Imbalance Mars ‘Holiday Stories’
“Life’s Greatest Holiday Stories” (CBS at 10) suffers from the impossible task of doing justice to eight stories in one hour.
On its face, the unavailable-for-review hour would appear to be worthwhile. It’s produced in cooperation with Life magazine and utilizes some gripping Life photos to tell the stories.
But let’s examine the list of profiles: Jimmy Stewart, Bob Hope, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders, benevolent Lawrence, Mass., mill owner Aaron Feuerstein, the Rev. Cecil Williams, the town of Billings, Mont., Romanian orphans, and The Boys Choir of Harlem.
That’s seven men and a boys choir. Women get short shrift. They get attention in the Billings piece, a tribute to the town’s stand against hate crimes led by Margaret MacDonald and Tammie Schnitzer.
The segment on Romanian orphans focuses on a Wisconsin couple who adopted two baby girls.
It’s all heartwarming and inspirational. But the executive producers, both men, could use a little consciousness raising.
Take what you like from the hour, hosted by Roma Downey (“Touched By an Angel”).
Highlights
“Peter Ustinov’s Mendelssohn,” KSPS at 8: Ustinov offers a guided tour of the extraordinary life of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who before he died at 38 was an acclaimed pianist, conductor and composer of some 250 works. Shot on location in Leipzig, Berlin and Weimar, Germany.
“Peter Jennings Reporting: Jerusalem Stories,” ABC at 10: Jennings tells stories both ancient and contemporary that reflect on the history of a city that is sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews. Included is the story of Abraham, as told by both a New York City rabbi and a Muslim.
Repeat.
“Jenny,” NBC at 8:30: When Cooper and Max (Dale Godboldo, Rafer Weigel) videotape a Beverly Hills wedding, they bring Jenny and Maggie (Jenny McCarthy, Heather Paige Kent) along as assistants. But things get crazy when the groom decides he’d rather take a shot at Jenny.
Maggie, meanwhile, deals with the advances of an amorous 14-year-old. Dick Clark guest-stars.
“Football,” ABC at 6: New England (9-6) and Miami (9-6) play for the AFC East title in the season’s final regular-season game.
“Fired Up,” NBC at 9:30: There’s a spark when Gwen (Sharon Lawrence) meets a handsome firefighter (Scott Patterson). But her attempts to get him fully involved never seem to catch on.
Meanwhile, Danny (Mark Feuerstein) goes looking for gossip for his newspaper column and gets more than he bargained for.
Cable Calls
“Holiday Festival on Ice,” TBS at 5:05: Kristi Yamaguchi hosts this colorful special, which features Peggy Fleming, Rosalynn Sumners, pairs skaters Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler and Jenni Meno and Todd Sand, and two-time U.S. national dance champions Renee Roca and Gorsha Sur. Taped in November in Salt Lake City.
“The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone” (1961), AMC at 9 and midnight: Warren Beatty is just a gigolo in this soap opera about a fading actress (Vivian Leigh) whose husband dies on their way to a Rome vacation. She goes ahead anyway and arranges for a fling with a younger man.
Beatty was just 23 when this film was made, and his freshness is quite captivating.
The story, based on Tennessee Williams’ book, was ripped to shreds by critics. But it has aged well, remaining a timeless snapshot of two of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor Bill Paxton, golfer Tiger Woods, and a performance from “The Nutcracker.”
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Former “Good Morning America” co-host Joan Lunden and musicians G. Love and Dr. John.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Joan Rivers, Lea Thompson, Dick Wolf and editor Terry Jeffrey. Repeat.
“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Whoopi Goldberg and NFL great Art Donovan.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Singer Ozzy Osbourne, comedian Rich Hall and musical guest Ricky Scaggs.