KTLA’s annual gift to Hollywood; ‘The Fifties’ make the History Channel; best comedy usage on Fox

Sunday

“The Hollywood Christmas Parade” / 6 and 11 p.m. KTLA

Tom Arnold is grand marshal of the 66th annual procession featuring celebs, marching bands, equestrian units, floats and antique cars. Bob Eubanks and Leeza Gibbons co-host the live two-hour telecast covering the glittery parade during its 3.2-mile route through Tinseltown. Kate Mulgrew (“Star Trek: Voyager”), Gena Lee Nolin (“Baywatch”) and KLOS-FM wise guys Mark & Brian will be waving to the crowd. As always, however, the real star of this event is Santa Claus.

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“The Fifties” / 6 and 10 p.m. History Channel. Continues Monday-Friday

The decade of “Father Knows Best,” “Ozzie and Harriet,” Betty Friedan, Marilyn Monroe, Playboy, Martin Luther King, Elvis and Jack Kerouac is recounted in an eight-hour miniseries based on David Halberstam’s book. Alternately innocent and tumultuous, the era unfolds through a combination of newsreels, commercials, TV shows and home movies. The two-hour opener, titled “The Fear and the Dream,” examines the post-World War II climate of growing families, suburbia, bomb shelters and the Cold War.

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“Borrowed Hearts: A Holiday Romance” / 9 p.m. CBS

“Touched by an Angel’s” Roma Downey wings her way to wealth in this new TV movie. Set in New England, the story finds Downey playing Kathleen, a struggling single mother with a young daughter (Sarah Rosen Fruitman). Across town is Kathleen’s boss Sam (Eric McCormack), a bachelor on the verge of selling his factory. To seal the deal, Sam must convince the buyer (Hector Elizondo) he is a family man, which leads Kathleen to pose as his wife.

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“Shoot the Clock: Fitting Your Life Into Your Life” / 10 p.m. Lifetime

Compromise is the key for women trying to balance the time they devote to work, family and themselves. This hourlong documentary from producer Linda Ellerbee examines the challenges faced by six women in various positions at a department store in Reading, Pa. One sacrificed family for career and is now divorced. Another gets by with the help of a full-time baby sitter. Where do you fit in?

Tuesday

“American Comedy Honors” / 8 p.m. Fox

Accolades and ample clips fill out this two-hour special recognizing, in the words of co-host David Hyde Pierce, “six great practitioners of the comedic arts.” Pierce works with diminutive Jonathan Lipnicki (“Meego”) to toast the talent of Kelsey Grammer, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Candice Bergen, Roseanne, Cybill Shepherd and Tim Conway. Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Martin Mull, Fred Willard, Lily Tomlin, Peter Bogdanovich and the Wayans family, who with winks refer to brother Keenen as “a source of income,” salute the honorees.

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“The 10 Most Fascinating People of 1997” / 10 p.m. ABC

The fifth annual list ranges from Ellen DeGeneres and Elton John to Tiger Woods and Kathie Lee Gifford. In addition, there is Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Lord of the Dance” Michael Flatley, Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and cloning scientist Dr. Ian Wilmut. As always, host Barbara Walters keeps a lid on the 10th name. Guess it if you can.

Thursday

“Steve Allen’s 75th Birthday Celebration” / 7:30 p.m. KCET

Hi ho Stevorino! The quick-witted comic, composer, author, musician and first host of “The Tonight Show” is guest of honor at an all-star bash taped last fall at USC. (As resident party-pooper, we should note that Allen will turn 76 on Dec. 26.) Bill Maher (“Politically Incorrect”) is emcee for the tribute featuring bons mots from Milton Berle, Jackie Mason, Rodney Dangerfield and Steve Martin. Allen will appear in-studio during breaks of the show airing as part of KCET’s pledge drive.

Saturday

“Stomp Out Loud” / 8 p.m. HBO

A hit with critics and theatergoers, this award-winning sensation comes to the small screen with a slightly different look. Mixing movement, percussion and visual comedy, the special uses New York City locations--rooftops, billboards, alleys and warehouses--as a backdrop for its energetic performers who “find beautiful noise in the strangest places.” That noise is created by unlikely objects of rhythm--among them hubcaps, car parts, cans, brooms, keys and poles.