TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"A Charlie Brown Christmas," 7 p.m., ABC. Here's another chance to see one of the great shows in TV history. Created in 1965, it has a charming minimalism, including fine little bursts of humor and music and true emotion. To round out the hour, there's a second cartoon, new and Christmas-themed.

"House," 7 p.m., Fox. Here's a rerun of the excellent season opener, with life in chaos. Wilson's girlfriend has died and House is partly to blame. Now Wilson has left, leaving House without his only friend. Meanwhile, there's a typically confusing case, involving the intense assistant to a feminist executive. House sputters some anti-feminist things, which his staff (and viewers) promptly ignore. It's a complex case, the start of another strong season for a terrific series.

TONIGHT'S ODDITY

"Momma's Boys," 9 p.m., NBC. A year ago, Jason Raff was producing feel-good television, with "Clash of the Choirs." Now comes the opposite — toxic television that leaves viewers feeling awful. That's mainly because of one of the moms chosen. Khalood Bojanowski makes it clear that she disapproves of her son making a match with a black woman. Or an Asian woman. Or a Jewish woman. Mainly, she wants a white Catholic, never married, who cooks and cleans. To their credit, the women in the show — black and white, serious and silly — seem to react with universal disdain. Still, this first hour is more about stirring up drama than about having thoughtful discussions. People scream and shout at each other a lot. Others seem thoroughly likeable. That includes the other two moms, all three sons and most of the 32 women; the show may get better, but for now, they seem like nice people trapped in a nasty hour.

OF NOTE

"The Spirit of Christmas," 7 p.m., MyNetwork TV (K5). Here's a two-hour burst of holiday music, much of it from great voices. Performers include Natalie Cole, Brian McKnight, Bo Bice, Al Jarreau, Tiffany and the Greater Los Angeles Gospel Choir.

"Mary Poppins" (1964), 8 p.m., ABC Family. It's another chance to see a classic for all ages. This won five Academy Awards (including Julie Andrews for best actress) and was nominated for eight more.

"The Mentalist," 8 p.m., CBS. Patrick Jane takes a special interest in a case because the widow (and key suspect) is his former psychiatrist.

"Eli Stone," 9 p.m., ABC. Desperate to learn if he'll always be alone, Eli asks for another peek into the future. The result stuns him for other reasons.

"Independent Lens: Wonders Are Many: The Making of Doctor Atomic," 9:30 p.m., PBS. An opera about the first atomic-bomb test? That makes sense, when you see this documentary. Gifted people — composer John Adams, director Peter Sellars and great singers — combined to mold "Doctor Atomic." Logically, this film was made by Jon Else, who had previously done a film on the bomb and a film on opera. He catches the process — flaws and all — and adds rich amounts of historical facts and footage.