It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas on Television

The Christmas specials and movies keep on coming this weekend, including several musical programs, a new TV film and a few beloved animated classics.

“Denyce Graves: A Cathedral Christmas,” 7:30 tonight on KCET-TV Channel 28, features the mezzo-soprano, the Cathedral Choral Society and the Cathedral Boys Choir.

Jimmy Durante narrates CBS’ 1969 animated musical “Frosty the Snowman,” Friday at 8 p.m. on Channel 2. “Frosty Returns” follows at 8:30 p.m. and “The Story of Santa Claus” is scheduled for 9 p.m.

“Andre Rieu: The Christmas I Love,” Friday at 9 p.m. on Channel 28, features the Dutch violinist relating Christmas stories set to traditional yuletide songs.

Kathie Lee Gifford, hubby Frank and children Cody and Cassidy headline “Kathie Lee Gifford: We Need a Little Christmas,” Friday at 10 p.m. on Channel 2.

Natalie Cole, En Vogue, Kenny G, Wynonna, Tim McGraw and Kirk Franklin and the Family perform on CBS’ “The Christmas Concert of Hope,” Saturday at 9 p.m. on Channel 2.

Country singer LeAnn Rimes and Bernadette Peters star in ABC’s “Holiday in Your Heart,” Sunday at 9 p.m. on Channel 7, a sentimental Christmas tale, based on Rimes’ current novel.

Other weekend fare:

Today

Before you see Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad,” you may want to check out the Discovery Channel’s documentary “Slave Ship,” at 9 p.m.

Spielberg’s DreamWorks company produced the History Channel’s “Ships of Slaves: The Middle Passage,” at 7 and 11 p.m.

Friday

Ann Martin and Michael Tuck host “Getty Museum Preview,” at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 2.

“Stan Chambers: L.A.’s Treasure,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 5, updates the 1992 documentary on the KTLA reporter.

Saturday

College football’s best player is chosen on the “Heisman Trophy Presentation,” at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN.

The PBS special “Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters,” at 7:10 p.m. on Channel 28 and 10:10 p.m. on Channel 50, chronicles the musical careers of Karen and Richard Carpenter.

ABC presents two new animated Christmas specials, “The Online Adventures of Ozzie the Elf” at 8 p.m. and “Santa vs. the Snowman” at 8:30 p.m.

Melissa Joan Hart, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Halle Berry and Richard Karen make the wishes of children come true on ABC’s “Christmas Miracles,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 7.

Sunday

Spanish-language recording artists Marisela, Nydia Rojas, Ruben Gomez and the Mariachi Juvenil Latino will headline KVEA-TV Channel 52’s annual holiday telethon, from 1-7 p.m., to raise money for needy families.

With James Cameron’s “Titanic” opening Dec. 19, TBS and Discovery Channel are getting in the swim of things with Titanic documentaries. Boyd Matson hosts TBS’ “National Geographic Explorer” special at 4 p.m. The Discovery Channel’s “Titanic Voyage,” at 8 p.m. and midnight, chronicles stories about the passengers.

Jena Malone headlines CBS’ “Hallmark Hall of Fame” drama “Ellen Foster,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2.

Mimi Rogers and Tyne Daly star in Showtime’s “Tricks” at 9 p.m.