Thursday's TV highlights: 'A Christmas Story' and more

Thursday’s TV highlights: ‘A Christmas Story’ and more

By Matt Cooper

Dec. 23, 2015 8 PM PT

SERIES

Santas in the Barn The holiday-themed reality competition names its winner in the season finale. 8 p.m. Tru TV

SPECIALS

56th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration This three-hour live event, broadcast from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown L.A., features performances by the Colburn Children’s Choir and Young Men’s Ensemble, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, and many other local choirs, music groups and dance troupes. 3 p.m. KOCE; replays at 9 p.m.

West Point Holiday Special The West Point Glee Club, the West Point Band and the Field Music Group are among the ensembles performing seasonal favorites in this concert held at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. 4, 6 and 11 p.m. Fox News Channel

A Charlie Brown Christmas The Peanuts gang celebrates the holiday in this classic animated special based on the characters created by Charles Schulz; followed by an encore of the anniversary special “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown” hosted by Kristen Bell. 8 and 9 p.m. ABC

Religious observances: “The Christmas Eve Mass From St. Peter’s Basilica” in Vatican City; “May Peace Prevail on Earth: An Interfaith Christmas Special”; “2015 Christmas Liturgical: Christmas Eve at Marble Collegiate Church”; and “Christmas From the Christian Cultural Center” from Brooklyn, N.Y. 11:34 p.m. NBC; 11:35 p.m. CBS; 1 a.m. NBC; 2:11 a.m. ABC

MOVIES

A Christmas Story An annual holiday tradition continues with two 24-hour marathons of this nostalgic 1983 comedy; author Jean Shepherd narrates, and Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon star. Airing every two hours starting at 7 p.m. on TNT and 8 p.m. on TBS.

It’s a Wonderful Life James Stewart stars in director Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 holiday fable about a small-town man who comes to see his own worth with a little help from his guardian angel. 8 p.m. NBC

TALK SHOWS

CBS This Morning Carole King. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today Chef Alex Guarnaschelli; Seal performs. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America Behind the scenes of “Disney Parks Unforgettable Christmas Celebration”; anchor Kevin Newman and his son, Alex Newman. (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day LA Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Kelly and Michael Carol Burnett; Ariana Grande; Jussie Smollett (“Empire”); NBA player Stephen Curry. (N) 9 a.m. KABC

The View Robert De Niro; Billy Crystal; Thelma Houston; Cheryl Lynn. 10 a.m. KABC

The Meredith Vieira Show Steve Harvey; Lance Bass. 11 a.m. KNBC

The Doctors 11 a.m. KCAL

The Wendy Williams Show 11 a.m. KTTV

The Talk 1 p.m. KCBS

Rachael Ray Buddy Valastro (“Cake Boss”). (N) 1 p.m. KABC

The Dr. Oz Chef Chef Aaron Sanchez. 1 p.m. KCOP

The Dr. Oz Show Queen Latifah. 2 p.m. KTTV

The Real 2 p.m. KCOP

Dr. Phil Teenage girl gives personal information to a stranger. 3 p.m. KCBS