Christmas Provides A Common Theme
The seasonal parade of Christmas specials is in full swing now, and your family can close out the week with a entire evening of holiday fare.
At 8, CBS has a rebroadcast of “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” an entertaining version of the Dickens classic starring Mickey as Bob Cratchit, the ever-faithful employee of Ebenezer Scrooge, played by who else but Scrooge McDuck. Jiminy Cricket is the Ghost of Christmas Past, Goofy is Jacob Marley, and Donald Duck appears as Scrooge’s nephew, Fred.
It’s still fresh, nearly 15 years after its initial release as a theatrical short. CBS rounds out the hour with several other Disney Christmas-themed cartoons.
On “Family Matters” (CBS at 9), Urkel (Jaleel White) gets wrapped up in the holiday season when he takes a job as a department-store gift wrapper. It’s a disaster, of course.
And on “Step By Step” at 9:30, the family scrambles when Lilly (Emily Mae Young) declares that she no longer believes in Santa Claus.
You can switch over to NBC at 10 for “Christmas in Washington,” a music special featuring Hanson, Deana Carter, BeBe Winans, R&B artist Aaliyah, and baritone Thomas Hampson.
President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton are scheduled as honored guests, with the president delivering his Christmas address from Washington’s National Building Museum.
Want other holiday options? Keep reading.
Highlights
“Home Alone” (1990), NBC at 8: NBC gets a lump of coal from me again this holiday season for airing this violent slapstick caper that fills kids with some rotten ideas, the very least of which is that you can deliver near-fatal blows to people who merely shake off the effects. Call me a grinch, but there are better ways to entertain kids.
“The Visitor,” FOX at 8: As he tries to reach a member of his family at Christmas, Adam (John Corbin) encounters a pregnant woman (Lori Heuring) and helps her connect with her estranged scientist grandfather (Efrem Zmbalist Jr., “The FBI”).
“Boy Meets World,” ABC at 8:30: In the series’ 100th episode (I know, I said it would never last), Cory (Ben Savage) has second thoughts about giving Topanga (Danielle Fishel) a pre-engagement ring when he discovers they have completely opposite Christmas traditions.
“Millennium,” FOX at 9: Leave it to this series to serve up a Christmas episode full of chills.
When Jordan (Brittany Tiplady) contacts her deceased grandmother, Frank (Lance Henriksen) recalls some unpleasantness of his youth and is forced to deal with his estranged father (Darren McGavin).
Cable Calls
“The Sunchaser” (1996), MAX at 8: A teenaged killer with cancer (Jon Seda) abducts his doctor (Woody Harrelson) and takes him hostage as he searches for a cure. You may end up searching for a better movie.
“The Race to Erase MS Concert,” VH1 at 5: Sheryl Crow, No Doubt and Natalie Cole perform in the benefit concert taped in Los Angeles Nov. 14. Also featured are models and other celebrities showing off the work of designer Tommy Hilfiger.
Included are Naomi Campbell, Lisa Rinna, Carmen Electra, Jonathan Silverman and Harry Hamlin. Emcees include Dustin Hoffman, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz and Rita Rudner.
“From the 10 Spot,” MTV at 10: Radiohead performs a 90-minute set from The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Selections include songs from the British band’s latest album, “O.K. Computer.”
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Jimmy Lam, an 11-year-old who burps “Jingle Bells”; actress Julie Delpy; and singer Clint Black.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Pierce Brosnan and former Notre Dame coach and CBS Sports analyst Lou Holtz.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Ozzy Osbourne, Debby Boone, actor Wallace Langham and social policy consultant Star Parker.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Cartoonist Mike Luckovich.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Comedian Colin Quinn (“Saturday Night Live”) and musical guest Southern Culture on the Skids.