TBOExtra.com - TBOExtra is Tampa Bay Entertainment Online

TV And Tinsel Time: A Winning Combination

By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: December 25, 2008

Related Links

More On TV

TAMPA - Nothing says Christmas Day like Miley Cyrus and Mickey Mouse, unless it's the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The last round of Christmas programming for 2008 airs on television today. From the secular to the sacred, there's plenty to watch between opening presents and stuffing yourself with ham or turkey:

•Teen singing sensation Miley "Hannah Montana" Cyrus opens the 25th annual "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade" at 10 a.m. on ABC with "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."

Hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, the parade features performances taped this month at Disney parks in Orlando and Anaheim, Calif. Also performing: "American Idol" winner David Cook, the Jonas Brothers, David Archuleta, Corbin Bleu, and Jose Feliciano doing his classic "Feliz Navidad."

•The famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir runs through traditional Christmas songs from "O Holy Night" to "Little Drummer Boy" at noon on PBS outlet WEDU, Channel 3.

•Stick with WEDU for an Irish-flavored holiday with "Celtic Women: A Christmas Celebration" at 2 p.m.

•The 24-hour "A Christmas Story" marathon ends at 8 tonight on TBS. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this classic holiday comedy by watching little Ralphie get that Red Ryder BB gun.

•WUSF, Channel 16, offers an entire day of Christmas music and celebration beginning with a Catholic Mass at 7 a.m. and continuing through a Boston Pops concert at 10 a.m. and The Nutcracker ballet at noon.

•ABC Family salutes Bing Crosby with the 1954 holiday musical "White Christmas" at noon.

•TCM offers "King of Kings," the 1961 Hollywood epic about the life of Christ at 1 p.m.

•The Hallmark Channel has a marathon of nine made-for-Hallmark Christmas movies beginning at 9 a.m.

•CNN shows "The Two Marys" at 4 p.m. and "The Mystery of Jesus" at 5 p.m.

Walt Belcher