A look at this week’s top TV draws

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Type

Time

Network

Program

Description

Comedy

9 p.m.

ABC

“According to Jim”

Jim gets into a fender-bender with a shopping mall Santa. The kids get scared. Very scared.

Drama

9 p.m.

FOX

“House”

House attempts to save a nun who swears she’s got stigmata.

Reality

9 p.m.

WB

“High School Reunion”

Old flames get rekindled. Gianni uses his hall pass. Someone secretly admires Loretta.

Movie

8 p.m.

A&E

“Karroll’s Christmas”

Yet another play on the Scrooge legend stars Tom Everett Scott and Verne Troyer.

Special

8 p.m.

Bravo

“The Christmas Special Christmas Special”

A special about specials looks at how the holiday has affected the television landscape

Sports

9 p.m.

ESPN Classic

“1998 NFC Wild Card: Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers”

Get ready for the upcoming NFL playoff runs with one of the best games of the last decade.

Talk

11:35 p.m.

CBS

“Late Show”

Craig Ferguson talks about what it’s like to walk in Craig Kilborn’s shoes.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

Type

Time

Network

Program

Description

Comedy

8:30 p.m.

FOX

“Quintuplets”

Pearce becomes an elf. Bob and Carol look to Atlantic City to provide them the funds they need to celebrate Christmas with the quints.

Drama

9 p.m.

FOX

“Kevin Hill”

Kevin gets scared when his relationship with Evelyn takes a turn for the serious.

Reality

8 p.m.

UPN

“America’s Next Top Model”

How the ladies perform in a fashion show with an unusual runway layout decides the winner tonight. And yes, someone gets a modeling contract.

Movie

9 p.m.

TNT

“A Christmas Carol”

Patrick Stewart plays the part of Ebenezer Scrooge in this 1999 update of Charles Dickens’ novel.

Special

8 p.m.

TNT

“Christmas in Washington 2004”

Dr. Phil hosts the holiday-themed event starring LeAnn Rimes and Ruben Studdard.

Sports

8 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball: Pistons at Knicks”

The champions head into Madison Square Garden looking to continue their winning ways.

Talk

12:35 a.m.

NBC

“Late Night”

Liam Neeson stops by Conan’s desk to promote his award-winning turn in Kinsey.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

Type

Time

Network

Program

Description

Comedy

10 p.m.

Comedy Central

“Drawn Together”

The reality cartoon spoof continues as the characters rebel against the “reality TV twist”.

Drama

8 p.m.

FOX

“The O.C.”

Jimmy and Julie try to keep their newfound “respect” for each other between the sheets.

Reality

8 p.m.

NBC

“The Apprentice”

Drum roll, please. Tonight someone gets hired after Jen runs an NBA charity game and Kelly runs a polo match. Both are assisted by fired contestants.

Movie

8 p.m.

ABC Family

“The Five People You Meet in Heaven”

After hitting ratings success last week, ABC repeats the Mitch Albom adaptation hoping for more gold.

Special

8 p.m.

ABC

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

The annual airing of the classic special cause a whole new generation to exclaim “Good Grief”.

Sports

10 p.m.

TNT

“NBA Basketball: Lakers at Kings”

A little California rivalry unfolds. Last year, the Lakers lost both games at Arco Arena.

Talk

11:35 p.m.

CBS

“Late Show”

Kate Beckinsale talks about The Aviator and Ciara sings with Missy Elliot.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

Type

Time

Network

Program

Description

Comedy

8:30 p.m.

ABC

“Complete Savages”

The three oldest guys work in a lingerie store to buy their girlfriends Christmas gifts—er, lingerie.

Drama

10 p.m.

NBC

“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”

In a strong repeat, the detectives unravel a criminal’s plans to blow up bank robbing accomplice.

Reality

11 p.m.

VH1

“Best Year Ever”

Find out which artists had their best year ever in 2004. Someone named Simpson will likely be one of them.

Movie

8 p.m.

NBC

“Secret Santa”

Jennie Garth stars in the successful made-for-TV from last year about, you guessed it, the meaning of Christmas.

Special

9 p.m.

FOX

“Jingle Ball Rock”

Big name pop music stars like Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavigne sing some Christmas tunes and surprise us with a few of their own tunes as well.

Sports

8 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball: Nuggets at Heat”

The Heat melted Carmello and co. last time they met in Miami. Can Shaq help them repeat this feat?

Talk

11:30 p.m.

NBC

“The Tonight Show”

The winner of “The Apprentice” shows up to discuss his or her future life with The Donald.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

Type

Time

Network

Program

Description

Comedy

11 p.m.

FOX

“Mad TV”

Celebrate the holidays with everyone ranging from Nelly to the Bush family. And play drinking games with Anna Nicole Smith’s impersonator, Stephnie Weir.

Drama

9 p.m.

CBS

“Cold Case”

In this repeat, Rush investigates another, well, cold case involving a man murdered in front of his client.

Reality

8:30 p.m.

FOX

“Cops”

A K-9 unit investigates a suspicious vehicle and a high speed chase ensues. Wait, that sounds familiar.

Movie

8 p.m.

NBC

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

If it’s Christmas with the Griswolds, there must be mischief and mayhem. And Chevy Chase.

Special

8 p.m.

CBS

“The Story of Santa Claus”

The animated special that details the origin of Mr. and Mrs. Claus gets a repeat airing.

Sports

1:30 p.m.

CBS

“NFL Football: Steelers at Giants”

They haven’t played since 2000. Has everything changed, or will the Giants rack up another win to add to their all-time series record of 43-27-3?

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

Type

Time

Network

Program

Description

Comedy

7 p.m.

FOX

“King of the Hill”

An old woman who used to live in the Hills’ house returns for the holidays—to die.

Drama

9 p.m.

ABC

“Desperate Housewives”

Lynette’s PTA rival riles up Bree with gossip about the hospitalized Rex, who may soon be wishing he was dead. Carlos gives Gaby a taste of her own medicine.

Reality

8 p.m.

E!

“True Hollywood Story”

If you’re still having “Survivor” withdrawal a week after the series finale, get the inside story of the hit reality series here.

Movie

8 p.m.

WB

“The Wizard of Oz”

Gather the family around the Xmas tree and watch another annual classic.

Special

6:30 p.m.

HIST

“Rwanda: Do Scars Ever Fade”

A documentary featuring eyewitness reports about the 1994 genocide and its aftermath.

Sports

1 p.m.

FOX

“NFL Football: Seahawks at Jets”

With a win this afternoon, the Jets can tie up the all-time series, which favors the Seahawks 8-7.