Sunday The Frank Sinatra estate gives a new episode of "Cold Case" (8 p.m., WCCO, Ch. 4) a ring-a-ding endorsement by allowing five of the Chairman of the Board's classics to grace the soundtrack. Watch Kathyrn Morris struggle to solve the murder of a flight attendant without being overtaken by the urge to join Frank on "Come Fly With Me."
Monday The folks at the "Today" show are so adept at patting themselves on the back that they've dedicated an hour of prime time to the stunt. "2008: 'Today' Looks Back, A Holiday Special" (7 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11) gives them a chance to show just how peppy, popular and poignant they've been all year. Bloopers, too!
Tuesday Van Johnson, who died this month at age 92, was always a personal favorite, a naturalistic sweetheart of a guy trapped in the body of a hulk. I loved the contrast and commitment he brought to film, most notably 1949's "Battleground," a war epic every bit as harrowing and memorable as "Saving Private Ryan." Unfortunately, that movie is not part of TCM's marathon tribute, but you can't go wrong with 1943's "A Guy Named Joe" (8:45 p.m.), a war-set fantasy that also stars Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne.
Wednesday There are many ways to celebrate Christmas Eve (aside, of course, from my family's tradition of bobbing for apples in eggnog). For those looking for a crackling, old-fashioned experience, enjoy the "Yule Log" (7 p.m., KSTC, Ch. 45, and 1:30 a.m., WGN) ablaze all night.
Thursday Of these two films, which one you pick should indicate how your holiday went. If it has been a day of celebration, warmth and good food, you can't go wrong with 1942's "Casablanca" (7 p.m., TCM), a rich dessert if there ever was one. If it has been a day of bickering, headaches and excessive punch, there's the unrated version of 2003's "Bad Santa" (7 p.m., Comedy), with Billy Bob Thornton as a curmudgeon who would eat Scrooge alive.
NEAL JUSTIN
