SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
A Very Soapy Christmas (SOAPnet, 1 p.m. ET) Premiere. Several weeks ago, a number of actors from ABC's three soap operas got together to record a Christmas album titled A Holiday Affair. Their recording sessions were filmed for this special, which also includes clips of the stars recalling holiday memories and sharing family home videos. Among the performers are One Life to Live stars Kathy Brier, Renee Goldsberry, Kassie DePaiva, Tika Sumpter and Kristen Alderson; All My Children stars Susan Lucci, Jacob Young, Eden Riegel, Vincent Irizarry and Bobbie Eakes; and Jason Thompson, Scott Clifton and Ignacio Serricchio of General Hospital.
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, 8 p.m. ET) Live. More than 150 canines vie for the coveted title of Best in Show at the annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Dog Show, telecast live from the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. Bob Goen and Leanza Cornett are the hosts. Live coverage of this two-day event will continue Sunday on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel at 8 p.m. ET.
The Christmas Card (Hallmark Channel, 9 p.m. ET) Premiere. A career soldier stationed overseas takes a leave of absence to travel to California in search of a young woman who sent him a deeply personal but anonymous Christmas card in this moving holiday story starring John Newton, Alice Evans and Ed Asner.
CMT Crossroads (CMT, 9 p.m. ET) Premiere. Fleetwood Mac front man Lindsey Buckingham and contemporary country group Little Big Town team up for performances of their greatest hits. Buckingham also performs a song from "Under the Skin," his first album in nearly 15 years.
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30 p.m. ET) Live. Matthew Fox is the host, with musical guest Tenacious D (that would be Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who refer to themselves as the "Greatest Band on Earth").
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
The Librarian: The Return to King Solomon's Mines (TNT, 8 p.m. ET) Premiere. Noah Wyle (ER) reprises his role of Flynn Carson, a brilliant man with 22 academic degrees hired to protect the secret repository of humanity's greatest artifacts, located beneath the huge Metropolitan Library, in this sequel to the blockbuster 2004 TNT Original Movie The Librarian: Quest for the Spear. This time the unlikely hero continues to nurture his inner-adventurer by searching for the fabled mines of King Solomon, with the assistance of a brilliant and beautiful archaeologist who may actually be smarter than Flynn. Olympia Dukakis, Bob Newhart and Jane Curtain reprise their roles from the first movie as Flynn's mother Margie, library curator Judson and archives caretaker Charlene, respectively. Directed by Jonathan Frakes.
Inside the Volcano (History Channel, 8 p.m. ET) Premiere. This documentary looks at some of the best-known volcanic eruptions in history, from Vesuvius to Mt. St. Helens, as well as past and present volcanic activity around the world, and it makes clear that eruptions are a crucial component of the earth's cycle of rejuvenation. Included: A look at a possible super-volcano percolating beneath Yellowstone National Park.
VH1 Big in '06 Awards (VH1, 9 p.m. ET) D.L. Hughley hosts VH1's annual awards show honoring the previous year's most memorable entertainment and media personalities and events as determined by viewer voting (at http://big.vh1.com). Fergie, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Dennis DeYoung, The Killers and The Fray will perform. Justin Timberlake, Eva Longoria, Kiefer Sutherland, Joey Lawrence, Lance Bass, Ice-T, Tommy Lee, Danny Bonaduce, Mario Lopez, Katharine McPhee, Stephen Colbert, Masi Oka and YouTube personality Jessica Rose (better known as lonelygirl15) are among the celebrities scheduled to appear. VH1 reality series superstar Flavor Flav will be the network's backstage correspondent throughout the show.
Holiday Windows 2006 (HGTV, 9 p.m. ET) Premiere. The extraordinary holiday window displays at Macy's, Barney's, Bloomingdale's and other major Manhattan department stores are featured in this special hosted by designer Lonnie Hanzon.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4
Billboard Music Awards (Fox, 8 p.m. ET) Live. Two hours. Janet Jackson, Fergie, The Killers, Gwen Stefani, The Fray, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Pharrell and Young Jeezy are scheduled to perform at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, telecast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The awards are determined by the performances of songs and artists on Billboard's multitude of charts in all music categories. Also scheduled to appear: Carrie Underwood, Carmen Electra, Dave Navarro, Flavor Flav, Three 6 Mafia, Bowling for Soup, Celine Dion, Chris Brown, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and the cast of High School Musical. Tony Bennett will receive the Century Award. Among the finalists are Chris Brown, Nickelback and Rascal Flatts for Artist of the Year; Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and Sean Paul for Male Artist of the Year; and Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna for Female Artist of the Year. Nickelback's "All the Right Reasons," Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" and the High School Musical soundtrack are the finalists for Album of the Year.
The Closer (TNT, 8 p.m. ET) Premiere. This two-hour special presentation of The Closer, which should help appease frustrated fans during the long wait between summer seasons, features the work of two directors: Arvin Brown (hour one) and Kevin Bacon (hour two). Bacon, of course, is the husband of series' star Kyra Sedgwick, whose portrayal of Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson of the LAPD's Priority Homicide Division earned her Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations earlier this year. In this story, Brenda is called upon by her former CIA mentor to help with an off-the-record investigation of a would-be defector found murdered in Los Angeles. William Daniels is the guest star.
Heroes (NBC, 9 p.m. ET) Fall season finale. According to the promos airing on NBC, this is the last original episode of Heroes until early next year, and before it's over an established character is going to die. Also, we'll learn more about the nuclear bombing of New York City that Isaac predicted in one of his paintings and see his latest disturbing work, while mind reader Matt will pursue a break in the Sylar case and Niki will take dramatic steps to protect her family from murderous Jessica.
Supernanny (ABC, 9 p.m. ET) Season Premiere. To spank or not to spank? That is the question as Jo Frost tackles one of her most difficult challenges to date: Convincing a woman who was spanked, slapped and hit with a belt when she was a child to stop doing the same to her unruly kids and trying to get her busy husband more involved in taking care of the family.
The Eleventh Hour (BBC America, 9 p.m. ET) U.S. Series Premiere. Patrick Stewart plays Professor Ian Hood, a former physics professor recruited by the government to serve as a troubleshooter in cases involving people who are utilizing new technologies to commit criminal acts. In the opener of this four-episode series, Hood is on the trail of a sinister Italian scientist who is determined to create a human clone. Ashley Jensen co-stars as Hood's ultra efficient bodyguard.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5
Friday Night Lights (NBC, 8 p.m. ET) Lyla and Tim are ostracized by their friends as rumors about their relationship spread throughout Dillon, "Smash" continues to put his health at risk by taking performance enhancing drugs, Matt and Julie suffer an awkward first date and the Panthers prepare for a game against the intimidating team from Gatling High.
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (ABC, 8 p.m. ET) This 1970 holiday favorite features the voices of Fred Astaire as the narrator; Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle, the young boy who seeks to do good things for others, and Paul Frees as Burgermeister Meisterburger, the evil ruler who bans toys throughout the land. Given the success ABC has been having lately with classic Charlie Brown holiday specials from the Sixties and Seventies expect a large audience to tune in for this telecast, too.
Fashion House (MyNetworkTV, 9 p.m. ET) Series Finale. Fashion House -- the more unabashedly, unashamedly trashy of the two serials launched by MyNetworkTV this fall -- reaches its conclusion tonight. From what little we have seen of this show, it seems to have the potential for an ongoing weekly series, should MyNetworkTV ever decide to change its programming philosophy. As seen on the far superior Ugly Betty (like Fashion House an adaptation of an existing telenovela), the fashion industry and related businesses are filled with endless potential for stories that are both over the top and deeply personal. For what it's worth, MyNetworkTV's other maiden serial, Desire, also ends tonight, at 8 p.m. ET.
Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (CBS, 10 p.m. ET) Premiere. CBS' annual holiday hour filled with beautiful women wearing next to nothing -- and cameras capturing every inch of lingerie and flesh throughout -- will be telecast from Los Angeles this year and will feature Justin Timberlake performing songs from his new album "FutureSex/LoveSounds." Also included: Interviews with the models and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this sexy show.
Boston Legal (ABC, 10 p.m. ET) Now that Shirley Schmidt has been rescued from eccentric whack-job Lincoln Meyer and Gracie Jane has recovered from her head trauma, fans can relax and enjoy what is sure to be an unforgettable Christmas party at the offices of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. Amid the merriment, Brad, Jeffrey and Denise represent a woman who wants to sue God after her husband is struck by lightning and Denny helps a woman whose anorexic daughter is seeking emancipation.
Bad Girls Club (Oxygen, 10 p.m. ET) Series Premiere. Seven young women ranging in age from 22-32 who have past histories of lying, cheating and other irresponsible behavior and who all have issues when it comes to trusting other women share a house together in this 22-episode series from Jon Murray, the co-creator of the long-running MTV reality series about groups of seven young people living together in the same houses, The Real World. If this show is anything like Real World, expect lots of fussin', fightin' and boozin', but probably not as much sex, at least not between housemates.
Campus Ladies (Oxygen, 11 p.m. ET) Season Premiere. Carrie Aizley and Christen Sussin return for a second season of this largely improvised sitcom about two middle-aged housewives who become college freshmen at age 40, seeking the wild college experiences they missed in their younger years. Among the guest stars set to appear this season are Megan Mullally, Sean Hayes, Jason Alexander, Penny Marshall, Beverly D'Angelo, Janeane Garofalo, Mo'Nique, Rob Corddry, Jeff Garlin and Rob Riggle, which might make this Oxygen's most star-studded series ever.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6
The King of Queens (CBS, 8 p.m. ET) Season Premiere. The ninth season of CBS' most under-appreciated series begins with two episodes. In the first, Carrie pressures Doug to invest their tax return check and he impulsively buys an ice cream truck, inadvertently fomenting a turf war with another ice cream truck operator. In the second, a woman mistakes Doug for a man with whom she has just spent a romantic weekend and, to Doug's dismay, Carrie isn't jealous when she hears phone messages the woman has left for him. Kevin James, Leah Remini and Jerry Stiller star.
America's Next Top Model (The CW, 8 p.m. ET) Season Finale. The final three models compete in a commercial and a photo shoot, the outcomes of which determine the two finalists in this season's competition. Then the final two must master a cavernous catwalk wearing couture bridal gowns, after which the judges choose a winner. The CW promises one last catfight before it's all over.
Wicked Wicked Games (MyNetworkTV, 8 p.m. ET) Series Premiere. Tatum O'Neal stars as Blythe Hunter, a woman who was ditched by the man she loved 25 years ago so that he could take up with another woman more capable of advancing his career. Apparently time wounds all heals, because a quarter century later Blythe is obsessed with destroying the creep, now a wealthy widower and racetrack owner with two beautiful daughters, and she uses her handsome twin sons as pawns in her devious plans. Geez, this sounds even trashier than Fashion House! Clive Robertson and Joan Severance co-star.
White House Christmas 2006 (HGTV, 8 p.m. ET) Premiere. Robin McGraw (best-selling author and wife of Dr. Phil) hosts this look inside the President's residence to see the work of the many decorators, bakers and volunteers who turn the White House into a Christmas showplace. If you aren't going to be one of the estimated 45,000 people who visit the White House during the holiday season to admire the trimmings, this is your chance!
Explorer: Attack of the Killer Bees (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m. ET) Premiere. Here's something else to worry about: Savage killer bees are expanding their range by 200 miles per year, have pushed farther north than scientists thought possible and are now colonizing in the southern United States. This edition of Explorer has all the details. Did you know that a single swarm of killer bees has at its disposal over 80,000 stingers, or that they have been known to chase their prey for more than a quarter mile and can kill creatures as large as horses? What's being done to stop them? For that matter, can they be stopped? You had better pay attention.
Watch Over Me (MyNetworkTV, 9 p.m. ET) Series Premiere. The other new serial debuting tonight on MyNetworkTV -- the one not starring Tatum O'Neal -- is all about Julia Rivera, a graduate student engaged to a ruthless multi-millionaire who falls in love with her bodyguard, an ex-military operative. Dayanara Torres, Marc Menard and Todd Calhoun star. Real life husband and wife Casper Van Dien and Catherine Oxenberg play the millionaire's personal assistant and top assassin, respectively.
Dirty Dancing (WE, 10 p.m. ET) Series Premiere. Cris Judd hosts this eight-part reality series in which aspiring dancers compete for a contract. It's inspired by the 1987 classic (and current basic cable staple) Dirty Dancing, which will precede this show at 8 p.m. ET.
Twentyfourseven (MTV, 10:30 p.m. ET; also free today on iTunes) Series Premiere. This is yet another reality series about seven young people sharing a house together. But these housemates are all guys, all friends and all pursuing careers in the highly competitive entertainment industry, from acting to singing to producing and promoting. It probably goes without saying that the house is in Hollywood.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7
Smallville (The CW, 8 p.m. ET) In a change of pace episode that does not feature the Green Arrow or a sinister escapee from the Phantom Zone, Clark discovers that his neighbor is holding migrant workers captive and forcing them to work on his farm.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m. ET) The Winchester brothers head for Oregon in search of answers after Sam has a vision of Dean killing a young man who appears to be possessed by a demon, only to come upon a town infected by a deadly virus that drives people to kill. When Sam becomes infected, Dean is moved to share a life-changing secret with him.
Men in Trees (ABC, 10 p.m. ET) While anxiously awaiting Marin's return from her Thanksgiving trip to New York City, Jack is caught off guard by someone from his past that suddenly turns up in Elmo. Meanwhile, Annie feels that Patrick neglected her during Thanksgiving dinner and Jane and Sam spend some romantic time together in New York. Anne Heche stars.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBS, 8 p.m. ET) It's the 42nd telecast (the 34th on CBS) of the most wonderful Christmas special of all. This is the digitally re-mastered version from 1998 -- that's why Santa's elves are wearing suits that are blue again, rather than the faded green color they had taken on after three-plus decades. Also, the songs "We are Santa's Elves" and "We're a Couple of Misfits" have been restored to their full length and clarity. Rudolph, Clarice, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Bumble have never looked or sounded better. If you don't know the story, can't sing any of the songs from the score by Johnny Marks and you aren't aware that the legendary Burl Ives provided the voice of narrator Sam the Snowman … well, shame on you!
Frosty the Snowman (CBS, 9 p.m. ET) The voices of Jimmy Durante, Jackie Vernon and Billy De Wolfe are featured in this Christmas special, first telecast on CBS back in 1969, about a "jolly, happy" snowman brought to life by a villainous professor who makes an adventure-filled journey to the North Pole to avoid melting.
Frosty Returns (CBS, 9:30 p.m. ET) CBS wraps its night of classic Christmas specials with a newer effort first broadcast in 1995. It's Frosty Returns, in which the magical snowman from the 1969 favorite ill advisedly visits the snow covered town of Beansborough just as the locals are testing a new snow-removal spray. Jonathan Winters is the narrator, with John Goodman providing the voice of Frosty.
Masters of Horror (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET) This week's chiller is a story about a virus that turns men into psychotic killers who attack every woman they meet. Jason Priestly and Elliot Gould star.