‘Sputnik’ details Russian satellite
Tonight’s must-see
“Sputnik Mania,” 10 p.m. to midnight, History Channel. When Russians launched a satellite in 1957, Americans were shocked. What about our technical superiority? Would missiles soon be raining on us?
Its surprising hero turns out to be Dwight Eisenhower. The former military commander helped slow a cascading arms build-up on both sides.
Tonight’s might-see
“Ellen’s Even Bigger Really Big Show,” 9 p.m., TBS. Last year, “Ellen’s Really Big Show,” included lots of known stars. This one takes a bigger risk. At The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas, Ellen DeGeneres chose acts from Spain, Russia and beyond.
Other choices include
“Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1999), 7-11 p.m., Ion. In a change, Ion inserts an OK miniseries based on Jules Verne’s novel. Treat Williams and Tushka Bergen star.
“The Santa Clause” (1994), 7:15 p.m., TBS; “The Santa Clause 2” (2002), 9-11 p.m., Disney Channel. Here’s a do-it-yourself double feature. The first film is great fun, as an ordinary guy (Tim Allen) becomes Santa; the second he faces a time limit to marry.
“Moonlight & Mistletoe,” 9-11 p.m., Hallmark. The season’s first new Christmas movie is borderline adequate. Tom Arnold is OK as a widower trying to keep his Christmas shop alive; Candace Cameron Bure is charming as his daughter.
Sunday’s must-see
“Desperate Housewives,” 9 p.m., ABC. In the previous episode, a fire ripped through a nightclub, leaving six people dead.
Viewers know it was started by Dave, Edie’s evil husband. Others, however, think Dave’s a hero; police arrested Porter (the teen son of Tom and Lynette), who had impregnated the nightclub owner’s wife.
Now comes the aftermath – including good news for one family.
Sunday’s might-see
“Home for the Holidays,” 8 p.m., HGTV. Here’s pure decorative excess: Lisa LaPorta fills her mother’s California front yard with tons of artificial snow.
That’s part of an hour devoted to the HGTV designers at home. Even the ending is fun, as Eric Stromer’s tykes take part in his family rock band.
Other choices include
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” 8 p.m., ABC. When Tim Nickless died, his widow was left with three sons (now 11, 9 and 7) and an 1860s farmhouse. Now the team builds them a new home.