A blizzard of TV specials is heading our way

CHRISTMAS, THEY SAY, comes once a year, but “once” now lasts for days and weeks and months, as Friday’s inflatable Frankenstein’s monster becomes Monday’s inflatable snowman.

- ROBERT LLOYD TELEVISION CRITIC

"A Paw Patrol Christmas," left; Junior Nyong'o, Lupita Nyong'o, Peter Dinklage in "Twelfth Night"; Alexandra Breckenridge in "My Secret Santa"; and "CMA Country Christmas."

CBS

The yuletide is now upon us, even before Thanksgiving, its autumnal opening act, has served its first pumpkin pie. For someone growing up in Southern California, the season was largely understood through television, and old movies on television, where snow fell and sleighs slid and no one was walking around in shorts on Dec. 25. Back in the three-network, four-network and even five-network days, one could see all the specials and special episodes and still lead a relatively normal life. But in this time of many platforms (and with evermore recycled content swelling the pot), one can go snow-blind. And so, to help you make your way through this blizzard, we are here, dependable as Santa, with the gift of a holiday guide.

A caveat: I have watched only a couple of this year’s new programs, which are largely unavailable to see as of this writing. (Trailers were helpful.) In some cases, networks have provided only a vague indication of what's in store. But years of experience tell me that there’s a good chance that what’s listed here will provide reliable entertainment, depending on your age, level of Grinchiness or how far you've gotten into the eggnog. Enjoy!

JOHN RUSSELL CMA

MUSICAL EVENTS TO MATCH THE SEASON