“24: Redemption” (8 p.m., Fox): Our long national nightmare is over. After an

“24: Redemption” (8 p.m., Fox): Our long national nightmare is over. After an agonizingly excessive layoff, Jack Bauer finally returns to prime time in this turbo-charged movie that sets the stage for January’s Season 7. This time our sleep-deprived action hero is pitted against a vicious African warlord who is coercing children to join his militia. Lots of things are blown up along the way.

“2008 American Music Awards” (8 p.m., ABC): As far as we know, Jimmy Kimmel can’t carry a tune, but he’s our host for the “2008 American Music Awards.” Scheduled performers include Christina Aguilera, Beyonc , Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, the Fray, the Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, New Kids on the Block, Pink, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Kanye West.

“Al Roker Reporting: Armed in America” (10 p.m., MSNBC): Every 18 minutes, someone in America dies from gun violence. Al Roker takes a look at the reasons, as well as some approaches to reducing gun violence, on an MSNBC documentary, “Al Roker Reporting: Armed in America.” Roker goes behind the scenes, teaming up with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to investigate how this federal agency is battling the problem. He discovers how firearms can wind up in the wrong hands, how ATF forensic specialists match bullets to guns used for crime, and the role that firearms play in drug trafficking and gang violence. This is the first in a series of investigative documentaries from Roker planned by MSNBC in the coming months.

“A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All” (10 p.m., Comedy Central): Stephen Colbert stars in the coolest TV holiday special ever. With a nod to the bad ideas of network seasonal specials of the past, Colbert presents “A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All.” It contains everything that a forced network extravaganza has — canned applause, ill-fitting guest stars, cheap sets, dumb production numbers and fake sentiment. Colbert dances, prances, sings and zings for most of the side-splitting hour. He has masterminded a splendid parody of such TV spectacles, done with his wicked and edgy sense of style. This special won’t be for everyone, of course, because Colbert can be sharply inappropriate. His Christmas spectacular is irreverent and not sanctimonious. It’s purposely cheesy and wildly funny. The story hanging the special together has Colbert snowbound in a mountain cabin, wanting to get back to his studios to tape a Christmas special with Elvis Costello. A bear outside the cabin’s door keeps Colbert at bay. In the process of wishing and praying for a miracle, Colbert can’t believe his eyes when he spots a miniature Willie Nelson, who happens to appear dressed as a shepherd in a Nativity display. Nelson also sings the ballad “The Little Dealer Boy.” Toby Keith sings how Christmas is more than a religious holiday — it’s an American duty to celebrate. John Legend belts a sexy song about what needs to be in eggnog after Colbert remarks on his homemade concoction: “There’s enough rum in here to blind a pirate.” Jon Stewart sings about Hanukkah, though Colbert isn’t so interested in hearing about it.

Colbert is the true leader of satire these days. Most of the time, his forte is politics through “The Colbert Report.” This special, however, reveals that his talents in this arena are boundless.

“Entourage” (10 p.m., HBO): Will Vince get his career back?