Nothing says Christmas like the voice of William Shatner. OK, maybe not. The “Star Trek” star and master of late-night poetry readings narrates the holiday special “Gotta Catch Santa Claus” (6 p.m., ABC Family). The cartoon follows the efforts of 12-year-old Trevor as he and his pals try to catch Old St. Nick during his yearly rounds. Their audacious escapades are complicated by the arrival of LeFreeze, a monster with a century-old grudge against the jolly old soul.
“Gotta” is based on a 2005 comic book created by a teenager, Trevor Taylor, who serves as an executive producer on the project.
• PBS invites viewers to spend three hours in the Himalayas, exploring the forbidding landscape and artistic and spiritual treasures in the region between Nepal and Tibet, an area only recently opened to outsiders.
“Secrets of Shangri-la” (7 p.m., PBS, check local listings) follows explorers and scientists as they climb into human-carved caves thousands of years old containing 14th-century murals and hidden cache of religious texts. “Lost Cave Temples of the Himalaya” (8 p.m.) offers new theories about the history of this mysterious region, and “Mustang: Journey of Transformation” (9 p.m.) looks at efforts to rescue and restore ancient Buddhists temples, and with them, a way of life and worship that had been on the verge of extinction. Richard Gere narrates.
• In case you missed it, “Hank” was canceled last week. Airing in its place for the duration of the month are repeats of “Modern Family” (7 p.m., ABC). In tonight’s rerun, a lesson about bicycle care gets a bit carried away. On the original episode (8 p.m.), actor Edward Norton guest stars as a rock star who was Phil’s idol as a teen. Or at least that’s what Claire believes.
Tonight’s other highlights
• With her vows in tatters, Veronica faces a life-changing possibility on “Mercy” (7 p.m. NBC).
• Gary Sinise narrates Parts 6, 7 and 8 of “WWII in HD” (7 p.m., History).
• Romantic ballads come to the forefront on “Glee” (8 p.m., Fox).
• Rachelle loses her zip on “Living with Ed” (8 p.m., Planet Green).
• Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Danny Boome and Sunny Anderson offer tips on making the most of Thanksgiving leftovers on “Dear Food Network” (8 p.m., Food).
• Nobody’s feelin’ groovy after an incident at the 59th St. Bridge on “CSI: NY” (9 p.m., CBS).
• Janet Jackson sits down for an interview on “In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts” (9 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
A journalist (Bing Crosby) fears he’s losing his gal (Jane Wyman) to another man in the 1951 comedy “Here Comes the Groom” (9 p.m., TCM), directed by Frank Capra.
Series notes
Richard needs a favor on “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7 p.m., CBS) ... Two go home on “So You Think You Can Dance” (7 p.m., Fox) ... Tyra Banks hosts two helpings of “America’s Next Top Model” (7 p.m., CW) ... Gary’s feast festers on “Gary Unmarried” (7:30 p.m., CBS) ... A scratch turns into a crisis on “The Middle” (7:30 p.m., ABC) ... A killer preys on families on “Criminal Minds” (8 p.m., CBS) ... DNA links Benson to a homicide on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m., NBC) ... Jules’ two best friends share a mutual contempt on “Cougar Town” (8:30 p.m., ABC).
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