Ted Danson lends warmth to ‘Knights’

Ted Danson returns to the Bronx. No, I’m not announcing a “Becker” reunion special, but “Knights of the South Bronx” (8 p.m., A&E), an intelligent TV drama based on the real life of one man who changed the lives of dozens of students.

Recently fired from his high-paying corporate job, Richard Mason (Danson) decides to take a part-time job as a substitute teacher at an inner-city school. His wife is a tad horrified by the loss of income, piling bills and the fear that his “charity” job may be evidence of a midlife crisis.

As in similar dramas from the time of “Blackboard Jungle” and “To Sir With Love,” Mason is initially shocked and a little scared by a class filled with kids from broken homes whose parents are often in prison, absent, in gangs or on drugs. He finds it hard to get their attention or command their respect. Jimmy (Malcolm David Kelley), the class clown, is particularly harsh, needling Mason for his old-school glasses.

But one day, while running from the police, Jimmy encounters Mason in the park playing a game of speed chess with 14 opponents at the same time. After watching him defeat them all, Jimmy realizes that his myopic substitute teacher is actually the Jackie Chan of the chessboard.

Jimmy insists that Mason bring “his game” to school. And when he does, his students are hooked.

“Knights” never fully explains how Mason’s class catches onto the ancient game so quickly or so proficiently, but they are soon mini grand masters, competing with kids from more affluent districts. Despite early misgivings from administrators, Mason learns that chess also provides his kids with the focus and intellectual discipline to concentrate on their other subjects.

Danson is really quite good here. Eschewing his “Becker” crankiness, he projects the warm intellectual empathy of a good teacher, coaching a budding young mind through a math problem or teaching the differences between a knight and a bishop.

Not without its faults (Mason’s troubled relationship with his wife and son are never explored adequately), “Knights” is nevertheless a feel-good drama that never feels contrived. And the fact that it is based on the real-life story of former Bronx teacher David McNulty is the most uplifting aspect of all.

The Fab Five help a reluctant bachelor get off the dime and pop the question to his girlfriend of 10 years on a heartwarming installment of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” (10 p.m., Bravo), the first episode in a wedding-themed season.

“Party/Party” (9 p.m., Bravo) follows families as they splurge on celebrations and squabble over the details. The eight-part series will feature 16 diverse families, from recent immigrants celebrating the first high school graduation in family history (to the tune of $3,000) to a “princess party” budgeted for $10,000. Clearly inspired by MTV’s cringe-worthy “Sweet 16” franchise, this is a sure sign that the genre is getting glutted and (hopefully) burning itself out.

Other highlights

Our melancholy hero receives valuable spiritual insights from a friend with a blanket fetish in the beloved 1965 holiday favorite “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC).

Joe Rogan hosts the 12,000th season of “Fear Factor” (8 p.m., NBC).

Carrie Underwood (“American Idol”) performs at “The 2005 Billboard Music Awards” (8 p.m., Fox).

Rory’s penance; Lorelai’s pooch on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB).

Ghosts of Christmas past on “My Name is Earl” (9 p.m., NBC).

A female vice president defies the powers-that-be and assumes office on the pilot episode of “Commander in Chief” (9 p.m., ABC).

“Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She” (9:30 p.m., HBO) takes a global look at gender roles and definitions.

Underdressed and overpaid on “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (10 p.m., CBS).

Schoolyard hazing can be murder on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).

A paintball incident on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).

A British comic actress encounters eccentrics in the new series “Daisy Does America” (10 p.m., TBS).

Cult choice

Two dogs and a cat take the long way home in the 1993 fantasy “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” (8 p.m., Disney).

Series notes

Secrets from death row on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS) … Tyra Banks hosts two episodes of “America’s Next Top Model” (10 p.m., UPN) … Mad dashes on “The Amazing Race Family Edition” (9 p.m., CBS) … Campers vanish on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., WB) … Secret Santas on “The Office” (9:30 p.m., NBC).