TV Best Bets

Wednesday, Nov. 23: Toast, Popcorn and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ©1973 United Feature Syndicate Inc. All rights reserved.

All Times Eastern.

Wednesday, Nov. 23

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
ABC, 8pm
Get out your toaster and a big bowl of popcorn, because the animated Peanuts classic is back, featuring Charlie Brown trying his Charlie-Brown best to host Thanksgiving dinner for his less than thankful pals. The equally endearing This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers follows immediately after.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Honors
The CW, 8pm
This two-hour special pays tribute to some of Hollywood’s most memorable Walk of Fame ceremonies. Hosted by Joe Mantegna and daughter Gia, the program includes presentations by Louis Gossett Jr., Dean Cain, Justin Baldoni, Jeff Dunham, Melissa Rivers, Gabrielle Ruiz, Mike Tyson, Montel Williams and more. The special also features performances by Penn & Teller, Mike Love and the Beach Boys, Daughtry, BC Jean, Candice Glover, Pia Toscano, David Foster and Michael Bolton.

Broadcasting Christmas
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Melissa Joan Hart — in her Hallmark Channel premiere — plays an ambitious television anchor who competes against her rival (Dean Cain) from another network for a prized reporting position. For the two weeks leading up to Christmas, the duo try to scoop each other for the best and most meaningful Christmas news story.

Macy’s 90th Thanksgiving Day Parade Special
NBC, 8pm
On the night before the big day, as your turkey is brining and your pies are baking, take a look back at the nine decades that led up to the 2016 parade. Through archival footage and brand-new interviews, this hourlong tribute spotlights the event’s rich history, from the first-ever licensed character balloon — Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer’s famous Felix the Cat, which in this year’s parade will be re-created exactly as the black-and-white feline first appeared in 1927 — to the Macy’s Parade Studio’s latest innovations. Meanwhile, parade pros, hosts and a bevy of celebrity performers are primed to share their unique perspectives on this holiday tradition.

Pearl Harbor — USS Oklahoma —The Final Story
PBS, 8pm
Explore what happened to the USS Oklahoma, the only battleship to capsize during the Pearl Harbor attack. Examine new details about what may have caused the ship to overturn and hear stories from Oklahoma survivors and families of those lost.

Polar Bear Town: “Paparazzi Alert”
Smithsonian Channel, 8pm
A mother bear is leading her 9-month-old cub back from his first hunting season on the ice. Now they’ll face an even more daunting challenge: throngs of tourists descending on Churchill, which could put the cub and the visitors at risk. Guide Kelsey Eliasson assists in a groundbreaking research project that identifies bears through their unique whisker patterns.

Little Weddings
Lifetime, 9pm
New Series!
Lifetime’s three-week event series follows the McInturff family, who run Sassy Bash Events, a full-service events company in Simi Valley, Calif, that specializes in creating magical moments for little people in love. Owner Kelly and her siblings Kacy, TJ and Kensey bend over backward to ensure nuptials go off without a hitch for their little clients, even when emotions run high as they balance the everyday challenges of being little and the stress of planning their big day.

SNL Thanksgiving 2016
NBC, 9pm
A feast of some of the best Thanksgiving-related Saturday Night Live sketches.

The Double Dare Reunion Special
Nickelodeon, 9pm
In celebration of the 30th anniversary year of Nickelodeon’s kid-centric game show Double Dare, original host Marc Summers, beloved announcer Harvey and right-hand woman Robin reunite for a brand-new commemorative special. The half-hour special features vintage footage, behind-the-scenes content and messy new games taped earlier this year.

Pearl Harbor — Into the Arizona
PBS, 9pm
As the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor approaches, join the first expedition to explore inside the USS Arizona since the “date that will live in infamy,” as state-of-the-art imaging technology reveals the aftermath and incredible story of what happened at Pearl Harbor.

Code Black: “Behind the Curtain”
CBS, 10pm
Angels Memorial doctors treat cult members who survived a mass suicide attempt in the new episode “Behind the Curtain.”

Soundbreaking: “I Am My Music”
PBS, 10pm
From LPs to cassette tapes, CDs and MP3s, discover how listening formats determine how and where we listen, and also the ways we collect, store and share the music we love. The episode spotlights the work of Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead.

Thursday, Nov. 24

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NBC, 9am Live ET/9am Tape-delayed CT, MT, PT
Marching bands, musical performances, giant balloons and colorful floats abound in this annual turkey day tradition. And since it’s the 90th annual installment, NBC is celebrating with a look back at the rich history of this two-and-a-half-mile march through the streets of Manhattan.

“The Simpsons” Marathon
FXX, beginning at 12pm
“A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.” FXX airs 600 consecutive episodes of The Simpsons in chronological order beginning today and ending on Dec. 6. This marathon will be the longest in TV history, surpassing the 552-episode Simpsons marathon FXX ran in 2014.

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina
NBC, 12pm
Man’s best friends put on a parade of their own in this annual pup-ularity contest. John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Dancing With the Stars) and expert analyst David Frei will return as hosts, Mary Carillo reports from inside the show ring, and Olympic greats Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir will provide tail-wagging commentary as reporters and digital contributors. Over 190 breeds will compete for the coveted title of “Best in Show” including new breeds the American Hairless Terrier (terrier group), the Sloughi (hound group) and the Pumi (herding group).

NFL Football
CBS, FOX & NBC, beginning at 12:30pm Live
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving Day without a big helping of the NFL. This year, feast on the Minnesota Vikings at the Detroit Lions (CBS), the Washington Redskins at the Dallas Cowboys (FOX) and the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Indianapolis Colts (NBC).

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
ABC, 8pm
Thanksgiving wishes do come true! Siblings Julianne and Derek Hough get goofy to emcee Disney World’s annual Turkey Day blowout, which also features performances from Kelly Clarkson and Garth Brooks.

Christmas in Homestead
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Taylor Cole stars as a famous actress who heads to the Christmas-obsessed town of Homestead, Iowa, to shoot a holiday-themed movie. A romance brews between her and a local innkeeper and single dad (Michael Rady), and as she gets a taste of small-town life, she discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

Anne of Green Gables
PBS, 8pm
Original Film!
Martin Sheen stars as Matthew Cuthbert in this all-new revival of L.M. Montgomery’s beloved classic tale about a free-spirited and determined redhead named Anne Shirley. Ella Ballentine stars as Anne, a young orphan who is placed in the care of uptight and austere Marilla Cuthbert (Sara Botsford) and her kindhearted brother, and charms them with her romantic heart and thirst for adventure.

The Great Indoors: “No Bad Ideas”
CBS, 8:30pm
Human resources forbids Jack (Joel McHale) from giving his staff any feedback at all after he crushes Clark (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) with a brutally honest performance review in the new episode “No Bad Ideas.”

Thanksgiving Weekend Binge-a-Thon
TV Land, beginning at 8:30pm
Enjoy a feast of Thanksgiving-themed episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, The King of Queens, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Roseanne and How I Met Your Mother during TV Land’s Thanksgiving Weekend Binge-a-Thon.

Mom: “Blow and a Free McMuffin”
CBS, 9pm
In the new episode “Blow and a Free McMuffin,” Violet (Sadie Calvano) gets sick, and Christy (Anna Faris) and Bonnie (Allison Janney) find out that mononucleosis is the least of Violet’s problems.

Life in Pieces: “Steps Dinner Professor Lesbian”
CBS, 9:30pm
Guest Star Alert!
When Joan’s (Dianne Wiest) creative writing teacher, Sinclair Wilde (guest star Cary Elwes), praises her work, John (James Brolin) assumes it is because he has a crush on her. Fortune Feimster (The Mindy Project) also guest-stars in the new episode “Steps Dinner Professor Lesbian.”

Pollyanna
PBS, 9:30pm
Enjoy an adaptation of the children’s classic novel Pollyanna, about the young orphan whose effortless charm captures the hearts of family, friends and strangers alike and who believes that a little positive thinking can make a big difference.

Pure Genius: “Fire and Ice”
CBS, 10pm
James (Augustus Prew) convinces a hockey player with a severe spinal injury to undergo risky surgery that could enable him to walk again in the new episode “Fire and Ice.”

Friday, Nov. 25

Michael Che Matters
Netflix
SNL Weekend Update co-anchor and former Daily Show correspondent Michael Che stars in this standup comedy special filmed at Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Netflix
They’re back! This series of four 90-minute chapters (each spanning one of the four seasons, hence the show’s subtitle) catches us up with Lorelai and Rory Gilmore (Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel), along with other favorite faces from the beloved 2000-07 series, including Scott Patterson as Luke Danes, Kelly Bishop as Emily Gilmore, Keiko Agena as Lane Kim, Sean Gunn as Kirk Gleason and Matt Czuchry as Logan Huntzberger. Original creator Amy Sherman-Palladino wrote and directed all the episodes along with her husband, Daniel Palladino.

NHL Thanksgiving Showdown: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia
NBC, 1pm Live
The NHL Thanksgiving Showdown Black Friday tradition continues on NBC with an Eastern Conference rivalry game between the N.Y. Rangers and Flyers at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.

College Football
CBS & ESPN, beginning at 2:30pm Live
Black Friday college football action features Arkansas at Missouri (CBS); Baylor vs. Texas Tech (ESPN) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and Arizona State at Arizona (ESPN).

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
ABC, 8pm
Fred Astaire narrates this timeless Rankin/Bass tale of how good-hearted orphan Kris Kringle (voice of Mickey Rooney) outwitted the Winter Warlock and Burgermeister Meisterburger to bring holiday joy to the children of Sombertown.

Frosty the Snowman
CBS, 8pm
The classic animated musical special returns, narrated by Jimmy Durante. Jackie Vernon provides the voice of the “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic brings him to life. The special is followed by the 1992 sequel, Frosty Returns.

Christmas List
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
Alicia Witt stars as Isobel, a young woman who travels with her boyfriend (Gabriel Hogan) to “the perfect Christmas town” to accomplish the Christmas bucket list she’s had since childhood.

Savage Kingdom
Nat Geo Wild, 9pm
New Series!
Charles Dance of Game of Thrones fame narrates this natural history documentary series that follows warring animal clans battling for survival in a remote, drought-stricken region of Africa. Lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs are the royal families fighting for dominance amid rivalries, betrayals, battles and triumphs. Nat Geo Wild promises that the series, which was shot in 4K by a team that spent a year in the field, is “not your father’s wildlife special.” The first hour of the premiere episode, “Clash of Queens,” follows the lioness Matsumi, while the second hour catches up with Saba the leopard.

Lang Lang’s New York Rhapsody: Live From Lincoln Center
PBS, 9pm
Watch as internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang performs a love letter to New York in this Live From Lincoln Center special, featuring music from Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Danny Elfman, Lou Reed, Alicia Keys, Don Henley and more.

Z Nation: “Doc’s Angels”
Syfy, 9pm
Doc (Russell Hodgkinson) tries to find a way to communicate with Warren (Kellita Smith), but instead encounters something much more menacing.

Van Helsing: “Last Time”
Syfy, 10pm
Vanessa (Kelly Overton) and the group take shelter in Susan’s (Hilary Jardine) family farm, finding both glimmers of hope and reasons for grief. With Sam (Christopher Heyerdahl) finally outed as the serial killer, Vanessa and Mohamad (Trezzo Mahoro) take drastic action against him. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s latest experiment to create Daywalkers has failed, and Dmitri’s (Paul Johansson) patience grows thin.

Saturday, Nov. 26

Robbie the Reindeer
CBS, 8pm
CBS airs two Robbie the Reindeer animated holiday specials tonight, beginning with “Hooves of Fire,” in which Robbie (voice of Ben Stiller) competes against Blitzen (voice of Hugh Grant) in the Reindeer Races for a position on Santa’s sleigh team. Then in “Legend of the Lost Tribe,” Robbie must stop Blitzen from creating a Reindeer World theme park.

A Heavenly Christmas
Hallmark Channel, 8pm
Original Film!
In this star-studded Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Kristin Davis stars as Eve, a workaholic who, upon her untimely death, finds herself tethered to her guardian angel (Shirley MacLaine) and learning to become a Christmas angel. Eve is a terrible recruit but is assigned to help a struggling singer (Eric McCormack) use his musical gift to heal family wounds.

Legends of the Hidden Temple
Nickelodeon, 8pm
Original Film!
This new action-adventure film is inspired by the classic ’90s game show of the same name. Isabela Moner, Colin Critchley and Jet Jurgensmeyer star as three siblings who break away from a boring jungle tour and find themselves in a high-stakes obstacle course that they must complete in order to survive. Dee Bradley Baker reprises his role as the voice of Olmec, the game show’s talking head, and the show’s original host, Kirk Fogg, will also appear.

The Story of Santa Claus
CBS, 9pm
This animated musical holiday special features the voices of Ed Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry, and revolves around a gentle toymaker whose only wish is to deliver a toy to every child on Christmas.