Channel Surfing 12.10.08

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, Life, Ghost Hunters and Dog The Bounty Hunter reruns.

8:00 PM/ET

Pushing Daisies (ABC)

Olive and Emerson’s investigation of the peculiar murder of a lighthouse keeper (Mary Kay Place) may uncover some of the region’s murkier secrets. Meanwhile, Ned and Chuck have an unsettling encounter with someone from their past.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (ABC Family)

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.”

The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)

Christine and Barb are informed by a representative (Megan Mullally) of their gym’s parent company that they may lose their franchise because they broke a contractual clause.

Little Spirit: Christmas in New York (NBC)

Animation and holiday cheer blend when an amiable cabbie (voice of Danny DeVito) relates the tale of a boy (voice of Michael Hall D’Addario), a new arrival in Manhattan who takes a magical odyssey to find his lost dog with help from a mystical creature.

9:00 PM/ET

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (ABC Family)

Red Skelton narrates, while Frank Gorshin and Morey Amsterdam lend their voices to this tale about the reindeer on a mission for Santa. Johnny Marks’ score includes the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Private Practice (ABC)

Charlotte opens a private practice of her own, touching off a battle for patients (one of whom is Addison’s). Meanwhile, Dell proposes an in-house adoption program.

Criminal Minds (CBS)

The team searches for a serial killer who is targeting cops in Phoenix. The case is very personal for former police officer Morgan.

Life (NBC)

A murdered man is buried up to his neck and surrounded by flower petals in a home’s backyard. Crews and Reese believe the incident may be related to a cult from the 1970s. Elsewhere, Crews confronts Mickey Rayborn, despite warnings from the FBI.

Stylista (The CW)

The contestants must hold a model casting call for a fashion spread. Later, they are tasked to produce a fashion show for an undiscovered designer. Appearing: designer Zac Posen.

Ghost Hunters (SciFi Channel)

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Fort Constitution are probed in New Hampshire regarding claims of apparition sightings and other strange phenomena.

10:00 PM/ET

Jack Frost (ABC Family)

The winter sprite falls in love and yearns to become human in this musical tale featuring the voices of Buddy Hackett, Robert Morse, Larry Storch and Dave Garroway. Songs by Maury Laws and Jules Bass.

Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)

Patrick invites Carmelita to his inauguration and faces a possible public accusation of murder if Chase makes good on his threats. Meanwhile, Jeremy figures out why Simon has a hold on Nola; Brian makes promises to God as Andrea’s health suffers; and a dangerous intruder confronts Karen when she stops by Nick’s place.

CSI: New York (CBS)

A bizarre energy field near the Empire State Building is believed to have caused a billionaire’s disappearance and his limo driver’s death.

Law and Order (NBC)

The investigation of a memoir author’s murder leads Lupo and Bernard to a nightclub, a stalker and a possible cover-up.

Parking Wars (A&E)

A man tries to retrieve his car before it’s auctioned; and a ticket writer deals with irate citizens and a bad-hair day.

Top Chef: New York (Bravo)

The chefs must arrange a bridal shower for series judge Gail Simmons and also cook up a course for the event. Culinary magazine editor Dana Cowin is the guest judge.