What's On: Before Mrs. Claus Cheats

It's about time an American Idol winner fronted her own holiday special. Kelly Clarkson's too busy with artistic decisions to pander to Fox viewers, and Kris Allen's aw-shucks grin is too busy being its own holiday (for me), so the next logical step is that girl who kind of implied a hatred of the Dixie Chicks during the Grammys.

Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special [8 PM, Fox]

The season-four winner of American Idol will bless the USA with a host of guest-stars, including Kristin Chenoweth, Christina Applegate, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, and David Cook. If there's time for a skit, Simon Cowell may wrestle with Jesus for control of the wheel, arguing that he hasn't been relevant in years. Also: A grim looking Christmas tree will turn out to be Bo Bice.

Men of a Certain Age [10 PM, TNT]

The big bad Moveline review of Men of a Certain Age's pilot is forthcoming today, but the new series starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher, and Scott Bakula as dudes with midlife crises is the network's newest attempt at reversing dismal ratings. They may be on the right track: Braugher is a reliable powerhouse, Bakula is a cult hero, and Romano is hilarious to your great-aunt. This series may be the perfect solution during awkward yuletide festivities.

Million Dollar Listing [10 PM, Bravo]

In the season three finale starring our favorite gumball-machine-headed agent, Josh finds the time to pen his grandmother's life story, Chad heroically pencils in time for his girlfriend, and the agents all convene for a charity event where each of them is fitted for a proper hissy. I wish the competing egos boiled over more often on MDL, and in the form of skull-bashing. I wonder if the sometimes angry P.C. from NYC Prep would consider a career in real estate.

You Can't Take It With You [9 PM, TCM]

The 1938 Best Picture, adapted from the hit play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, follows Alice Sycamore's (Jean Arthur) eccentric Sycamore household as they meet her boss Tony Kirby's (James Stewart) snobbish family. The classic film is a platform for one of Stewart's best early performances and director Frank Capra's third Academy Award in five years. Less fun to behold is Lionel Barrymore, who was said to be on crutches during the filming of the movie as a result of increasing arthritis. T'any rate: Family comedies used to be bearable. Please view.