Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Sunday, Dec. 25. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Doctor Who (BBC America, 9 p.m.): Did you think we here at What’s On Tonight would leave you on this holiday weekend? Did you think we’d forget about you? Honestly, we’d really rather do so, since our mom’s cookies are pretty damn good, but duty calls and all that. Keith Phipps checks out the latest Christmas special from the good folks at Doctor Who, and it looks like this year, there’s going to be some serious homage-ing going on to C.S. Lewis, instead of Charles Dickens like last year. (Oh, and happy holidays from all of us here at What’s On Tonight. So, happy holidays from me.)
REGULAR COVERAGE
Leverage (TNT, 9 p.m.): We have no idea why TNT’s airing a new episode on Christmas, but with star turns from David Ogden Stiers and Emma Caulfield, and direction from Jonathan Frakes, Phil Nugent can barely contain himself.
TV CLUB ADVENT CALENDAR
Three Christmas Carols (Friday): We turned Zack Handlen loose on three different versions of A Christmas Carol, and you folks were still upset that we didn’t get to your favorites. Sheesh. Wait until next year, when Zack covers 75 versions.
Lost, “The Constant” (Saturday): Ryan McGee writes about one of the best episodes of television of the last decade, an episode that—conveniently for our purposes—just so happens to take place on Christmas Eve. Go, Desmond and Penny!
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
60 Minutes (CBS, 7 p.m.): It’s the annual episode of 60 Minutes where one of the reporters nods seriously as he or she talks to some religious expert about Christianity. We can think of no better holiday tradition. Can you? Probably not.
The Amandas (style, 8 p.m.): Who are the Amandas? Why are there at least two of them? What are they doing on television? We don’t know the answers to any of these questions—again, cookie coma—but we’re sure you can find out by tuning in.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (ABC, 8 p.m.): Check this one out one last time before it gets shoved back into the vault for another year. But tune out immediately after it’s over, lest ye be subjected to the Jim Carrey abomination airing right after.
Iron Chef America (Food, 9 p.m.): There’s a surprising amount of new stuff on tonight, but our top pick for brand new programming is this one, because what’s better to watch on Christmas night than a bullshit cooking competition show?
Bad Santa (Comedy Central, 7:57 p.m.): If you’ve had just about enough of Christmas cheer and want to move on to the Happy New Year portion of things already, here’s Billy Bob Thornton to help you make the transition a smooth one.
Going My Way/Make Way For Tomorrow (TCM, 8 p.m.): Start out with Bing Crosby crooning in a feel-good Best Picture winner; conclude with one of the most depressing movies classic Hollywood ever made. It's a can't-miss proposition!
NBA Basketball: Bulls at Lakers (ABC, 5 p.m.): It’s actually a pretty damn good sports day, what with the opening of the NBA season—just in time for us to stop caring about hockey again!—and the Bears/Packers game. But this has to be the top choice, no? Basketball and Christmas. Together again at last.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Chuck (Friday): Chuck proves it’s still got it with a twist-filled, action-packed episode that gets at just what fans of this show have loved about it for so long. Ryan McGee’s there to tell you about every awkward kissing moment of the thing.