WEDNESDAY 8 P.M. Sports Century, ESPN. "Pete Rozelle." Perhaps more than any other non-athlete, the former National Football League commissioner changed the American sports landscape. After the death of Bert Bell in 1959, NFL owners needed a new chief. Rozelle, GM of the (then) Los Angeles Rams, was a compromise winner. He would go on to make the sport the most popular in the country. Today most people who follow sports follow the National ... Football ... League (cue the first few bars of the theme for Monday Night Football).

THURSDAY 8 P.M. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, WSTR-TV 64. The original animated special, not the unsettling live-action movie. Have a roast beast sandwich and enjoy.

THURSDAY 8 P.M. Biography, A&E. "Santa Claus." Celebrate the enchantment embodied within the legend of one of history's most beloved figures. Though rooted in various religions, Santa also symbolizes the secular spirit of generosity. Adored by children worldwide, but often with a different name and emanating from disparate myths, he continues to create instantaneous mirth and joy. Join us on a jolly journey through time to reveal his roots -- from the Roman Befana to the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht, from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus. You know we have our friends at Coca-Cola to thank for the modern rendering of Santa. Poor Pepsi!

FRIDAY 8 P.M. Christmas in New York, Travel Channel. Christmas is New York City's finest hour, when the bustling metropolis transforms into a wonderland for tourists and locals alike. From the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to New Years' Eve, find out how New York makes the holiday season so festive. Just hold on to your wallet.

FRIDAY 9 P.M. Legend of U-166, The History Channel. Here's a neat little lost tale from WWII ("The big one," as Archie Bunker used to say). July 31, 1942. The Nazi submarine U-166 sinks a U.S. freighter in the Gulf of Mexico, and all hands are lost, including 150 survivors from another U-boat attack that the freighter had just rescued. Shortly afterward, the U-166 suddenly and mysteriously disappears beneath the waves. It had been believed that an airplane sank the boat 120 miles away, but now that the wreck of the U-166 has been found in the Gulf it appears that a Coast Guard escort ship might have sank it.

SUNDAY 9 P.M. Volcano High, MTV. The award-winning Asian martial arts film is presented "MTV style." Does that mean with lots of commercials and only a few minutes of viable programming? Just kidding! With a Hip Hop soundtrack and an impressive assembly of dubbed celebrity voices, Volcano High attempts to blend stunning martial arts wire-work and dazzling special effects in a witty, stylized high school setting. Stars Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Andre 3000, Big Boi, Tracy Morgan, Foxy Brown, Lil Jon, Mia, Kelis and more.

TUESDAY 9 P.M. Mostly True Stories: Urban Legends Revealed, TLC. In a holiday themed installment, we see the old "Dad dressed up as Santa and got stuck in the chimney ... where he died!!!" Happy holidays.

NEWS & NOTES: Despite battling cylons that wanted to wipe them out, as well as mixed reviews, the ragtag fleet of Sci-Fi's new Battlestar Galactica drew the highest ratings for a cable mini-series in 2003. ... Mark "Survivor" Burnett's next foray into reality TV will be The Casino on Fox. Look for great headlines like "Fox Bets the House on The Casino" or "Fox Gambles on Burnett's new series."