This week, it’s all about the Peanuts gang, music awards and the premature onslaught of Christmas programming. Here’s what’s on:
SUNDAY
“The Walking Dead” (7 p.m., AMC) continues its stellar season, but I’m still reeling from a few weeks back. For those who haven’t caught up, I won’t ruin it. But… wow.
Also tonight, “The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards” (8 p.m., ABC) will feature performances by Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Pink, Nicki Minaj and Christina Aguilera, as well as a Stevie Wonder tribute to Dick Clark.
MONDAY
The 49ers are back on “Monday Night Football” (5:30 p.m., CBS), this time facing the Chicago Bears.
Not feeling like football? The music of Michael Jackson’s “Bad” is featured on “Dancing with the Stars: All-stars” (8 p.m., ABC), the top 10 perform on “The Voice” (8 p.m., NBC), and, in true counter-programming, there’s Ken Burns’ two-part documentary on the Great Depression, “The Dust Bowl” which concludes tonight. (It airs at 8 p.m. on KQED; check listings for other times and PBS stations.)
TUESDAY
The season wraps up on “Covert Affairs” (7 p.m., USA), as Annie heads to Amsterdam for a rescue mission.
On “New Girl” (9 p.m., Fox), Jess’s divorced parents (Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner) come for Thanksgiving.
WEDNESDAY
The Peanuts gang is back to celebrate turkey day on “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (8 p.m., ABC). If you miss it (and can’t figure out how to work your DVR), don’t worry…it repeats at the same time on Thursday.
THURSDAY
Holidays usually mean repeats for most network shows, but Fox has first-run programs. Both “The X Factor” (8 p.m.) and “Glee” (9 p.m.) are new. On “Glee,” the triangle between newbies Marley, Ryder and Puck’s brother takes center stage.
FRIDAY
It’s the day after Thanksgiving so you know what that means: Christmas shows in primetime!
CBS is airing a four-pack of animated shows. A certain snowman kicks it off with the classic “Frosty the Snowman” at 8 p.m., followed by “Frosty Returns” and “Hoops and Yoyo Ruin Christmas.” To cap the night, a laced fruitcake wreaks havoc in Bikini Bottom on the new special “It’s a SpongeBob Christmas!”
If you’re in the mood for even more animation, Charlie Brown and friends are back with “Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown” (8 p.m., Fox). This time, instead of celebrating Thanksgiving, the Peanuts gang tries to persuade Linus to give up his treasured blanket. It’s actually pretty good timing on their part… they can snatch it away while Linus is still feeling sleepy from the tryptophan in the turkey.
— Heather Chavez
