Odds Look Good For A Solid Report On Las Vegas Scene
Do not adjust your set. It’s just a little hiccup over at CBS.
The network last week moved “Dellaventura” to Thursdays at 10, trading places with “48 Hours.” But the day after “Dellaventura” aired in the “48 Hours” time slot, CBS did an abrupt about-face.
“Dellaventura” has been sent packing back to Tuesday, and “48 Hours” airs tonight at 10.
The hour will be of particular interest to gamblers as reporters fan out over Las Vegas.
Harold Dow joins high-roller Larry Flynt, the Penthouse publisher, who wins $1 million in a two-day visit. Susan Spencer hangs out with a private investigator who shows how he spots cheaters with high-tech surveillance equipment.
Also featured in the hour is a card player who was tossed out of Vegas, not because he cheated, but because he was so good. Another segment looks at the rise of teen prostitution in the gambling mecca.
And what would a report on Las Vegas be without a profile of Wayne Newton?
Looks like a good bet.
Highlights
“Nothing Sacred,” ABC at 8: In a fated event on Christmas Eve, Father Ray (Kevin Anderson) opens his church to two Salvadoran refugees, “Mary” and “Joseph,” who are being stalked by bounty hunters.
Meanwhile, there’s a debate over who will deliver the Christmas homily. Sister Maureen (Ann Dowd) is under the impression that Father Ray promised it to her. Father Eric (Scott Michael Campbell), whose parents are in town, believes he’s the man for the job.
“Friends,” NBC at 8: What are friends for? Monica (Courteney Cox) hires Joey (Matt LeBlanc) as a waiter at the restaurant so she can fire him and send a message to the staff that she really is the boss. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) allows Chandler (Matthew Perry) to set her up with a co-worker in order to have a “little fling.”
“413 Hope St.,” FOX at 9: A female student says she was raped by a boy who works at the center, but police are unable to come up with any evidence. But Nick’s (Michael Easton) detective work links the crime to Lance (Kareem Woods), whose confession leads to other revelations.
“Diagnosis Murder,” CBS at 9: Yet another Van Dyke guests-stars. This time it’s Dick’s daughter, Stacy, who plays Mark Sloan’s estranged daughter.
She returns home after eight years, having left an abusive husband - who turns up dead. Repeat.
“ER,” NBC at 10: This series always comes up big at Christmas, and tonight is a good example of why its writers seem to love the season.
After a blind, homeless patient says Benton’s (Eriq LaSalle) touch restored her vision, he’s dubbed “Saint Peter” and develops a passionate following. And Greene’s (Anthony Edwards) compassion for a 67-year-old rape victim allows him to see things more clearly.
Cable Calls
“Clint Eastwood: Talking Music,” VH1 at 6: Morgan Freeman narrates this entertaining half-hour on Eastwood’s great love of music. You may be unaware that the film giant began his entertainment career as a jazz pianist and has written tunes for several of his movies.
He’s even seen in performance at Carnegie Hall. Liberace he’s not.
“Holiday at Pops,” A&E at 6 and 10: Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, the Boston Boys Choir and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus are joined by Rosemary Clooney and Anthony Clark (“Soul Man”).
Jazz, Cajun and calypso selections spice up the two-hour-long program, which features Clooney singing “White Christmas” and other favorites. Clark reads Clement Clark Moore’s “A Visit From St. Nicholas.”
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Teri Hatcher, model Tyson Beckford and singer Dwight Yoakam.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Leslie Nielsen, actress Michelle Yeoh and music group Hanson.