MISSION OF MERCY

Primetime (ABC, Dec. 17, 10 p.m. ET) Oprah Winfrey travels to South Africa and talks to Diane Sawyer about a campaign to assist thousands of that country's children orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic.

HUMBUG IN WHOVILLE

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (WB, Dec. 18, 8 p.m. ET)

He's badder than Bad Santa—well, almost. Boris Karloff is the voice of the Yule spoiler in this 1966 animated classic based on Dr. Seuss's children's book.

SHINY HAPPY HOLIDAY

Boston Public (FOX, Dec. 19, 9 p.m. ET) The rock giants of R.E.M. are booked for a school fund-raiser at Christmas-time. Unlikely, you say? Well, Whitney Houston warbled at the prom last spring.

GIFT OF FAMILY

A Home for the Holidays (CBS, Dec. 23, 8 p.m. ET) Sheryl Crow, No Doubt and Mary J. Blige perform on the fifth annual special, which mixes music with inspiring stories of adoption.