Most televised award shows celebrate accomplished actors and performers, but for one very special night, CNN will honor everyday people, who are making extraordinary strides in their communities to make the world a better place, during their fifth annual 'CNN Heroes' broadcast.

"I've never gone through a whole show without tearing up backstage somewhere," host Anderson Cooper revealed in this exclusive behind the scenes clip. "When you tune in to watch 'Heroes,' you really are transported and transformed in a way."

Joining Cooper will be 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 13 winner, J.R. Martinez, who will co-host the pre-show of 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute' on Dec. 11. Before joining the cast of ABC's 'All My Children,' Martinez, an United States Army infantryman, was badly injured when his Humvee truck ran over a landmine in Iraq. He suffered a coma and intense burns on over 40 percent of his body, lost most of the hair on his head and one of his ears.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5

'Gossip Girl' (8PM ET, The CW) midseason finale
Lily throws Charlie a party to officially introduce her to New York society. Meanwhile, Charlie's ex-boyfriend, Max, throws a wrench into Charlie's future as an Upper East Side princess. Dan decides it may be time to tell Blair the truth about his feelings for her.

'MAD' (8.30PM ET, Cartoon Network)
The satirical cartoon spoofs 'Captain America,' 'Supernatural' and 'My Super Sweet Sixteen.'

'Neverland' (9PM ET, SyFy) miniseries finale
This new prequel to J.M. Barrie's classic, 'Peter Pan,' comes to a close. Starring Rhys Ifans as James Hook, Keira Knightley as the voice of Tinker Bell, Anna Friel as Captain Elizabeth Bonny, Oscar nominee Bob Hoskins as Smee (who previously played the character in Steven Spielberg's feature 'Hook'), and Charlie Rowe as one of literature's most cherished characters, Peter Pan.

The good news keeps on coming for 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 13 winner J.R. Martinez. The newly crowned champion will co-host the pre-show of 'CNN's Heroes: An All-Star Tribute' on Dec. 11.

Martinez will also take part in 'CNN Heroes: Where Are They Now?' special (Thurs., Nov. 24 at 8PM ET), which will feature guests such as George Lopez and Rainn Wilson discussing the CNN Heroes who have inspired them.

Before joining the cast of ABC's 'All My Children,' Martinez joined the military at 19, and in 2003, he was deployed to Iraq. After serving two months as an United States Army infantryman, he was badly injured when his Humvee truck ran over a landmine. He suffered a coma and intense burns on over 40 percent of his body, lost most of the hair on his head and one of his ears.