Channel Surfing 12.02.08

Breaking down the new episodes of your favorite network shows, Channel Surfing will give you an hour by hour view of whats on television tonight. Channel Surfing helps you decide what shows to watch, what shows to record and what shows you have to pass on this week.

Setting the DVR for: House, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Fringe, The Mentalist and Eli Stone.

8:00 PM/ET

House (Fox)

A fitness guru known for her “natural” lifestyle collapses while shooting an infomercial. Meanwhile, Thirteen participates in a clinical drug trial for Huntington’s disease led by Foreman; Kutner operates an online medical-advice clinic under House’s name; and Cuddy moves into House’s office while hers is being repaired, much to House’s dismay.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (ABC)

Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney are among those who lend their voices to this holiday tale, which explains the legend of Santa Claus and how he began delivering toys to children on Christmas Eve. As a young man, he tries to deliver toys to the kids of Sombertown, but is met with opposition by the bitter Burgermeister Meisterburger, a mayor who hates toys and deems them “illegal, immoral, unlawful.”

NCIS (CBS)

The team investigates the death of a petty officer, who was killed in a car accident, but the agents suspect foul play. Antonio Sabato Jr. and Tracy Scoggins guest star.

Biggest Loser: Family (NBC)

The contestants receive makeovers with wardrobe assistance from “Project Runway” champ Christian Siriano and later appear on the Tyra Banks Show, where their loved ones await them. Back at the ranch, a player has a breakthrough during a challenge.

Elf (USA)

Will Ferrell shines in this holiday comedy about a human raised by Santa’s elves who goes in search of his birth father (James Caan). Director Jon Favreau keeps the guy-in-an-elf-suit act from degenerating into a too-long sketch, and Zooey Deschanel, who can really sing, deserves kudos for her rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

8:30 PM/ET

The Polar Express (ABC Family)

Robert Zemeckis’ computer-animated feature, based on the 1986 Caldecott Award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, is an extraordinary achievement, which isn’t the same as being an extraordinary film. Van Allsburg’s slim tale of a boy whose doubts about Santa, flying reindeer and the whole holly-jolly holiday ball of wax are banished by a trip on the magical Polar Express – a steam engine of such seductive grace and beauty that it seems more alive than the human characters – is long on atmosphere and short on plot.

9:00 PM/ET

According To Jim (ABC)

In the eighth-season premiere, the older kids give in to Jim’s request to do the household chores after he blames them for losing one of the twin’s blankets.

The Mentalist (CBS)

When three National Guard vets are murdered, Jane goes undercover to prove that the only surviving member of the unit is the killer.

Fringe (Fox)

A series of bank robberies are investigated by Olivia, Peter and Dr. Bishop, whose discovery of a personal link to the tech-savvy thieves’ ambition ultimately puts one of the trio in grave danger.

9:30 PM/ET

According To Jim (ABC)

Jim is overwhelmed by Cheryl’s requests and suggestions when her sister and closest friend, Dana, moves away, so he sets out to find his wife a replacement.

10:00 PM/ET

Eli Stone (ABC)

Eli’s latest vision puts him in his father’s body on Nate’s 12th birthday, which gives him insight on a case involving a teen’s wish to be emancipated from his formidable father, who is represented in court by Matt and Maggie. Meanwhile, Taylor struggles to tell Matt she’s pregnant, and Keith tries to steer clear of Patti’s daughter.

Without A Trace (CBS)

A doctor vanishes from a hospital not long after helping a patient, and the team believes something from her past may be connected to the disappearance.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)

A marine who is pregnant with her rapist’s child goes missing, and Benson and Greylek fight to keep the case in SVU when a Navy commander tries to take over. Benson then starts to have flashbacks to her sexual assault, so she gets Fin to help her with the investigation.

Shatner’s Raw Nerve (Biography)

William Shatner hosts this quirky talk show addressing sensitive issues with celeb guests. The first episode features Valerie Bertinelli. The second half hour features Tim Allen.

The Real Housewives of Orange County (Bravo)

Gretchen persuades her fiancé, Jeff, to go motorcycle shopping; Lauri visits her daughter Ashley and learns about her start-up skin-care business; Vicki and Donn have a date night, but it turns into a bitter sparring match over their marriage; Tamra’s husband, Simon, attempts to start a business working out of their house.