TELEVISION: THE YULE SPECIALS WERE PLACED ON THE NETWORKS WITH CARE, IN HOPES THAT THE AUDIENCE SOON WOULD BE THERE.

Byline: Keith Marder Daily News Television Writer

Television networks and cable stations are doing their best to keep you home for the holidays.

In addition to the usual assortment of parades and college football bowl games, there will be specials for both young and old; holiday-themed episodes of your favorite shows (and probably also the ones you don't like) and big-event programming.

There is no reason to go out during the holidays if you don't want to. You can stay at home with your family and your best friend, the family television.

The following is a list of some programming assured to brighten up even a joyous holiday season:

Wednesday

Hey, Arnold: Arnold's Thanksgiving, Nickelodeon, 8 p.m. Arnold and Helga participate in a school pageant that paints an idyllic picture of family togetherness on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the kids' reality is the opposite. In the end, they learn the true meaning of the holiday.

Thursday

Friends: The One With All the Thanksgiving, NBC, 8 p.m. Everybody's favorite New York underachievers have flashbacks to their worst Thanksgivings. Chandler remembers the year he found out that his father was unfaithful; Monica looks back at the year she met Chandler (she was fat, he was mean), and Ross recalls being ignored by Rachel.

Nov. 23

Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist, Comedy Central, 10 p.m. Dr. Katz invites his ex-wife (voiced by Carrie Fisher) to indulge in a dysfunctional family Thanksgiving.

Nov. 25

Celine Dion: These Are Special Times, CBS, 9 p.m. ``Titanic'' singer Celine Dion will perform her hits and Christmas standards in her first American network television special.

The World's Greatest Magic V, NBC, 8 p.m.

Nov. 26

It's a Wonderful Life, NBC, noon. The most-watched Christmas movie of all time will be seen again.

A Winnie-the-Pooh Thanksgiving, ABC, 8 p.m. The chubby bear and his pals learn that Thanksgiving is for being thankful for what you have, not what you think you should have.

Nov. 28

CMA'S 40th Anniversary Celebration: Country Music's Biggest Homecoming, CBS, 8 p.m. Some of the biggest names in country music, such as Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Glen Campbell, the Dixie Chicks, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes and Travis Tritt, will participate. The special looks back at 40 years of music with performances and tributes.

Nov. 29

Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within, Showtime, 8 p.m. Timothy Hutton stars as Aldrich Ames, a disillusioned CIA agent who sells information to the KGB to pay off a massive debt.

Tony Bennett: Storytellers for VH1 Save the Music, VH1, 8 p.m. The benefit show features silky crooner Tony Bennett and the Backstreet Boys.

Nov. 30

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, CBS, 8 p.m. Television's longest-running special rides again.

Dec. 2

A Charlie Brown Christmas, CBS, 8 p.m. An Emmy and Peabody Award-winning special about a boy, his dog and his friend with the security blanket in search of the true meaning of Christmas.

A Garfield Christmas Special, CBS, 8:30 p.m. Garfield the cat, Jon and Odie hunker down for a good old-fashioned family Christmas.

Dec. 7

The 1998 Billboard Music Awards, Fox, 8 p.m. Musical stars ranging from Hole to Shania Twain to the Backstreet Boys to Lauryn Hill to Natalie Imbruglia will perform at the event that will originate from the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino.

Dec. 11

Frosty the Snowman, CBS, 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Another animated classic, narrated by Jimmy Durante. The show is based on the song of the same name.

Dec. 12

Rugrats Chanukah, Nickelodeon, 8 p.m. Tommy leads the babies into another adventure to save Grandpa Boris from the Meany of Chanukah.

The Year Without a Santa Claus, CBS, 8 p.m. An animated tale, starring Mickey Rooney and Shirley Booth, about a forgotten and tired Santa who takes off the day before Christmas until Mrs. Claus and the elves cheer him up.

Dec. 13

The World's Funniest, Fox, 7 p.m. A look at some holiday-related mishaps and wacky moments.

Dec. 14

Chicken Soup for the Soul, Pax, 9 p.m. Meredith Baxter, Martin Sheen, David Charvet and Paula Abdul star in the adaptation of the best-selling inspirational books.

Dec. 15

Rugrats: The Santa Experience, Nickelodeon, 8 p.m. The families take to the mountains in search of the perfect Christmas. Tommy and Chuckie lay traps for Santa, and Chuckie's dad dresses up as the bearded one and tries to fit down the chimney.

Just Shoot Me: How the Finch Stole Christmas, NBC, 9 p.m. Kelsey Grammer narrates this holiday episode of the standout sitcom. It sort of combined ``The Grinch that Stole Christmas'' and ``A Charlie Brown Christmas.''

Dec. 16

Kathie Lee: Christmas Every Day, CBS, 9 p.m. Regis' other half sings the songs of the season with guest performances by the likes of Pam Tillis, `N' Sync, the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and the Air Force Chorale.

Dec. 18

Winnie-the-Pooh & Christmas, Too, ABC, 8 p.m.

Dec. 20

Nagano '98 Olympics: Bud Greenspan's Stories of Honor and Glory, Showtime, 8 p.m. A documentary look at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

Dec. 21

Christmas at Home With the Stars, Pax, 8 p.m. Musical and television stars such as Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Kenny G, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Barry Manilow and Carly Simon invite viewers into their homes and perform Christmas tunes.

Dec. 30

The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 9 p.m. Bill Cosby, Willie Nelson, Andre Previn, Shirley Temple Black and the team of John Kandler and Fred Ebb will be honored.

Dec. 31

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 99, ABC, 11:30 p.m.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: CBS' award-winning special ``A Charlie Brown Christmas,'' to be shown at 8 p.m. Dec. 2, focuses on a boy, his dog and his friends in search of the true meaning of Christmas.