A bright and merry annual tree-lighting gala
DON’T MISS >> “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” — It’s time to light up the big tree in the Big Apple. The 85th annual holiday special gets all merry and bright while illuminating a 75-foot tall, 13-ton Norway spruce with more than 50,000 multi-colored LEDs. But there’s entertainment, too, with performances by Brett Eldredge, Jennifer Nettles, Leslie Odom Jr., Pentatonix, Gwen Stefani, The Tenors and others. “Today” show anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker usher us through the festivities. 8 p.m. Wednesday, NBC.
Other bets
TODAY >> Steve Harvey is back to host the “Miss Universe Pageant” from Las Vegas. And, yes, we do expect him to announce the correct winner at the conclusion of tonight’s three-hour event. 7 p.m., Fox.
TODAY >> Kelly Clarkson and Kelsea Ballerini are among the pop stars performing at the “Nickelodeon HALO Awards.” It’s a special concert held to honor young leaders who are working to improve their communities. Nick Cannon is our host. 7 p.m., Nickelodeon.
TODAY >> “The Lost Tapes: Patty Hearst” is a documentary that chronicles the infamous 1974 kidnapping of the granddaughter of American publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst by the Symbionese Liberation Army. Audio recordings and news clips help to recall the confusion, fear and absurdity that surrounded the case. 9 p.m., Smithsonian Channel. MONDAY >> Reba McEntire brings her tinsel-bright smile to the annual “CMA Country Christmas” special. She hosts the event, which includes performances by Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town and others. 8 p.m., ABC.
MONDAY >> “Angry Angel” is the title of a new holiday
TV movie starring Brenda Song in the title role. Why is she angry? Apparently because she’s stuck on Earth and can’t seem to ring the right bells in order to pass through those pearly gates into heaven. 9 p.m., Freeform.
TUESDAY >> “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the holly-jolly special that taught us to cherish misfits, returns for its annual holiday airing. And even after all these years, we still would say it glows. 8 p.m., CBS.
WEDNESDAY >> “Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo” is a special that has the dynamic pop superstar belting out some of his biggest hits at the legendary New York City venue. Also, Mars and his band take to the streets to visit and entertain locals. 10 p.m., CBS.
THURSDAY >> Ever since it debuted in 1965, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has
been enchanting audiences and reminding us of the holiday’s true meaning. Charlie, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy and the entire gang make a welcome return. 8 p.m., ABC.
FRIDAY >> Uh oh. On “Blue Bloods,” Danny and Baez join a narcotics task force to track down a drug supplier. But things take a horrible turn when Baez is soon fighting for her life from an accidental overdose. 10 p.m., CBS.
SATURDAY >> In the TV movie “Christmas in Evergreen,” a veterinarian sets out to have the perfect Christmas and assumes it will be with her longtime boyfriend. But when a storm shuts down the airport, she meets a doctor and his daughter, and, well, things change. 8 p.m., Hallmark.
Email Chuck Barney at cbarney@ bayareanewsgroup.com.