‘A Christmas Story’

I triple-dog-dare you to watch the 24-hour marathon of the 1983 film based on Jean Shepherd’s book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.” Set in the 1940s, it follows young Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) as he goes on a quest for a Red Ryder air rifle and ... oh, you know the rest (“You’ll shoot your eye out”). Marathon begins at 8 p.m. on TBS (seattletimes.com/tvlistings).

Also on Monday

“Disney Prep & Landing,” 8 p.m. (ABC): An elite unit of elves, Prep & Landing, ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared to be visited by Santa Claus each Christmas Eve.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), 8 p.m. (NBC): Ruined by a miser on Christmas Eve, a suicidal family man sees life anew thanks to his guardian angel.

“How to Train Your Dragon” (2010), 8 p.m. (FX): A misfit Viking teenager sees a chance to change the course of his clan’s future when he befriends an injured dragon. Animated. Based on the book by Cressida Cowell.

“A Christmas Celtic Sojourn Live,” 9 p.m. (KBTC): Musicians, singers and dancers perform traditional holiday music, dances, poetry and stories at Emerson College’s Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston.

“Christmas at Luther: Tidings of Comfort and Joy,” 10 p.m. (KCTS): The choirs of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, present a Christmas celebration with holiday music, 500 choristers and a symphony orchestra.

“Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” 10 p.m. (Food): A basement joint serves waffles with their fried chicken; a Cuban joint serves salt-cured beef dish.

The New York Times