TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Notebook" (2004), 8 p.m., CBS. A kindly man (James Garner) visits an elegant nursing home, reading a story to a patient (Gena Rowlands). It's a zesty romance, which we see portrayed by Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. This film has drawn shrugs from some critics, but we found it deeply moving. Nick Cassavetes deftly directed a superb cast that included his mother, Rowlands.

"Snowglobe," 8 and 10 p.m., ABC Family. A young woman (pop singer Christina Milian) dreams of a picture-book Christmas, the kind pictured in her globe. Suddenly, she's in the globe, then crossing between worlds. This may sound silly, but it's done with a deft touch. Like "Pleasantville" or "Purple Rose of Cairo," it eyes the line between idealized fiction and reality. It has fun along the way, with fine support from Matt Keeslar and Lorraine Bracco.

OF NOTE

"Love Comes Softly" (2003), 9 a.m., to "Love's Unfolding Dream" (2007), 7 p.m., Hallmark Channel. The Hallmark "Dream" movie series makes its debut tonight, as the sixth movie in the series made from Janette Oke's frontier novels. The first two star Katherine Heigl as Marty, a young widow making a marriage of convenience. The next three focus on Erin Cottrell as her daughter, Missie. At 7 p.m., we see Scout Taylor-Compton as Belinda, Missie's daughter, dreaming of a career while most women are at home.

"Chasing Christmas" (2005), 2 p.m., ABC Family. Tom Arnold stars in a clever "Christmas Carol" variation. It's followed by two lightweight romantic comedies. "Christmas in Boston" (2005) at 4 p.m., is pleasant; "Holiday in Handcuffs" at 6 p.m. (2007) is a bit silly.

"Dreamgirls" (2006), 6 p.m., HBO. The Broadway hit, stuffed with great music, also was perfectly cast. That includes Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and an Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson.

"Saturday Night Live," 8:30 p.m., NBC. Here's a "Best of Chris Farley" tribute. Some of the bits (the Chippendale Dancer tryouts and the movie interview show) are fairly one-note; others (particularly Matt Foley, the motivational speaker) indicate Farley's brilliance.

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