‘New School’ a headache for parents

January has not run its course, but those compiling a list of the most annoying new programs of 2006 should keep “The Emperor’s New School” (7:30 p.m., Disney) in mind.

A spinoff of the 2000 theatrically released cartoon “The Emperor’s New Groove,” this cartoon features the voice of J.P. Manoux as Kuzco, the provisional teen leader of a fictitious cartoon kingdom.

But before he can take his place on the throne, he must graduate from high school. This is not as easy as it sounds, because Kuzco is shallow, self-centered and given to rattling on endlessly about everything that’s on his empty mind.

Manoux appears to be doing a very manic, very obvious David Spade impersonation. For the record, Spade provided Kuzco’s voice in “Groove.” Like Kuzco, most of the other characters are loud, frazzled, over the top and never speak when they can shriek.

This is the kind of kids’ cartoon that gives kids’ cartoons a bad name. It’s the kind that gives parents a headache as it drives them from the room. That make moms and dads rue the day they had kids who would inflict cartoons like “The Emperor’s New School” upon them.

Patrick Warburton provides the voice of Kronk, the rival to the teen emperor. Other contributors include Eartha Kitt and Wendie Malick.

Way back when MTV was new and exciting to some, a brash young singer with colored hair and a heavy Queens, N.Y., accent burst upon the pop scene with a “She’s So Unusual” reputation. Her name was Cyndi Lauper, and she had all the earmarks of a novelty act – a flash in the pan, and the singer most likely to wind up on a “where are they now” roundup.

But unlike Toto, Wham! and Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Lauper has endured. More than 20 years after “Time after Time” became a No. 1 single, Lauper appears on “Classic in Concert” (8 p.m., VH1 Classic), performing her songs with young artists.

News anchor Bob Schieffer will conduct an exclusive interview with President George W. Bush. Segments of this conversation will appear on “CBS Evening News with Bob Schieffer (5:30 p.m., CBS) as well as the Sunday-morning program “Face the Nation” (8:30 a.m. Sunday, CBS). The president will deliver his State of the Union address next week.

Three people who missed a doomed airliner discuss their brush with fate on the documentary special “I Missed Flight 93” (10 p.m., A&E). A feature-length movie about Flight 93 and its passengers will appear Monday night on A&E.

Other highlights

Anne Archer guest stars on “Ghost Whisperer”(8 p.m., CBS).

The star of “Ray” performs songs from his new hit album on “Jamie Foxx: Unpredictable” (8 p.m., NBC).

A sex offender moves down the block on “Close to Home” (9 p.m., CBS).

Scheduled on “Dateline” (9 p.m., NBC): an interview with a woman who escaped death at the hands of a serial killer.

A grating Great Dane and a bummed-out boxer go on the canine couch of the “Dog Whisperer” (8 p.m., National Geographic).

A deep-sea fishing vessel takes on water on “The Best & Worst of Tred Barta” (6 and 10 p.m., OLN).

Organ trafficking on “Numb3rs” (10 p.m., CBS).

NBC has dropped “The Book of Daniel” from its schedule. Tonight, a repeat of “Law & Order” (10 p.m., NBC) will air in its place.

The president makes an unpopular move on “Battlestar Galactica” (10 p.m., Sci Fi).

Cult choice

The stars of the first season of “American Idol” appear in the 2003 quickie beach movie “From Justin to Kelly” (8 p.m., Family).

Series notes

On two episodes of “Bernie Mac” (Fox), fantasy football (8 p.m.), and Jordan struggles to stay in his wrestling weight class (8:30 p.m.,) … The results are read on “Dancing with the Stars” (8 p.m., ABC) … Vic returns on “What I Like About You” (8 p.m., WB) … Press coverage on “Living with Fran” (8:30 p.m., WB) … Parallel wives on “Trading Spouses” (9 p.m., Fox) … A case reviewed after six years in prison on “In Justice” (9 p.m., ABC) … Tax woes on “Reba” (9 p.m., WB) … Sisters share a flat on “Twins” 9:30 p.m., WB).