Gumbel soup
The best candidate to take over for Regis Philbin most likely doesn't want the job. Bryant Gumbel serves as guest host on "Live With Kelly" (9 a.m., KSTP, Ch. 5) and, if it were up to me, I'd do everything I could to persuade him to stick around. The former "Today" host is more interested in playing golf these days, but if he ever changes his mind, he and Ripa would be a match made in TV heaven.
Dance fever
This Christmas, give your kids the gift of ballet by having them watch "George Balanchine's the Nutcracker" (7 p.m., KTCA, Ch. 2), featuring the New York City Ballet and 50 children. This latest edition of "Live From Lincoln Center" is the best way to introduce them to an art form that can feel intimidating without just the right costumes, music and story line.
Barbara's best
"Barbara Walters Presents" (8:31 p.m., KSTP, Ch. 5) once again counts down the most fascinating people of 2011, including the Kardashian family, Katy Perry and Donald Trump. I'd love to hear Walters' definition of "fascinating."
