TV tonight: 'Elf,' 'The Voice' finale

Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas
NBC, 8 ET/PT

On the heels of NBC's Peter Pan and How Murray Saved Christmas comes this animated adaptation of the Broadway musical based on Will Ferrell's Elf. Jim Parsons is in fine vocal form, singing and speaking, as Buddy, the human who grew up thinking he was one of Santa's elves, and the songs — if not blockbusters — are unfailingly pleasant. The problem is that much of the humor of the live-action film came from the incongruous sight of a grown man dressed up as and behaving like an elf. In animation, that incongruity is lost: Buddy is just one more odd-looking, stop-motion creature. The story is still sweet, and the special is still a good choice for family viewing. But those who loved the film are likely to find the cartoon a tad less enchanting.

Prep & Landing
ABC, 9 ET/PT

ABC repeats its first two specials from Disney Animation, Prep & Landing and Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice. They're a bit lacking in the Christmas-heart department, but they're amusing, and the animation, as you'd have every reason to expect, is first-rate.

The Voice
NBC, 9 ET/PT

Here it is, Voice fans, the moment you've been waiting for: the crowning of the winner. Assuming you watched, here's hoping the person you most enjoyed watching wins.