ANIMATED
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Thursday, Dec. 22, 8-9 p.m., (CBS)
The deer's aiight, but it's those misfit toys that get us every time in this 1964 favorite, coming back for its second airing this season.
Olive, the Other Reindeer
Friday, Dec. 23, 12-1 p.m. (Cartoon Network)
The Simpsons' Matt Groening created this 1999 cartoon about a dog who wants to play reindeer games (and save the holiday in the process); Drew Barrymore voices the title character.
Christmas in South Park
Saturday, Dec. 24, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. (Comedy Central)
Two words: Mr. Hankey.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
South Park New Year's Rock-a-thon
Saturday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. (Comedy Central)
If shots of Times Square start making you feel agoraphobic, you can flip to six back-to-back episodes of animated lunacy.
New Year's Rockin' Eve
Saturday, Dec. 31, 11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m. (ABC)
Dick Clark is back, and this time around, he's got a new sidekick: last year's Fox host, Ryan Seacrest. You follow? Dick's usual eclectic (read: appealingly random) year-end music specials will air from 10 to 11 p.m. and from 1:05 to 2:05 a.m.
New Year's Eve Live
Saturday, Dec. 31, 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (Fox)
All right, ABC, we'll see your Dick Clark and raise you one Regis Philbin. That's right — Reege, who subbed for Dick last year, is jumping to a rival network to ring in the New Year.
NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly
Saturday, Dec. 31, 11:30 p.m.-12:10 a.m. (NBC)
Daly's show will have lots of live music that will probably be aimed at straddling the wide demographic gap between Dick Clark and whoever is hosting MTV's bash.
