No Post-Holiday Letdown in Sight on the Small Screen

A classic Oscar-winning film, the Kennedy Center Honors and a new dramatization of “It’s a Wonderful Life” are among the special television events this holiday weekend.

Gregory Peck received an Oscar for his memorable performance as Atticus Finch in the 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird,” airing at 8 tonight on Channel 7. Robert Duvall (in his film debut), Mary Badham and Philip Alford also star in Horton Foote’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel.

Bill Pullman, Nathan Lane, Martin Landau, Sally Field and Hal Holbrook are among the stars of “Merry Christmas, George Bailey,” also airing at 8 tonight, on KCET-TV Channel 28. The benefit performance of the 1947 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” was taped Dec. 8 at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Lauren Bacall, Charlton Heston, Bob Dylan, Jessye Norman and Edward Villella are recognized for their lifetime achievements on “The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts,” Friday at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. Gregory Peck, Bruce Springsteen, Lynn Redgrave and Joanne Woodward are among those offering tributes to the performers.

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Today

TBS presents six hours of the wholesome Michael Landon series, “Little House on the Prairie,” beginning at 5:05 a.m.

NBC offers an NBA doubleheader, starting at noon on Channel 4 with the Houston Rockets battling the Utah Jazz. The Miami Heat meet the Chicago Bulls in the second game, which also features the debut of the new announcing team of Bob Costas and Isiah Thomas.

Melissa Joan Hart and Ben Savage host ABC’s 15th annual “A Magical Walt Disney World Christmas” at 4 p.m. on Channel 7. Mickey Mouse and his Disney pals appear in the colorful procession down Main Street U.S.A.

“Bringin’ in the Holidays With BeBe Winans & Friends,” at 4 p.m. on Channel 9, features the popular singer performing Christmas music with Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish, All-4-One, the Winans Brothers and Sounds of Blackness at the Church of the Harvest in Los Angeles.

Art Mann chats with such celebrities as Nicolas Cage and Jane Seymour on “Art Mann’s 10th Anniversary Winter Special,” at 6 p.m. on E! Entertainment Television.

Maureen O’Hara and Richard Thomas star in the repeat of the 1995 CBS holiday drama “The Christmas Box,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2.

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Friday

KTLA presents a marathon of Jackie Gleason’s comedy series, “The Honeymooners,” beginning at 10 a.m. on Channel 5. Episodes continue until 2 p.m. and then run from 5 to 10 p.m.

Steve Kmetko and Gina St. John host “E! News Year in Review ‘97,” at 6 p.m. on E! Entertainment Television.

June Anderson, Samuel Ramey and Bryn Terfel are among the famed opera singers performing on PBS’ “The Richard Tucker Opera Gala and Art Gallery,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 28.

Correspondents Bill Blakemore and Ned Potter look at the top 10 science stories of 1997 on “Discovery News,” at 9 p.m. on the Discovery Channel.

Saturday

A&E;’s “Investigative Reports,” at 6 and 10 p.m., looks at the process of electing a successor to the current Pope John Paul II on “The Men Who Would Be Pope.”

Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase host the Nashville Network retrospective “This Year in Country Music,” at 7 p.m.

Fox presents “Keeping America’s Promise: A Report to the Nation by General Colin Powell,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 11. The hourlong special features the stories of five extraordinary Americans.

ABC presents the 1977 hit comedy “Oh, God!,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 7. The late George Burns and John Denver star in director Carl Reiner’s amusing tale.

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Sunday

“Peter Ustinov’s Mendelssohn,” at 2 p.m. on Channel 28, finds the Oscar-winning actor visiting Leipzig, Berlin and Weimar, the cities where 19th century composer Felix Mendelssohn lived and worked.

“Uncommon Americans,” at 5 and 9 p.m on A&E;, looks at selfless individuals who work to improve the lives of young people.

A&E; presents “The Canadian Brass: A Christmas Special,” at 6 and 10 p.m.

Bruce Dern narrates TBS’ wildlife documentary “Mojave Adventure,” at 6 p.m.

E! Entertainment Television presents the documentary “Natalie Wood: The E! True Hollywood Story,” at 8 p.m.

Peter Falk and Woody Allen star in CBS’ update of Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. The comedy, adapted by Simon from his hit 1972 play, has been sitting on the shelf since it was filmed in early 1995. Sarah Jessica Parker and Whoopi Goldberg also star.