Viewers who cannot wait for the Golden Globes and other chances to watch rich Hollywood stars attend glittering gatherings of mutual admiration can turn to “George Clooney: An American Cinematheque Tribute” (7 p.m., AMC).

Part pep rally, part celebrity roast, these testimonial shindigs are supposed to honor artists in midcareer. They are a pat on the back, not a valedictory retrospective. So it’s easy to wonder just what all of the fuss is about.

Clooney is a handsome leading man and an ambitious actor, producer and director with plenty of opinions and a reputation for charity and social conscience. But will his body of film work stand up? Is he our era’s Clark Gable? Or, at best, our George Peppard?

In Clooney’s defense, past honorees have equally iffy midcareer credentials. Is John Travolta an actor for the ages? Tom Cruise? Mel Gibson? Nicole Kidman? Denzel Washington? Will audiences care about their movies in the year 2036? The Cinematheque seems to think so.

Celebrities including Julia Roberts, Salma Hayek, Morgan Freeman and Danny DeVito sing the praises of the two-time recipient of the “World’s Sexiest Man” title. A brief barrage of videotaped congratulations from political figures (Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama and Madeleine Albright) will make some confused viewers wonder whether a Democratic National Committee fundraiser broke out between the salad and pasta courses.

The real fun begins when Noah Wyle and Julianne Margulies show up to tease Clooney about his “ER” days and chide him for not casting them in any of his movies. “Maybe ‘Ocean’s Fifteen,”‘ jokes Margulies.

¢ President Bush and first lady Laura Bush are among those scheduled to be on hand for the “Christmas in Washington” (9 p.m., TNT) celebrations.

Look for performances by Taylor Hicks, Il Divo, Gretchen Wilson and Chris Brown. Phil McGraw and Robin McGraw host.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ On two episodes of “King of Queens” (CBS), on-the-job sparring (7 p.m.), a scary bedtime story (7:30 p.m.).

¢ Caroline Rhea hosts the two-hour finale of “The Biggest Loser” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ On two episodes of “Bones” (Fox), remains on a roof (7 p.m.), stranded in the Big Easy (8 p.m.).

¢ Hopper discovers a major piece in the conspiracy puzzle on “Day Break” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ The miniseries “The Lost Room” (8 p.m., Sci Fi) wraps up its freaky motel mystery.

¢ Allison’s dreams contradict expert findings on “Medium” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Scheduled on “Primetime” (9 p.m., ABC): basic instincts.