Viewers to soon get ‘Lost’ in the shuffle

What was it Clement Moore said about a “long winter’s nap?” That may not be a bad way to describe a strike-shortened network schedule. Not one scripted network series airing tonight is original. That hardly matters for “CSI,” a series that appears to crush the competition even in repeats.

Reality television and games pick up the slack. The musical holiday competition “Clash of the Choirs” (7 p.m., NBC) completes its short four-episode season. Now that’s a novel idea: a reality series that doesn’t run forever. It seems like only yesterday (actually, it was the pre-Christmas season two years ago) that “Deal or No Deal” appeared for a tryout. And, by gosh, it’s had the staying power of that “To Catch A Predator” series.

The quest for $1.5 million (just who came up with that number?) continues on “Duel” (7 p.m., ABC). And Wayne Brady exhorts his players “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (8 p.m., Fox). Jeff Foxworthy’s “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” (7 p.m., Fox) has added little to the popular culture. Unless, of course, you were surprised to learn that “American Idol” star Kellie Pickler was unaware (it would be impolite to use the word “ignorant”) of the existence of Hungary, thought Europe was a country and had her doubts about France. “Smarter” may not be on everybody’s radar, but it has held its own on a competitive night.

But reality fare won’t rule Thursday nights forever. Just last week, ABC announced that “Lost,” or at least those completed before the writers strike, will air in the “Grey’s Anatomy” slot beginning Jan. 31. “Lost” fans have got to be happy about that. We may not get a whole season, but we may get some answers. Just what was that “flash-forward” all about?

Christmas specials, cartoons and movies

¢ Jim Carrey stars in the 2000 adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (7 p.m., Family).

¢ Li’l D skates the far edge of Santa’s nice list on the “Class of 3000 Christmas Special” (7 p.m., Cartoon Network).

¢ “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” (7:30 p.m., Food) visits a real gingerbread man.

¢ A country singer (Dolly Parton) and a rustic (Lee Majors) save orphans from a witch (Anita Morris) just in time for the holidays in the 1986 made-for-TV holiday film “A Smoky Mountain Christmas” (8 p.m., CMT).

¢ On two holiday-themed episodes of “American Chopper” (TLC), the Teutels create a 2004-model sleigh (8 p.m.), and a motorcycle for the Make-a-Wish Foundation (9 p.m.).

¢ Rob Lowe plays a yuppie whose heart undergoes a merger and acquisition in the 2002 romance “The Christmas Shoes” (8 p.m., Lifetime). Kimberly Williams co-stars.

¢ Lost in a Christmas theme park on “Ben 10” (8 p.m., Cartoon Network).

¢ LeAnn Rimes and Bernadette Peters star in the 1997 weepy “Holiday in Your Heart” (8:50 p.m., Lifetime Movie Network).

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ On two episodes of “Last One Standing” (Discovery), West Java (7 p.m.), two in a canoe in Vanuatu (8 p.m.)

¢ Earl mediates a gang war “My Name is Earl” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ Jerry Seinfeld appears on “30 Rock” (8:30 p.m., NBC).

¢ On two episodes of “CSI” (CBS), the miniature killer (7 p.m.), Sarah’s life is threatened (8 p.m.).

¢ Meredith becomes a reluctant mentor on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Dennis Hopper narrates “The Seven Ages of Rock: Heavy Metal” (8 p.m., VH1 Classic).

¢ Michael organizes a charity on “The Office” (9 p.m., NBC).