Holiday TV picks include films, specials, classics

The onslaught of holiday TV specials and movies began right after Thanksgiving. Some favorites have already jingled their way across TV screens, but thanks to repeats (and DVRs), there's still time to catch some new holiday-themed TV, as well as old favorites.

So cozy up in your favorite chair, get some treats and prepare for a holiday assortment of television. A suggested list follows (all dates and times are subject to change, so double-check local listings).

"A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa," NBC, 8 p.m. today: The Muppets invade the postal system.

"White Christmas" (1954), AMC, 8 and 10:45 p.m. Saturday with repeats through December: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and some wonderful music.

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," ABC, 8 p.m. Monday: An animated classic about the origins of Santa, narrated by Fred Astaire.

"Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special," Fox, 8 p.m. Monday: The "American Idol" winner sings and welcomes guests David Cook and Dolly Parton.

"Prep & Landing," ABC, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: New from the Walt Disney Animation Studios, a tale of "an elite unit of elves."

"A Charlie Brown Christmas," ABC, 8 p.m. Tuesday and Dec. 15: The Peanuts gang discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

"A Christmas Story" (1983), TNT, 10 p.m. Wednesday and a 24-hour marathon beginning at 8 p.m. Dec. 24: In the 1940s, Ralphie goes on a Christmas quest for a Red Ryder air rifle and ... oh, you know the rest ("You'll shoot your eye out").

"Yes, Virginia," CBS, 8 p.m. Dec. 11: A new animated special based on the 1897 story about a little girl's letter to a newspaper editor.

"Prancer" (1989), AMC, 8 p.m. Dec. 11 with repeats through December: If you've never seen this charmer about a little girl sheltering a reindeer, do yourself a favor and watch it (but keep the Kleenex handy).

"Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer," CBS, 8 p.m. Dec. 12: The classic about that reindeer, Santa and the Island of Misfit Toys.

"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), NBC, 8 p.m. Dec. 12: Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey in the Frank Capra classic about a Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls.

"A Christmas Carol" (1938), TCM, 9 a.m. Dec. 12 with repeats through December: This version (which some insist is the ONLY version to watch) stars Reginald Owen as Scrooge.

"Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special," ABC, 10 p.m. Dec. 13: Oprah looks at Christmas traditions in the Obama White House.

"Holiday Inn" (1942), AMC, 10:45 p.m. Dec. 13 with repeats through December: Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in the earlier version of "White Christmas."

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Cartoon Network, 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and ABC, 8 p.m. Dec. 23: Boris Karloff narrates the one and only original (sorry, Jim Carrey).

"Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas," ABC, 8 p.m. Dec. 14: The "Idol" finalist (and Oscar-winner) celebrates the holidays in Chicago with Michael Bublé.

"Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944), TCM, 9 a.m. Dec. 19 with repeats through December: The Christmas section of this set-in-1904 Judy Garland musical is a heart-tugger.

"The Lawrence Welk Show: Christmas Reunion," KCTS, 5 p.m. Dec. 19: A holiday blast from 1972.

"A Christmas Carol" (1984), AMC, 8 p.m. Dec. 20 with repeats through December: This version stars George C. Scott as Scrooge.

"National Christmas Tree Lighting 2009," KCTS, 8 p.m. Dec. 19: The lighting of the National Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., features musical guests.

"Christmas in Yellowstone," KCTS, 8 p.m. Dec. 20: This "Nature" special looks at the winter wonders of one of our national parks.

"A Home for the Holidays with Faith Hill," CBS, 8 p.m. Dec. 23: An adoption special in which the country singer is joined by Mary J. Blige, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire.

Doug Knoop: dknoop@seattletimes.com