TONIGHT'S MUST-SEES

"American Dad," 8:30 p.m., Fox. Earlier this season, "Family Guy" had a sharp "Star Wars" parody. Now this show, from the same producers, tackles James Bond films.

The humor is inconsistent, but there are fine moments. That includes the villain's wretched movie scheme.

OF NOTE

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," 6 p.m., ABC. Taylor Lee watched both her parents die violently — her father in a car accident, her mother shot by an ex-boyfriend. At 12, Taylor held her three younger siblings together. They moved in with their aunt, uncle and three cousins, in Minnetonka, Minn. Now this becomes the 100th family to get a new help from "Makeover." This episode goes way overboard in milking the same emotions time after time. Still, the designers do a great job of helping a worthy family.

"Elf" (2003), 7 and 9 p.m., USA Network. Will Ferrell brings surprising warmth to this funny movie about a big guy who thought he was an elf.

"The Simpsons," 7 p.m., Fox. Kelsey Grammer returns to his role as the increasingly crazed Sideshow Bob. That leads to the ultimate showdown with Bart; in some areas (football permitting), there are reruns at 7 and 7:30.

"Christmas Caper," 8 p.m., ABC Family. Shannen Doherty plays a jewel thief, hiding out with her niece and nephew for the holidays. There is zero logic here, with her character truly terrible at hiding. Still, there's some fun. And yes, Doherty is convincing as an evil beauty.

"A Christmas Story" (1983), 6 and 7:45 p.m., TNT. Here's a much better holiday film — a great one, in fact.

"Desperate Housewives," 8p.m., ABC. Adam is startled by the return of a stalker.

"Cold Case," 8 p.m., CBS. A popular college student was killed 25 years ago. Now someone has scrawled "rapist" on his tombstone; the team looks for a victim-turned-killer.

"Shark," 9 p.m., CBS. A tennis star was stabbed five years ago. After Jessica fails to convict the assailant in a retrial, the star is killed.