Posted on: Thursday, December 23, 2004
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By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
Must see
"The Santa Clause" (1994), 7 p.m., ABC. Simple, spare and clever, this became a surprise hit. Tim Allen plays a semi-skeptic, divorced and spending Christmas Eve with his son (Eric Lloyd). Then ... well, Santa dies at his house and he has to take over. Others might have made this a silly, slapdash tale. Director John Pasquin, however, limits the sight gags and emphasizes the humor of a normal guy on new turf. This is the kind of quiet wit that kids and grown-ups can both enjoy.
"Nobel Peace Prize Concert," 8 p.m., cable channel E. Lots of star power, including hosts Tom Cruise and Oprah Winfrey, gathered to honor Nobel winner Wangari Maathai, whose movement has planted 10 million trees in Kenya, often resisting the government. Performers range from Joss Stone, the 18-year-old British star, to Tony Bennett, 78. Others include Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Krall and Andrea Bocelli, plus trumpeter Chris Botti.
"Night of Joy," 7 p.m., Pax TV. Here is another collection of strong singers. Taped at an annual Disney World concert, it offers top contemporary Christian stars including Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, Salvador and the teen group Jump5. "NCIS," 7 p.m., CBS. Filling in the "Survivor" time slot, CBS inserts a terrific rerun. David Keith is excellent as a Navy officer, receiving sophisticated computer messages about his kidnapped wife and daughter. The team tries to outsmart a crafty criminal. "The O.C.," 7 p.m., Fox. A week after a clever new episode set during "Chrismukkah," Fox reruns this episode from a year ago. That's when Seth, who has a Jewish father and WASP mother, created this cross-cultural celebration. "Joey," 7 p.m., NBC. In a funny rerun, Michael moves in with his uncle Joey. Gina (Joey's sister and Michael's mom) soon spends most of her time there.
"ER," 9 p.m., NBC. This rerun catches glimpses of Carter's life in Africa.
Of Note
