Linus dominates the 1966 animated special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (7 p.m., ABC). This is arguably the best of the holiday treats featuring the “Peanuts” characters created by the late Charles Schulz. (In full disclosure, “Peanuts” and this column are distributed by United Feature Syndicate.)

I can’t help feeling that “Great Pumpkin” would have a hard time making it to the airwaves in today’s cultural climate. Just as “A Charlie Brown Christmas” would be considered too religious by contemporary standards, “Great Pumpkin” trades in themes some might consider dangerously pagan or pantheistic. After all, the blanket-clutching Linus professes a personal belief in an autumn squash with Higher Powers.

Timid network executives would probably nix Lucy’s endorsement of psychology. Schroeder’s Beethoven obsession would be too Eurocentric for some tastes. Dead White Men and all that. And seriously, who – outside of a Starbucks – listens to jazz any more? Ditch that Vince Guaraldi score and find something edgier!

Snoopy’s delusion that he is a World War I flying ace would also find itself on the cutting-room floor. After all, today’s TV geniuses would never give young viewers credit for having any knowledge of World War I.

Like the great bald hero of the “Peanuts” universe, I find myself banging my head against a tree and crying out, “Good Grief!”

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ The Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox meet in Game Three of the World Series (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ If it’s Tuesday, it must be Burkina Faso, on “The Amazing Race: Family Edition” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ International intrigue, bribery and political corruption take center stage as corporations struggle for possession of the world’s largest gold mine in “The Curse of Inca Gold” on “Frontline/World” (8 p.m., PBS).

¢ A petty thief discovers the power of Karma on a repeat of the pilot episode of “My Name is Earl” (8:30 p.m., NBC).

¢ A murderer claims divine inspiration on “Close to Home” (9 p.m., CBS).