Posted on: Saturday, December 18, 2004
Tube Notes
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Tonight's Must-See
"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Robert De Niro used to sneak hesitantly into the world of live comedy. He'd make short, surprise appearances on "SNL" in a comic version of De Niro-esque menace. This time, however, he moves up to hosting. Destiny's Child is the musical guest. "Angel in the Family," 7, 9, 11 p.m., Hallmark Channel. The final new movie of the Christmas season has a surplus of both homilies and gifted actors. The two balance each other out. An old man (Ronny Cox) obsesses on his late wife (Meredith Baxter). His oft-quarreling daughters (Tracey Needham and Natasha Gregson Wagner) take him back to the family's small-town roots. Then, well, something supernatural happens. From then on "Angel" is often talky and preachy. Fortunately, talented people are doing the preaching. Of Note
"Remember the Titans" (2000), 7 p.m., ABC. Early in the 1970s, this true story says, a Virginia district reluctantly merged two high schools, one black and one white. The successful white football coach (Will Patton) stepped aside; a black coach (Denzel Washington) took over and molded a championship team. "Christmas Vacation" (1989), 7 p.m., NBC. For the second time in six days, NBC plays this funny-enough Chevy Chase film. It's a fairly solid satire of holiday excess, but hardly up there in "Wizard of Oz" turf. "The Story of Santa Claus," 7 p.m., CBS. Here's a rerun of the animated special, showing why the Clauses first moved to the North Pole. "Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys," 7, 11 p.m., Sci Fi Channel. Corey Feldman stars in a tale of someone trying to prevent evil toymakers from unleashing unthinkable horrors on Christmas Eve. "Snow," 8 p.m., ABC Family. Here's another chance to watch this genial delight. Tom Cavanagh plays Santa's son, ready to take over his late father's job. First he must retrieve his errant reindeer, currently held by a lovable zookeeper (Ashley Williams). The result mixes goofy fun and warmth. "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 9 p.m., NBC. When a neurologist is killed, attention turns to the family of the comatose woman she was trying to heal.
