Channel Surfing 12.03.08

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: Pushing Daisies, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Life and Ghost Hunters.

8:00 PM/ET

Pushing Daisies (ABC)

Ned and Olive’s comfort-food competition turns unappetizing when a chef is found dead, and Chuck needs Emerson’s help coping with the consequences of her actions.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (CBS)

Burl Ives narrates this animated musical, first telecast in 1964. The Johnny Marks score includes the title tune, “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “We’re a Couple of Misfits.” Voices include . . . Rudolph: Billie Richards. Yukon Cornelius: Larry Mann.

Secret Millionaire (Fox)

Millionaires give back in the opener of this unscripted series, which follows well-to-do folks as they live and work (for the minimum wage) anonymously alongside the less fortunate before identifying themselves and giving a deserving recipient at least $100,000. Participants in the opener include Louisiana fast-food entrepreneurs Todd and Gwen Graves.

Christmas In Rockefeller Center (NBC)

Al Roker and Jane Krakowski host the 76th annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Manhattan. Illuminating the proceedings are performances by music artists rendering current hits and time-honored holiday songs. Among them: Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Tony Bennett, Jonas Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., David Cook, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts and Solange Knowles. Rosie O’Donnell and Stephen Colbert also make appearances.

8:30 PM/ET

Cars (ABC Family)

ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas continues with Disney’s Cars. Set in an alternate universe where automobiles, not mankind, have evolved into the dominant species, the film follows hot-rod race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), who is one victory away from becoming the first rookie to win the Piston Cup.

9:00 PM/ET

Private Practice (ABC)

Addison and Charlotte work to save the lives of a comatose pregnant woman and her unborn child; Meg ruffles feathers when she begins seeing patients at Oceanside; and Violet seeks Kevin’s advice when a patient is suspected of killing his wife.

Grammy Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night (CBS)

Nominations for the 2009 Grammy Awards are announced in six categories. The hour includes performances by Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, the Foo Fighters, B.B. King, John Mayer and Taylor Swift at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Swift and LL Cool J host.

Life (NBC)

A sheriff’s deputy is killed on an Indian reservation involved in a turf war over a casino. Elsewhere, Crews goes to a fund-raiser sponsored by a man he believes conspired against him.

Stylista (The CW)

The contestants are at the mercy of supermodel Maggie Rizer when they are tasked with preparing a hotel room according to her specifications. Later, they must design a multipage fashion layout, and the competition gets to one player, who lashes out at Anne and Joe.

Ghost Hunters (SciFi Channel)

The team boards ships docked off of San Diego to probe paranormal claims pertaining to the Berkeley, a 1898 steamboat ferry, and the Star of India, the oldest active ship in the world.

10:00 PM/ET

Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)

Karen’s wedding to Simon nears, and Lisa plans on bringing Jeremy to the nuptials to provoke jealousy in Nick. Elsewhere, Patrick gives Jeremy a job, despite Nola’s objections; Brian bonds with Andrea; and Letitia wants houseguest Wrenn to leave after she sees Tripp is growing fond of her.

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (CBS)

Usher performs as supermodels Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Doutzen Kroes, Adriana Lima, Miranda Kerr and Marisa Miller take to the runway to showcase the company’s latest lingerie. T

Law and Order (NBC)

Worlds collide when a suspect finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation in the Big Apple. Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff plays a hard-as-nails woman with a reason to pull the trigger in a case that briefly puts Detective Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) on the wrong side of the law.

Top Chef: New York (Bravo)

Actress Debi Mazar makes an appearance in this colorful installment, which finds the chefs serving up a savory three-item creation using one of the hues of the rainbow. Ted Allen (“Queer Eye”) and chef Robert Ivan are guest judges.