TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Julia Roberts: An American Cinematheque Tribute" 6 p.m., AMC. Last year's ceremony was more of a roast than a tribute. The subject was George Clooney, who has a dark wit and clever friends. Many of them brought good material. Now Julia Roberts is honored. Expect lots of clips and fun; guests include Clooney, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Shirley MacLaine. And if you won't settle for clips? Roberts' "Pretty Woman" (1990) airs at 6 and 8:30 p.m. on TNT. A great actress makes up for a silly story.

"Life," 9 p.m., NBC. This above-average show wraps up a two-parter. Crews (Damian Lewis) is a cop who was wrongly convicted of murder. He's back on the job now, working other cases while probing his own. Previously, he heard that his partner's dad might have been involved in that case. Now he leaves a current case, to seek the real killer.

OF NOTE

"Rise of the Videogame," 6 p.m., Discovery. The documentary series reaches the point when graphics had improved; now the violence is more vivid, drawing complaints.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 6:30 p.m., Cartoon Network. This wonderful cartoon is touring the networks.

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," 7 p.m., ABC. With the strike depleting the supply of new episodes, networks are airing more specials. This one is a 1970 animated hour, with Fred Astaire narrating and Mickey Rooney as young Kris Kringle. He's determined to help Sombertown, where the mayor has banned toys.

"Deal or No Deal," 7 p.m., NBC. Here's another strike strategy, expanding a game show to two hours. At one point tonight, the game is played separately by a husband and a wife; she must decide, sight unseen, to take his deal or hers.

"Comfort and Joy" (2003), 7 p.m., Lifetime. This seems way too similar to the slicker "Family Man," but still is worth catching. Nancy McKeon plays a hard-driving career woman, transported to an alternate life.

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" (2002), 8 p.m., ABC Family. This dreadful movie starts with an awful concept: Young Justin sees his mom kissing someone in a Santa suit, fears an affair, and tries to be naughty to keep Santa away. Justin is jointly played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse, who seem too old and too untalented. They're better now (starring in "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody"); this movie isn't.

"Private Practice," 8 p.m., ABC. Sam and Naomi (Taye Diggs and Audra McDonald) aren't sure about their relationship; they've divorced each other, but have moments of lust and/or love. Meanwhile, Cooper has a secret relationship.

"CSI: NY," 9 p.m., CBS. Criss Angel plays, logically, a musician. While he's performing outside, someone is sawing a woman in half, in the theater. And it's not a trick.