Playoff doubleheader begins with Seahawks

Sat., Jan. 5, 2008

Mike Hughes Gannett News Service

Tonight Must-see

Football, all day, NBC. The pro playoffs begin with NBC’s doubleheader-plus.

The studio preview show is at 1 p.m. The Seattle Seahawks host the Washington Redskins at 1:30 and the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Jacksonville Jaguars at about 5.

Not enough for you? “Saturday Night Live” – which starts a half-hour after the last game ends – plans to rerun the episode with quarterback Peyton Manning hosting.

Manning did a good job, even in a sketch that mocks him. And Carrie Underwood adds sizzle as musical guest.

Might-see

“Grandpa & Me,” 9 p.m., Hallmark. Struggling with shyness at school and with the despair of her widowed father at home, a girl (Jordy Benattar) gets a sense of joy when she’s with her grandfather (Tom Bosley).

In many ways, this is a pat, predictable film. The final minutes, however, pack a strong emotional kick.

Other choices include

“ABC News Coverage of the New Hampshire Debates,” 7 p.m., ABC. Here’s a rare chance to survey the presidential candidates in one bunch. ABC is co-sponsoring two 90-minute debates tonight with the Democratic and Republican candidates in New Hampshire. With some advance and follow-up coverage, it adds up to a political evening that is commendable and rare. Even with gaping holes created by the writers’ strike, most networks have given little time to their news divisions.

“Goodbye Zoey,” 9 p.m., Nickelodeon. The world paid attention to Jamie Lynn Spears after word came that she’s pregnant at 16. For the last couple years, she’s been the pleasant star of “Zoey 101,” a sunny series set in a private school along the California coast. In this new special, Zoey ponders leaving the school and moving to England. Hmm.

Sunday Must-see

“Desperate Housewives,” 9 p.m., ABC. When we last saw the housewives a tornado was twisting their lives around.

Victor was impaled by a wind-blown stake before he could kill Carlos. Adam’s stalker was blown away; so was the paperwork for Carlos’ fortune.

Meanwhile, Katherine figured her husband is a liar. Susan felt her husband needs rehab and Lynette doesn’t know if she has a husband. The tornado crushed Mrs. McCluskey’s house where he and the kids were huddled. Now we learn what happened.

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