Christmastime and the New Year send television into overdrive with specials and holiday-themed episodes. What stands out? Here's a look at noteworthy programs and a countdown to the most special of all specials:

10. "House," 7 p.m. Dec. 9 on Fox: Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is a modern Scrooge. But in this episode, Fox says, "House gives a clinic patient an unbelievable holiday gift and keeps the team guessing about who may have sent him a particularly thoughtful Christmas gift." Executive producer Katie Jacobs promises, "The Christmas episode really has a very satisfying surprise for Cuddy and House in a personal kind of way." The episode is titled "Joy to the World."

9. "Greatest Holiday Moments: Songs of the Season Countdown," 7 p.m. Dec. 12 on NBC: This special looks at beloved renditions. The selections range from Gene Autry's "Frosty the Snowman" and Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" to John Lennon's "Happy Christmas" and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

8. "Little Spirit: Christmas in New York," 7 p.m. Dec. 10 on NBC: Duncan Sheik, composer of Spring Awakening, supplies the original songs in this new special. NBC says the special's look mixes 3-D technology and traditional painting. The voices include Danny DeVito, Lucy Liu, Freddy Rodriguez, Brenda Song and NBC anchor Brian Williams.

7. "Christmas in Washington," 7 p.m. Dec. 17 on TNT: Kristin Chenoweth of Pushing Daisies supplies Broadway pizazz. Julianne Hough of Dancing With the Stars brings the down-home country feel. Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw host this special, which will feature Darius Rucker, Casting Crowns and Straight No Chaser. The president and first lady usually attend the concert, which benefits the National Children's Medical Center.

6. "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa," 7 p.m. Dec. 17 on NBC: In this new special, Kermit and his buddies race to get three letters to Mr. Claus. This new special features songs by Paul Williams. The many guest stars include Uma Thurman, Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Krakowski, Jesse L. Martin, Steve Schirripa and Tony "Paulie Walnuts" Sirico.

5. "Shrek the Halls," 7 p.m. Dec. 22 on ABC: Have you seen a gingerbread man throw up? A cooked turkey dance in a parade? Clever sight gags abound in this tart special. The story: Shrek is uptight. Villagers fret over preparations. A party falls apart. The best-laid holiday plans can go horribly wrong.

4. "Kennedy Center Honors," 8 p.m. Dec. 30 on CBS: TV's classiest awards show will tape Dec. 7. Caroline Kennedy serves as host. The deserving honorees are Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who, country great George Jones, actor Morgan Freeman, choreographer Twyla Tharp and singer-actress-director Barbra Streisand. You're going to hear "People" and "The Way We Were."

3. "A Christmas Story," Dec. 24 on TBS: A 24-hour marathon begins at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Jean Shepherd narrates this 1983 movie based on his memoir. It's the story of a boy (Peter Billingsley), a Red Ryder BB gun and some priceless comedy. Let us all give thanks for Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon, who play the parents.

2. "It's a Wonderful Life," 7 p.m. Dec. 13 on NBC: George Bailey (James Stewart) learns what life in Bedford Falls would have been like if he had never lived. Frank Capra directed this 1946 fantasy, which features vital contributions from Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore and Henry Travers. NBC will repeat the movie at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.

1. "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 7 p.m. Dec. 8 on ABC: This beloved special, which first aired in 1965, has been digitally remastered. The program remains a classic for its beguiling simplicity and the message imparted by Linus. ABC will repeat the special at 7 p.m. Dec. 16.

---

More Christmas on TV

ANIMATED FAVES

(First or main network airing noted here. Check listings for voluminous cable encores.)

"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., ABC Family) - Fred Astaire narrates 1970 stop-motion tale.

"The Year Without a Santa Claus" (Dec. 11 at 7 p.m., ABC Family) - Mickey Rooney in 1974 stop-motion special.

"Frosty the Snowman" (Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., CBS) - Jimmy Durante voices 1969 cartoon.

"Olive the Other Reindeer" (Dec. 13 at 5 p.m., Cartoon) - "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening's 1999 cartoon.

HOLIDAY MOVIES

"A Very Brady Christmas" (Dec. 20 at 8 a.m., ABC Family) - Sitcom bunch reunites in 1988 TV movie.

"White Christmas" (Dec. 23 at 5 and 8 p.m., ABC Family) - Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen in 1954 musical.

MARATHONS

25 Days of Christmas (Through Dec. 25, ABC Family) - Nightly fest features dozens of animated specials, movies, sitcom episodes. Look for weekend marathons.

Home for the Holidays (all month nightly at 8; Dec. 24-27, 8 a.m.-2 a.m. daily, Hallmark). - Back-to-back holiday movies nightly at 9 culminate in four full days of films including "Hallmark Hall of Fame" dramas like "Silver Bells."

Vintage Christmas movies (Friday, Dec. 12 and 19 from 7 p.m., Turner Classic Movies) - This week's triple feature of musicals (including "Meet Me in St. Louis" at 7 p.m.) is followed by family favorites ("Little Women" Dec. 12 at 9 p.m.) and holiday romances ("The Bishop's Wife" Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.).

Christmas episodes (Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Dec. 21, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Christmas Eve/Day, midnight-8 p.m., TV Land) - Ninth annual Merrython of vintage faves like "M*A*S*H," "All in the Family," "Andy Griffith," "Night Court," "3rd Rock From the Sun," "Green Acres," "Little House on the Prairie."

Christmas movie classics (Dec. 23 from 11:30 a.m., Christmas Eve from 5:15 a.m., TCM) - Four features the first day (including the 1970 musical "Scrooge"), eight titles the next (1945's "Christmas in Connecticut").

NEW FOR 2008

"A Miser Brothers' Christmas" (Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., ABC Family) - Mickey Rooney returns in animated "Year Without a Santa" sequel.

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., Hallmark) - TV movie with Brooke Burns as a workaholic for whom Henry Winkler plays Christmas Cupid.

"Snow 2: Brain Freeze" (Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., ABC Family) - TV-movie sequel with Tom Cavanagh reprising his Santa role.

"Christmas in Wonderland" (Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., ABC Family) - TV movie with Patrick Swayze and Carmen Electra has kids finding crooks' cash.

"Our First Christmas" (Dec. 20 at 8 p.m., Hallmark) - TV movie about a merged family with John Ratzenberger and Dixie Carter.

(c) 2008 Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.