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As the writers strike — or as I've come to call it, our long national nightmare — continues, I find relief in holiday episodes of cable TV shows.

I had "The Closer" and "Saving Grace" earlier this week, and now there's "Monk"(7 p.m.) and "Psych" (8 p.m.) on USA.

Even better news is that both shows will begin airing new episodes starting Jan. 11.

Yes, America, there is a Santa Claus.

On "Monk," everyone's favorite defective detective, Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), gets a bad name from those hatemongers in the media after he shoots a Santa who was tossing toys from a rooftop.

The bad publicity interferes with Monk discovering exactly what nefarious deeds the costumed man intended.

I'm sure Monk's fear of heights and distaste for joy of any kind won't cause a problem in this particular investigation.

"Psych," which follows the adventures of fake psychic detective Shawn (James Roday) and his unbelievably geeky sidekick Gus (Dule Hill), brings us an uplifting Christmas episode called "Gus' Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy."

Tonight, Shawn and his stickler papa, Henry (Corbin Bernson), try to celebrate Christmas with Gus and his parents.

The revelry comes to a halt when a neighbor is found murdered and Detective Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) finds evidence that implicates Gus' father.

Bah humbug.

"Movies Rock! A Celebration of Music & Film" (8 p.m., KRQE News 13) covers music's pivotal role in movies.

The two-hour special will revolve around music and the role it has played in redefining the film industry.

Segments include a piece about rap's growing influence and one on directors and their musical inspirations.

Performers and talking heads include Beyonc‚ Knowles, Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, Charlize Theron, Tony Bennett, Danny DeVito, Harrison Ford, John Williams and too many other people to mention in the wee space available.

"Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo," with its amazing music, dance and dialogue, better be featured or the producers shall feel my wrath.