Strike can’t ruin classic holiday TV

Many of the specials on the schedule are favorites from years past.

By RICK BENTLEY

FRESNO (CALIF.) BEE

The number of new television shows being made is dwindling. But the current writers strike won’t have much effect on holiday programming. From now until the end of the year, the network and cable channels will be loaded with holiday shows. Some are new programs finished before the strike. But the majority of the shows are holiday favorites that have aired for years.

That’s why the fate of some unhappy toys will once again be revealed on “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys.” And viewers will again learn that one man can make a difference in life with the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Those are just a few of the holiday treats slated to air over the next few weeks. Here are a few more:

“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” 9 a.m. today, NBC: Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer host the 81st edition of the New York event.

“Modern Girl’s Guide to the Holidays,” 8 p.m. Friday, Style Network: Trend expert Jane Buckingham offers viewers holiday gift ideas from the lavishly luxurious to the buying-on-a-budget options.

“Decked for the Holidays,” 9 p.m. Friday, HGTV: Viewers will find everything from decor tips to creating the perfect holiday party.

“Gift Show 2007,” 9 p.m. Sunday, HGTV: Hosts Shane Tallant and Sabrina Soto travel to two of the country’s biggest gift expos to show viewers the most unique gifts available.

“Holiday Giftnanza,” 9 p.m. Sunday, DIY Network: The one-hour special brings six crafting all-stars together to create some do-it-yourself projects that make for holiday presents.

“Decorating Cents,” 9 p.m. Tuesday, HGTV: A crew of designers pitch in to help a recent widower brighten up the family home for the holidays.

“24 Hour Design,” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, HGTV: Angelo Surmelis prepares a couple’s living and dining area for the holidays.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 8 p.m. Tuesday, ABC: Charlie Brown looks for the true meaning of the holidays.

“Shrek the Halls,” 8 p.m. Wednesday, ABC: It’s Christmas Eve and everyone is filled with holiday cheer — except for Shrek.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, ABC: Jim Carrey plays the creature with the small heart who tries to ruin Christmas in Whoville.

“The Polar Express,” 8 p.m. Nov. 30, ABC: A doubting boy goes on a trip to meet Santa.

“Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” 8 p.m. Dec. 1, NBC: The special offers a look at scenes from the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall.

“Holiday Switch,” 9 p.m. Dec. 1, Lifetime: Nicole Eggert (“Gilmore Girls”) stars as a struggling housewife who wonders if she married the wrong man.

“Christmas Every Day,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, ABC Family: Billy Jackson is not having a good Christmas, and he tells his little sister Sarah that there is no Santa.

“Santa Who?,” 9:30 p.m. Dec. 1, ABC Family: Santa Claus (Leslie Nielsen) develops amnesia after accidentally falling out of his sleigh.

“Pictures of Hollis Woods,” 9 p.m. Dec. 2, CBS: Sissy Spacek stars in this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation.

“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year,” 7 p.m. Dec. 3, ABC Family: The baby New Year, Happy, is missing.

“The Year Without a Santa Claus,” 8 p.m. Dec. 3, ABC Family: Mrs. Claus talks about the time Santa had a bad cold and decided to take a vacation from Christmas.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys,” 9 p.m. Dec. 3, ABC Family: When the Evil Toy Taker takes all of Santa’s toys, it’s up to Rudolph and his friends to stop him.

“Snow,” 7 p.m. Dec. 4, ABC Family: Nick (Tom Cavanagh) reluctantly takes over the family business.

“Santa Baby,” 9 p.m. Dec. 4, ABC Family: Mary Claus (Jenny McCarthy) is a business executive who happens to be the daughter of Santa Claus.

“’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” 7 p.m. Dec. 5, ABC Family: Residents of a small town find their letters to Santa Claus have been returned.

“The Story of the First Christmas Snow,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, ABC Family: A nun tries to describe snow to a young shepherd who has been blinded by lightning.

“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” 8 p.m. Dec. 5, ABC Family: A boy snaps a picture of his mom kissing Santa.

“Once Upon a Christmas,” 7 p.m. Dec. 6, ABC Family: Santa’s daughter (Kathy Ireland) must turn from naughty to nice to save Christmas.

“Twice Upon a Christmas,” 9 p.m. Dec. 6, ABC Family: Santa’s daughter (Kathy Ireland) faces a difficult decision.

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” 7 p.m. Dec. 7, ABC Family: Fred Astaire narrates this tale of Kriss Kringle (Mickey Rooney).

“Monk,” 9 p.m. Dec. 7, USA: In “Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa,” the detective must defend himself after he shoots a man dressed as Santa.

“The Santa Clause 2,” 7 p.m. Dec. 8, ABC Family: Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) faces new problems as Santa Claus.

“Lost Holiday: The Jim and Suzanne Shemwell Story,” 9 p.m. Dec. 8, Lifetime: Jami Gertz (“Still Standing”) and Dylan Walsh (“Nip/Tuck”) portray an estranged couple caught in a snowstorm.

“Sons of Mistletoe,” 10 a.m. Dec. 9, ABC Family: An heiress (Roma Downey) comes to town to sell off her father’s belongings.

“Santa Jr.,” noon, Dec. 9, ABC Family: Chris Kringle Jr. gets arrested.

“Stealing Christmas,” 2 p.m. Dec. 9, ABC Family: A crook hides from the law by playing Santa Claus at a tree lot.

“Holiday in Handcuffs,” 8 p.m. Dec. 9, ABC Family: Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez star in this story about a woman who has a breakdown at Christmas and desperately kidnaps a handsome guy to take home to her parents.

“What’s With That Really Decked Out Christmas House?,” 9 p.m. Dec. 9, HGTV: A look at folks who enjoy transforming their lawns into an out-of-this-world holiday display.

“An Accidental Christmas,” 9 p.m. Dec. 9, Lifetime: Cynthia Gibb (“A Crime of Passion”) stars in the story of a couple, separated after 15 years of marriage, who are manipulated by their children into spending Christmas vacation together.

“A Rugrats Chanukah,” 4 p.m. Dec. 10, Nickelodeon: The infants tell the story of Chanukah.

“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,” 10 p.m. Dec. 10, Travel Channel: Anthony Bourdain agrees to prepare the Christmas meal.

“Jack Frost,” 7 p.m. Dec. 11, ABC Family: The Groundhog tells the story of how, for once, Jack Frost became human.

“Walt Disney World Holiday Special With Samantha Brown,” 8 p.m. Dec. 11, Travel Channel: A look at the theme park during the holidays.

“The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus,” 10 p.m. Dec. 11, ABC Family: The Great Ak calls a council among the Immortals to ask that Santa Claus be granted the Mantle of Immortality.

“Frosty’s Winter Wonderland,” 7 p.m. Dec. 12, ABC Family: Children decide to make Frosty a bride.

“Christmas in Washington,” 10 p.m. Dec. 12, TNT: Ne-Yo, Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Jackson, Andrea Bocelli, Colbie Caillat, Heather Headley and Katharine McPhee will perform.

“COPS,” 8 p.m. Dec. 15, Fox: This is a “Ho Ho Ho” special edition.

“Deserving Design, 9 p.m. Dec. 12, HGTV: Vern Yip spreads holiday cheer to Atlanta firefighters.

“Design on a Dime,” 9:30 p.m. Dec. 12, HGTV: Kahi Lee, Spencer Anderson and Abraham Hopkins create a classic Victorian Christmas.

“The Little Drummer Boy,” 7 p.m. Dec. 13, ABC Family: An orphan drummer boy meets three wise men on route to Bethlehem.

“The Christmas List,” 7 p.m. Dec. 14, ABC Family: A woman decides to make a Christmas list.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” 8 p.m. Dec. 14 and 8 p.m. Dec. 24, NBC: Jimmy Stewart stars in the holiday classic about a man who gets a glimpse of how the world would be if he had not been born.

“A Mom for Christmas,” 8 a.m. Dec. 15, ABC Family: A girl’s wish brings a mannequin to life and into her life as her mom for Christmas.

“A Christmas Romance,” 10 a.m. Dec. 15, ABC Family: A single mother (Olivia Newton John) and a banker find each other.

“Christmas Caper,” noon, Dec. 15, ABC Family: A thief (Shannen Doherty) is forced into hiding.

“Chasing Christmas,” 2 p.m. Dec. 15, ABC Family: This version of the classic Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” stars Tom Arnold.

“Snowglobe,” 8 p.m. Dec. 15, ABC Family: A mystical snow globe transports Angela (Christina Milian) into an idyllic Christmas winter wonderland.

“Christmas in Paradise,” 9 p.m. Dec. 15, Lifetime: Charlotte Ross and Colin Ferguson star in this film about two families whose idyllic holiday vacation is shattered by a visitor from one of their pasts.

“White House Christmas 2007,” 8:30 p.m. Dec. 16, HGTV: Sabrina Soto takes viewers on a tour of the president’s residence.

“Holiday Windows 2007,” 9 p.m. Dec. 16, HGTV: A look at the creation of holiday window displays.

“Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring Sissel,” 9 p.m. Dec. 19, PBS: European singing sensation Sissel joins the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square for an annual holiday concert.

“Christmas at St. Olaf: Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide,” 10 p.m. Dec. 19, PBS: The choirs and orchestra of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., perform.

“Eloise at Christmastime,” 3 p.m. Dec. 22, ABC Family: Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) plays matchmaker to ensure that true love will save the day.

“Elmo’s Christmas Countdown,” 7 p.m. Dec. 23, ABC: When the 10 numbered boxes to Stiller the Elf’s magical Christmas Counter-Downer become lost, the arrival of Christmas is in doubt.

“Christmas Day Marathon,” 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Dec. 25, Animal Planet: It’s a day of wombats, snakes, whales, octopuses, and pygmy elephants in episodes of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.”