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Rudolph the Reindeer is on sabbatical, which leaves the duties of hosting "Red Nose Day" to Craig Ferguson. The live event, which raises money to lift kids out of poverty, will feature appearances from Julianne Moore, Tracy Morgan and Liam Neeson. Writer/director Richard Curtis ("Love Actually") is the telethon's creator and executive producer.

8 p.m. KARE, Ch. 11

Monster mesh

Monster Week, which is more concerned with the menaces of sea and land than horror characters, kicks off with a new episode of "River Monsters," the series that suggests it's never safe to go back in the water. The annual event continues over the next seven days with documentaries on Komodo dragons, grizzly bears and angry bees.

8 p.m. Animal Planet

Put up your Dukes

The best way to celebrate John Wayne's birthday is with a porterhouse steak smothered in cake batter. The alternative? Digging into "The Searchers," in which the Duke plays a racist ranger out for revenge, the most layered role of his stellar career. It's part of a daylong salute to His Hollywood Highness.

10:50 p.m. HDNET Movies

Ferguson

Neal Justin