Channel Surfing 12.08.08

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: Chuck, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Heroes and Prison Break.

8:00 PM/ET

Chuck (NBC)

Chuck spies on Sarah and her date (Gary Cole) and has an Intersect flash about the mystery man. Elsewhere, Anna wants to move in with Morgan, who feels pressured to grow up. But despite help from Captain Awesome, Morgan’s quest for maturity is derailed by something from his past.

Jingle All The Way (ABC Family)

Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) may be the mattress king of Minneapolis, but he’s a total failure as husband and father. Since he’s never home, his frustrated wife (Rita Wilson) is left open to the sexual wiles of the lothario next door (Phil Hartman), and his son (Jake Lloyd) — a first-class mama’s boy in the making — has pops pegged as a rotten liar. The only way bad dad can possibly regain their affections and his rightful place as man of the house is by procuring that one thing his son desires most: a Turbo Man action figure.

Charlie Brown Christmas (ABC

In the Emmy and Peabody-winning animated cartoon from 1965, the gang mounts a holiday pageant as Charlie Brown bemoans Yuletide commercialism. Also: a new set of animated “Peanuts” vignettes, based on previously published strips.

The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Leonard’s relationship with Stephanie is moving too fast for him, so he runs to Penny for advice. Stephanie: Sara Rue.

Teriminator: The Sarah Connnor Chronicles (Fox)

Sarah and Cameron try to protect a family linked to Derek; Jesse’s life is endangered.

Gossip Girl (The CW)

The previews for tonight’s episode show Lily concerned about a secret from her past coming out. She says that Chuck knows something about the secret, and then there’s that clip of her slapping Chuck. As for Bart, he’s not seen in the previews, and at the very end of last week’s episode, Lily got a phone call that Bart was in an accident and she was visibly upset. Tonight, a “tragedy” occurs. Are these events connected or just a coincidence that are in no way related? Either way, tonight’s a can’t-miss episode.

Little People, Big World (TLC)

Zach and Jeremy turn 18, and Amy plans to celebrate with a pool party. But first, Matt must get the pool in working order.

8:30 PM/ET

How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

Ted and Barney have progressed from slap bets to outright fighting. The two have their own reasons to brawl: Ted wants to prove that he’s not a complete failure for being ditched at the altar, and Barney wants to impress Robin, who thinks fighting is, well, hot. The unwitting innocents happen to be some guys who are sitting in their favorite booth at the bar.

Little People, Big World (TLC)

Amy celebrates her sister’s birthday with a trip to Taos, N.M., where they ride horses, go white-water rafting and visit a Native American sweat lodge. The fun comes to a quick halt, however, when Amy hears of chaos at the farm.

9:00 PM/ET

Boston Legal (ABC)

After five seasons of often bizarre plots, occasional buffoonery and frequently biting social commentary, court is adjourned for David E. Kelley’s dramedy. In a two-hour series finale, Crane Poole & Schmidt’s financial troubles may precipitate the firm’s sale to the Chinese; Alan is set for a rematch with the U.S. Supreme Court to plead for Denny’s access to an experimental Alzheimer’s drug; and Shirley and Carl prepare to get hitched.

Two and a Half Men (CBS)

Alan considers early retirement when Evelyn offers to foot the bill for Jake’s college education.

Prison Break (Fox)

While the gang continues to match wits and blows with Self and Gretchen for control of Scylla (and with the Company in hot pursuit), Mahone enlists the aid of former FBI colleagues Lang and Wheeler (Barbara Eve Harris, Jason Davis). Meanwhile, Sara raises the dosage of the drug she’s giving Michael to counter the effects of his brain tumor, and T-Bag continues to hold Gretchen’s daughter and sister prisoner. But T-Bag tells Gretchen’s sister: “I’m as much a prisoner as you.”

Heroes (NBC)

Hiro and Claire go back in time to the moment Noah took Claire from Kaito Nakamura; Sylar interferes with Peter and the Haitian’s attempt to defeat Arthur; and Suresh makes major progress with the formula.

Privileged (The CW)

On the heels of reuniting with her father, Megan is visited by her estranged mother (Sharon Lawrence), who abandoned the family many years ago. Meanwhile, Will becomes jealous when Megan turns to Charlie instead of him for advice on family matters; and Sage, who denies her feelings for Luis, sets Rose up on date.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 (TLC)

Kate lets Cara and Mady act as the mommy for the day, and they soon learn taking care of the kids is a lot harder than it looks.

9:30 PM/ET

Worst Week (CBS)

Angela considers renting the apartment above Sam and Mel to help when the baby arrives, so Mel does her best to prove she’ll be fine without her.

10:00 PM/ET

CSI: Miami (CBS)

Horatio delves into Delko’s past to trap a killer when a gunman targets the motel where Delko is staying.

My Own Worst Enemy (NBC)

Mavis and Alistair disagree about how to rescue American hostages that Edward and Raymond discovered in Angola. Elsewhere, Dr. Skinner is questioned about her relationship with Edward.