TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"A Miser Brothers' Christmas," 7 p.m., ABC Family. Ever since "The Year Without Santa Claus," we kind of knew the Miser Brothers didn't get along. Nowadays, Heat Miser fumes about the bad image given to global warming; Snow Miser grumbles because the Ice Age got a bad name. Each blames the other. Still, their mom (Mother Nature, of course) has a much worse son. That's the North Wind, scheming to get Santa's job. What we have is a fun, new animated special, one that grown-ups can enjoy alongside kids. It has some fairly clever lines, a few bouncy songs, lots of action and (we hate to spoil this part) a happy ending.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Fargo" (1996, AMC), 6 p.m or "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946, NBC), 7 p.m. Separated by a half-century, here are classic movies that capture small-town life in the wintry part of the world. "Wonderful Life" is Frank Capra's optimistic tale of a decent banker (James Stewart) who feels he's a failure. "Fargo" is the Joel and Ethan Coen story of people who remain understated amid scheming and murder. Each was nominated for best picture; neither won (although the Coens won for best script and Frances McDormand for best actress). Both will be remembered, long after some best-picture winners are forgotten.

OF NOTE

"A Cranberry Christmas," 12:30 p.m., ABC Family. This new special (which debuted Monday) is part of an animation marathon that goes from 8 a.m. ("The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus") to 9 p.m. Some of the shows are OK, but viewers won't get involved in this tale of a deed dispute involving a cranberry bog. Still, the songs (co-written and sung by Barry Manilow) are fun.

"Hogfather" (2006 in England, 2007 in the U.S.), 6-10 p.m., Ion. In an alternate universe, Hogfather — that's sort of Santa Claus — is missing. Death (Ian Richardson) must take his place. It's really not his line of work, but his likable daughter will help. Filled with dark settings and dark humor, this is a surprisingly enjoyable film for grown-ups.

"Eleventh Hour," 7 p.m., CBS. In a change, CBS has scheduled this rerun of a so-so hour, in which 11-year-olds have heart attacks.

"America's Funniest Home Videos," 7 p.m., ABC. This rerun looks at Christmastime bungles.

"Surviving Christmas" (2004), 8-10 p.m., ABC. Ben Affleck plays a businessman who hires a family for Christmas. Audiences, apparently, weren't amused.

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," 7-9 p.m., Hallmark. A beautiful mom (Brooke Burns) is engaged to a guy who is — in the TV tradition — rich, handsome and deadly dull. Then her uncle (Henry Winkler) arrives, with a hunky stranger (Warren Christie) who was stranded at the airport. Approximately 98 percent of all viewers will know the rest; still, this is a surprisingly pleasant, watchable film.

"Will You Merry Me?" 7-9 p.m., Lifetime. Here's another new Christmas film. Wendie Malick and Cynthia Stevenson play moms squabbling during the holiday.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:29 p.m., NBC. Hugh Laurie hosts, with music by Kanye West.