1) “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 7 and 8 p.m., TBS. Over the next five weeks, we’ll get lots of lookalike Christmas shows, each aspiring to adequacy. So it’s good to stop first and savor some holiday greatness; this 1966 cartoon offers TV at its best. It starts with Dr. Seuss’ brilliant book, then adds superb animation by Chuck Jones, the man behind Road Runner cartoons. Boris Karloff offers the droll narration, with Thurl Ravenscroft singing about a mean one (shown here), Mr. Grinch.
2) “Saturday Night Live,” 11:29 p.m., NBC. Will Ferrell is back on comfortable turf here. He spent seven seasons at “SNL,” with characters ranging from an overzealous cheerleader to George W. Bush. He went on to be a movie star, but this is his fifth time as host. King Princess is the music guest.
3) “Bob (Hearts) Abishola,” 8:30 p.m., CBS. Jolted by a romantic dream about Bob, Abishola focuses on suppressing any feelings about him. It’s another good episode, in what’s been a low-key delight; it’s also the mid-point of three reruns: On “The Neighborhood” (8 p.m.), Calvin accidentally sells something valuable to a neighbor (Marla Gibbs, 88). On “NCIS: New Orleans” (9 p.m.), the team probes the death of a Navy contractor who had two identities, each with a wife, family and career.
4) More Christmas shows, cable. The “Elf on the shelf” cartoon is at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., alternating with “Grinch.” And there are plenty of Christmas movies, including three new ones at 8 – “Christmas Belles” on BET, “Twinkle All the Way” on Lifetime and “Christmas at Graceland: Home For the Holidays” on Hallmark. That’s the third Graceland movie, this time, without Kellie Pickler. Kaitlin Doubleday and Adrian Grenier star, with Priscilla Presley appearing briefly.
5) “Turkey Drop,” 9-11 p.m., Freeform. Before we get entirely engulfed with Christmas, here’s a new Thanksgiving movie. Olivia Holt, who’s been terrific in the “Cloak & Dagger” series, plays a college student who’s convinced her high school sweetheart will dump her during the holiday; a personal transformation begins. Cheryl Hines plays her mom.