Tune In Tonight: Christmas specials too early this year

According to my calendar, we’re still in November. But the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime have been churning out Christmas movies at a furious pace for weeks now! And the networks have already aired many of the holiday’s most anticipated specials. “Christmas In Rockefeller Center” (7 p.m., NBC) is already a repeat. Call me old-fashioned, but somehow this all seems too much too soon.

Viewers who don’t resent the onrush and are looking for something new could do worse than “CeeLo’s Magic Moment” (7 p.m., TV Guide). This special, taped in that Christmassy village known as Las Vegas, features “The Voice” judge warbling Christmas carols and holiday favorites with Miss Piggy, Kermit, Gonzo and other assorted Muppets, as well as Eric Benet, Rod Stewart and singers made famous by their appearance on “The Voice.”

With so many musical competition shows and other reality-TV variations on the traditional variety show, I’m surprised and disappointed that there aren’t more specials like this. Who wouldn’t want to see a Christmas episode of “Dancing With the Stars” or “American Idol”? Or better yet, an “American Idol/X Factor Christmas Carol,” with Simon Cowell returning as Scrooge? Clay Aiken was born to play Tiny Tim.

There was a time when many popular series at least incorporated Christmas themes into their plots. On “Dragnet,” Joe Friday even took time from lecturing punks on the evils of marijuana to celebrate a holiday miracle or two.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Stanford hosts UCLA in the Pac-12 Championship (7 p.m., Fox).

• A resort owner returns to “Undercover Boss” (7 p.m., CBS).

• A hidden guest causes seizures in a 7-year-old on “Monsters Inside Me” (7 p.m., Animal Planet).

• Campus life can be murder on “Blue Bloods” (9 p.m., CBS).

• Mulling her imminent disappearance, Audrey stumbles upon a confrontation with the Bolt Gun Killer on “Haven” (9 p.m., Syfy).