Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 13, 1993 TAG: 9312140272
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LYNN ELBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
Viewers once again have the chance to savor (or skip) hoary repeats like 1965's ``A Charlie Brown Christmas,'' 1991's ``Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus'' and a stocking-full of series repeats.
But since we've all been especially nice this year, the networks also are gifting us with a few new goodies.
In fact, entire evenings are infused with the holiday spirit, thanks to the holiday-themed episodes planned for regular series. Tuesday night, ABC's sitcoms ``Phenom,'' ``Roseanne'' and ``Coach'' and its police drama ``NYPD Blue'' all are pegged to Christmas themes.
Fans of ``NYPD Blue's'' sardonic Detective Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) get to see him play Santa, while on ``Roseanne'' the Conner family strives to set a tackiness record for holiday decor in ``White Trash Christmas.''
Over at NBC, ``L.A. Law's'' holiday episode (10 p.m. Thursday) includes a visit from former secretary Roxanne (Susan Ruttan) and her baby daughter.
Fox Broadcasting Co. pulls out one of its treasures at 8 p.m. Dec. 23, rerunning a 1989 episode of ``The Simpsons'' in which Homer loses his gift money at the racetrack.
CBS repeats a provocative ``Picket Fences'' episode at 10 p.m. Dec. 24: Sheriff Brock (Tom Skerritt) cancels the family's Christmas after discovering his teen-age daughter in bed with her boyfriend.
When it comes to specials, CBS has rounded up some durable old shows and glittery new ones.
There's a reprise of ``Christmas on Division Street,'' about a teen-ager who befriends a homeless man, airing at 9 p.m. Dec. 21. Hume Cronyn and Fred Savage star.
``A Charlie Brown Christmas,'' the Peabody- and Emmy Award-winning special with the Peanuts cartoon gang, airs at 8 p.m. the following night. On Dec. 23, repeats of ``Garfield Christmas Special'' (8 p.m.) and ``'Twas the Night Before Christmas'' (8:30 p.m.) air.
On Christmas Eve, CBS broadcasts ``Disney's Christmas Fantasy on Ice'' (8 p.m.). It pairs champion skiers Brian Boitano, Katarina Witt and others with Disney characters; the host is Bronson Pinchot.
Following it, at 9 p.m., is another new show, ``The Harry Connick Jr. Christmas Special.'' The singer-songwriter is joined by guest stars, including Carol Burnett and Aaron Neville.
Bob Hope's back and NBC has him, of course. ``Bob Hope's Bagful of Christmas Memories'' airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday with a rare performance from former country duo Naomi and Wynonna Judd.
Capitol entertainment follows at 10 p.m. with ``Christmas in Washington,'' hosted by Kirstie Alley. Performers set for the benefit gala include Patti LaBelle, Mary-Chapin Carpenter and Wynton Marsalis; the first couple may be among the guests.
A different take on the holiday is promised by Fox's animated ``A Cool Like That Christmas,'' airing 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23, and described as ``a light-hearted look at Christmas in the inner city.''
Quincy Jones is the executive producer, Whoopi Goldberg lends her voice and Boyz II Men does the caroling.
On Christmas morning, cartoon characters get in the first licks at ABC as Bugs Bunny teaches Yosemite Sam the true meaning of the day in ``The Bugs Bunny & Tweety Show,'' airing at 9 a.m.
``The Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade'' follows at 10 a.m. Broadcast live from Walt Disney World in Florida and hosted by Joan Lunden and Regis Philbin, the show features an outdoor parade of Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters.
At 8 p.m., ABC rebroadcasts ``Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,'' the 1991 TV movie based on the famed 1897 New York Sun exchange between a child and the newspaper's editor. Richard Thomas, Edward Asner and Charles Bronson star.
Cable television is celebrating the holidays with song (programming subject to change):
Famed soprano Kiri Te Kanawa can be heard Dec. 23 and 29 in the Bravo channel's ``Kiri at Christmas.'' ``Christmas Time in Vienna,'' set for Dec. 30 on Arts & Entertainment, teams Placido Domingo with Dionne Warwick.
For country fans, there's the Nashville Network with ``The Statler Bros. Christmas'' on Dec. 18 and 25, a Vince Gill special on Dec. 22 and 24 and the comedy-music trio Riders in the Sky with guest Reba McEntire on Dec. 15 and 23.
Glen Campbell and Louise Mandrell headline ``A Branson Country Christmas'' on the Family Channel Dec. 19 and 24.
And to all a good night . . .
by CNB