‘House’ swims against current

Tue., Dec. 19, 2006

Kevin Mcdonough United Feature Syndicate

Some programmers have concluded that viewers have a problem with repeat episodes, particularly those for shows like “Lost,” which unfold sequentially like a novel – or, more to the point, like a soap opera. Viewers have long grown used to repeats of stand-alone crime dramas like “CSI” or “Law & Order,” but the makers of “Lost” and “Jericho” would rather force their viewers into a hiatus than risk losing them with repeats.

“House” (8 and 9 p.m., Fox) appears to have bucked this trend, forcing viewers to navigate through repeats and pingpong back and forth through the complicated narrative even as the “House” story is reaching a critical juncture.

This season has not been receptive to original network situation comedies, with shows including “Twenty Good Years” and “Happy Hour” disappearing quickly and others like “‘Til Death,” “Big Day” (9 p.m., ABC) and “Help Me Help You” (9:30 p.m., ABC) withering on the ratings vine.

Cable network TBS has defied this trend by dedicating its entire schedule to comedy. Granted, this means a lot of old movies and repeats of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Sex and the City,” but its new show “My Boys” (10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., TBS) may be a fledgling hit.

Other highlights

Penn Jillette hosts “Identity” (8 p.m., NBC).

Snoopy and Spike provide holiday mirth in the 2003 animated special “I Want a Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown” (8 p.m., ABC).

Lorelai realizes (well into her 30s) that her ongoing teenage rebellion against her parents has warped her priorities on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., CW).

Strange bedfellows in Bulgaria on “The Unit” (9 p.m., CBS).

A stolen file leads to murder on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (9 p.m., NBC).

Marathons can be murder on “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS).

A mysterious French witness (Leslie Caron) comes forward on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).

Denise and Schmidt defend Post (Michael J. Fox) against organ-trafficking charges on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).

“Independent Lens” (10 p.m., KSPS) presents “Revolucion: Five Visions,” five photographers’ approach to their native Cuba.

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