NGTV Guide: Thursday, December 10

It’s a night of holiday-themed episodes and guest stars as TV land gets in the Christmas spirit!

Community – NBC 8/7c
“Comparative Religion” – A bully (Anthony Michael Hall) challenges Jeff, who’s also worried about failing Spanish. Elsewhere, Shirley plans a Christmas party for the gang without realizing that not all of them celebrate the holiday.

Bones – FOX 8/7c
“The Goop on the Girl” – In this first-ever on-screen pairing of the Deschanel sisters, Zooey Deschanel plays Margaret Whitesell, a distant relative of Dr. Brennan (Emily Deschanel). When Brennan’s father, Max (guest star Ryan O’Neal), makes contact with Margaret, he invites her to spend Christmas with him and his daughter. Meanwhile, Brennan and Booth (David Boreanaz) investigate the death of a man dressed as Santa Claus who was blown up after a botched bank robbery.

Fringe – FOX 9/8c
“Grey Matters” – A Fringe investigation is triggered when a patient at a mental institution undergoes an impromptu brain surgery that unexpectedly leaves his brain exposed. Despite the unthinkable circumstances, the patient’s condition and sanity miraculously improves before the Fringe team arrives. While Agent Dunham and Peter scan surveillance tapes (and Walter enjoys his pudding), Olivia recognizes a familiar face as Thomas Jerome Newton (guest star Sebastian Roche), the leader of the “shape-shifters.” As similar cases stack up, the Fringe team heads back to the lab to determine exactly how patients are being cured. Walter’s brains are put to the test and William Bell (guest star Leonard Nimoy) resurfaces.

30 Rock – NBC 9:30/8:30c
“Secret Santa” – Jack chances upon a former school flame (Julianne Moore) via a new social-networking site. Elsewhere, Kenneth struggles to arrange a holiday gift swap; Liz futilely tries to buy a gift for the finicky Jack; and a miffed Jenna must share her holiday solo performance.

The Mentalist – CBS 10/9c
“A Price Above Rubies” – Patrick Jane and the team are called to investigate the robbery and murder of a wealthy jeweler while attending a black tie fundraiser for the CBI