NBC's Annie Live! Leads a Bevy of Special Holiday Programming

Where will Annie Live! rank among the ten other live TV musicals of the modern era? We'll find out tonight when the show's (many) stars take the stage live from Gold Coast Studios in Long Island, NY. Also today:Alec Baldwin talks the Rust tragedy with ABC News, Netflix diversifies its holiday movie library with Single All the Way, and RuPaul stars in the new VH1 holiday comedy The Bitch Who Stole Christmas. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this Thursday:

Annie Live!: Special presentation. NBC puts a new spin on the beloved Broadway musical in this live production starring newcomer Celina Smith as Annie, Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, and Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hanigan. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

Alec Baldwin: Unscripted: Special presentation. The actor sits down with ABC's George Stephanopoulos for his first in-depth interview since the deadly on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on ABC

The Bitch Who Stole Christmas: TV movie. A workaholic fashion journalist (Krysta Rodriguez) is sent to a Christmas-obsessed small town to dig up a story whes she finds herself caught up in a high-stakes “Winter Ball” competition and uncovers a plot that could destroy Christmas forever. Also stars RuPaul and a bevy of familiar faces from Drag Race, including judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews, and queens Ginger Minj, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Peppermint, Jan Sport, Jaymes Mansfield, to name just a few.m Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on VH1

Baking It: Complete first season. Eight teams of talented home bakers must create outstanding creations in hopes of winning a cash prize in Peacock’s new cooking competition, hosted and executive produced by Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg. Watch trailer. Streaming on Peacock

RuPaul’s Drag Race: Season 14 “RuVeal”: Special presentation. Reigning queen Symone, announces the Queens of Drag Race Season 14 in a first-look preview. 8:00 PM ET on VH1

Queen of the Universe: Series premiere. RuPaul’s big day continues with a new drag singing competition executive produced by the Drag Race host. With judges Vanessa Williams, Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel, and Leona Lewis, and host Graham Norton. Watch trailer. Streaming on Paramount+

Listening to Kenny G: Original documentary. HBO’s Music Box documentary film series continues with an intimate look at the life and career of jazz icon Kenny G. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on HBO

Single All the Way: Original film. Desperate to avoid his family’s judgement about his perpetual single status, Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to pose as his boyfriend over the holidays, but his plans go awry after Peter’s mom (Kathy Najimy) sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer (Luke Macfarlane). Jennifer Coolidge, Barry Bostwick, and Jennifer Robertson also star. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Santa Inc.: Complete first season. When the successor to Santa Claus is poached by Amazon on Christmas Eve, Candy, the highest-ranking elf in the North Pole, sets out to achieve her dream of becoming the first woman Santa Claus in the history of Christmas. The adult animated series boasts an all-star voice cast that includes Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, Nicholas Braun, Craig Robinson, Leslie Grossman, and more. Watch trailer. Streaming on HBO Max

Thursday Night Football: The Dallas Cowboys face the New Orleans Saints on the road in a key NFC matchup. 8:20 PM ET/5:20 PM PT on FOX

Shaq Life: Season premiere. In the wake of the pandemic, Shaquille O’Neal finds new motivation in his work, his family, and his philanthropy, all while dealing with the devastating losses of his sister and former teammate Kobe Bryant. Two episodes air back-to-back every Thursday night. 9:00 PM ET on TNT

CLASSIC HOLIDAY MOVIES AND SPECIALS

Home Alone: Eight-year-old troublemaker Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he's accidentally left by his family before their Christmas vacation in this 1990 classic. Watch trailer. 3:10 PM ET on Freeform

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York: History repeats itself when nine-year old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally separated from his family and find himself on his own in the big city. Watch trailer. 5:40 PM ET on Freeform

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) decides to play it safe and celebrate the holidays at home, only to have Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), an out of control dog, and a series of inevitable mishaps threaten to blow up his holiday cheer faster than a match tossed in a backed-up sewer line. 8:00 on AMC

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: . Jim Carrey plays the misanthropic Grinch, a solitary creature who tries to ruin Christmas by stealing gifts from nearby Whoville, in Ron Howard's 2000 adaptation of Dr. Seuss' beloved book of the same name. 8:20 PM ET on Freeform

Visit our Holiday Viewing Guide for a complete listing of where to watch classic holiday specials and movies throughout the month of December.

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.