Tonight's TV Hot List: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009

A Home for the Holidays with Faith Hill
8/7c CBS
Adoption is a subject that is close to Faith Hill's heart. She was adopted as an infant and returns to host this 11th annual event to raise awareness of adoption. She is joined by fellow adoptee Michael Franti, who performs "Have a Little Faith." Also showing their support are native Oklahoma superstars Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire. Other performers include Mary J. Blige and Shakira. In addition to the musical performances, the hour highlights stories about children who have been adopted and those who are still waiting to join a loving family. ? Tim Holland

Dog the Bounty Hunter
9/8c A&E
Dog and Beth celebrate the holidays by talking about a bounty of a different nature. They invite viewers into their home for a family gathering, where the members share the bountiful blessings they have and how each person has changed through the years. It's not a complete break from bounty hunting though, as they also share their favorite moments in the pursuit of fugitives. ? Bill Ecklund

Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...
10/9c Sundance
Host Elvis Costello sets out to "build a band" and recruits master craftsmen ? pianist Allen Toussaint, drummer Levon Helm, guitarist Richard Thompson and bassist Nick Lowe ? for the job. Each star gets a chance to shine individually, but it's when they pool their talents that things take off. The final two numbers percolate as they take a funky ride with Toussaint's "A Certain Girl" and then load up with even more talent as singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne joins in on a chill-inducing sing-along to the Band's "The Weight." ? Ray Stackhouse

Biography
11/10c Bio
It's unfortunate that the last thing many people remember about the brilliant and intense actor Joaquin Phoenix is his awkward February 2009 interview (if you could call it that) with David Letterman. It would be good then to revisit his career and achievements in this profile, which recalls his unconventional childhood and rise to fame in the films Gladiator (2000), The Village (2004) and Walk the Line (2005). ? Bill Ecklund

Christmas at Belmont 2009
8/7c PBS
Joy to the world! Country music star Trisha Yearwood fulfills the ho-ho-host duties for the annual Christmas concert held at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where various Belmont University ensembles perform such classics as "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." ? Michael Chant