Posted on: Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Tube Notes

Mike Hughes,
Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See

"A Christmas Story" (1983), 4 p.m., TNT; reruns at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., etc., for 24 hours. This is a much deeper and richer movie than it first seems to be. That's why people keep returning to it — 20 years later. On the surface this is a nostalgic tale about a boy's holiday. Peter Billingsley is terrific as the lad who wants a BB gun for Christmas. These memories, however, are dark and bitingly funny.

"Anastasia" (1997), 7 p.m., Fox. This is an amiable trifle to keep kids from stressing over Santa. It has pretty animation, nice songs and first-rate voice actors, including Meg Ryan, John Cusack and Kelsey Grammer.

Of Note

"Jesus of Nazareth" (History Channel) and "Biography: Santa Claus" (A&E), both 6 p.m. Maybe this choice symbolizes the way the holiday is torn between Jesus and Santa. The biography on Jesus on the History Channel is twice as long, however, at two hours.

"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), 7 p.m., NBC. For the second time in 11 days, NBC airs this black-and-white classic directed by Frank Capra. James Stewart stars as the decent, small-town banker who is unsure his life has had meaning.

"It's All Relative," 7:30 p.m., ABC. It's a mismatched crowd when Philip and Simon invite Bobby and his dad to a baseball game.

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (8 p.m.) and "The Year Without a Santa Claus" (9 p.m.), ABC Family. Maybe these two cartoons should make up their minds. Is he coming to town or not?

"The George Lopez Show," 8 p.m., ABC. The show borrows its old time slot for reruns. While eavesdropping, Max hears too much about Santa Claus.

"Married to the Kellys," 8:30 p.m., ABC. Tom thinks he'll watch his favorite movie on Christmas Eve at his wife's family's house.

"America's Funniest Home Videos," 9 p.m., ABC. It's time (again) for lots of Christmas clips.