday cheer

“Christmas in Rockefeller Center”: Trace Adkins, Mariah Carey, CeeLo Green and others help light up the big tree in the Big Apple. (8 p.m. Wednesday, NBC).

“SNL Christmas”: A collection of fan-favorite holiday sketches from “Saturday Night Live.” (9 p.m. Wednesday, NBC).

“Blake Shelton’s Not-So-Family Christmas”: “The Voice” coach celebrates with Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Larry the Cable Guy, Jay Leno and Reba. (10 p.m. Dec. 3, NBC; Re-airs 9 p.m. Dec. 14).

“Michael Buble: Home for the Holidays” : The Grammy winner sings seasonal standards with guests Rod Stewart, Blake Shelton and Carly Rae Jepsen. (10 p.m. Dec. 10, NBC; Re-airs 8 p.m., Dec. 21).

“Christmas in the White House”: A peek behind the scenes at holiday preparations in the Obama household. (8 p.m. Dec. 13, NBC; re-airs 9 p.m. Dec. 21).

“Ramsay’s Christmas Cookalong”: Chef Gordon Ramsay invites viewers into his home as he shares tips on how to create a fun, festive and a stress-free Christmas morning in the kitchen. (9 p.m. Dec. 18, BBC America).

“CMA Country Christmas”: Jennifer Nettles hosts a festive night of music that includes appearances by Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Keith Urban and others. (9 p.m. Dec. 20, ABC; re-airs 9 p.m. Dec. 22).

“The Doctor Who Christmas Special”: The Doctor’s holiday adventure sees him once again crossing paths with the homo-reptilian Silurian Madame Vastra. (9 p.m. Dec. 25, BBC America).

Holiday movie comfort food

“The Christmas Consultant”: A workaholic couple hires a consultant (David Hasselhoff) to help them get through the holidays. (7 p.m. Dec. 2, Lifetime).

“The Mistle-Tones”: Tori Spelling and Tia Mowry star as the leaders of rival singing groups. (8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 9, ABC Family).

“Hallmark Hall of Fame: Christmas with Holly”: Sean Faris and Eloise Mumford star in this tale about an uncle struggling to raise his 6-year-old niece. (9 p.m. Dec. 9, ABC).

Classics

Here’s a rundown of returning programs, including the keepsakes:

Tonight: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 25)

“Shrek the Halls” (8:30 p.m., ABC)

Wednesday: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 18)

Saturday: “It’s a Wonderful Life” (8 p.m., NBC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 24)

Monday: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (8 and 10 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 4: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (8 p.m., CBS)

Dec. 5: “The Polar Express” (9 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 6: “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (8 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 7: “The Santa Claus” (7 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 8: “The Flight Before Christmas” (9 p.m., CBS)

Dec. 9: “Disney Prep &Landing” (8 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 24)

“Prep &Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” (8:30 p.m., ABC; re-airs 8 p.m. Dec. 22)

Dec. 10: “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (8 p.m., ABC Family)

“Home Alone’ (9 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 11: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (8 p.m., ABC)

“A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” (9 p.m., The CW)

Dec. 14: “Prancer Returns” (8 p.m., The CW)

“Yes, Virginia” (9 p.m., CBS)

“Elf on the Shelf” (9:30 p.m., CBS)

Dec. 15: “Elf” (8 p.m., CBS)

Dec. 18: “It’s a Very Muppet Christmas Movie” (8 p.m., The CW)

Dec. 19: “Noel” (8 p.m., The CW)

Dec. 20 : “I Want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown” (8 p.m., ABC)

Dec. 22: “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” (8 p.m., NBC)

“The Santa Claus 2” (8 p.m., ABC family)

“A Chipmunk Christmas” (8:30 p.m., ABC)

Dec. 24: “The Santa Claus 3” (7 p.m., ABC Family)

“Christmas Is Here Again” (8 p.m., The CW)

“A Christmas Story” (24-hour marathon, 8 p.m., TBS)

“Second Star to the Right” (9:30 p.m., The CW)

Dec. 25: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” — live-action version. (8:30 p.m., ABC)

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