How powerful is TV's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 46 years after its first airing? A week ago Tuesday, CBS' annual telecast clobbered the equally classic animated treasure How the Grinch Stole Christmas on ABC when they went head to head. Since then, The Daily Show's Jon Stewart put his voice over the Burl Ives snowman/narrator as part of a hilarious holiday-animation takedown of Fox News Channel's yearly "War on Christmas" hysteria. ("The season wouldn't feel the same without people going out of their way to be offended by nothing.") Glee kicked off its frenetically sentimental Christmas episode this week with a rendition of "The Island of Misfit Toys" (how appropriate). And now the entire cast of NBC's Community looks like they stepped off of Hermie's assembly line in Santa's workshop.
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As you may have heard, this week's episode of Community, "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas," is done completely in stop-motion animation, the style immortalized in those enduring Rankin/Bass Christmas-TV chestnuts...
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Sons of Anarchy
10/9c FX
Regular viewers have seen Jax tell Stahl: "My club finds out and I'm dead," in the introductions to a number of this season's episodes. Expect a resolution in tonight's 90-minute finale, and while Jax is unlikely to end up dead (the series has been renewed), the viperous ATF rogue (Ally Walker) does hold the whip hand. But as the episode begins, Jax, the pregnant Tara and Abel are a family, and Clay and Gemma and Opie and Lyla are experiencing something approaching domestic bliss as well while the soundtrack plays Joan Armatrading's "This Charming Life." The tune changes quickly. Hell's Angels veteran Sonny Barger has a cameo as a prisoner. — Paul Droesch
Read on for previews of Christmas at Rockefeller Center, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Shrek the Halls, Raising Hope, Strange Days with Bob Saget and Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
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Steven Seagal Lawman had the best ratings ever for an A&E series launch.
Premiering at 10/9c with back-to-back episodes, Lawman was seen by...
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This Wednesday, as Bones, Christine, Gary, K.I.T.T., the Criminal Minds and the CSIs of NY took a rest....
8 pm/ET
CBS' Rudolph shiny-nosed his way to the top of the pack, delivering 11.7 million total viewers and dominating the demos. NBC's coverage of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting came in second with 10.35 million.
Placing third was Fox's Secret Millionaire, which premiered to an audience of 7.37 mil. Pushing Daisies followed with 4.9 mil, a 10 percent bump from its previous outing.
9 pm
In a four-horse race, Life took advantage of Criminal Minds's absence by surging 52 percent, to a season-high 8.1 million viewers. Trailing Secret Millionaire's second hour, Private Practice (7.84 mil) saw a 26 percent gain. CBS' Grammy noms special placed fourth with 7.15 mil.
10 pm
Monopolizing this Wednesday's crime-drama audience, Law & Order soared 80 percent week-to-week, claiming a season's best 11.27 million viewers. It was followed by CBS' Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (8.73 mil, up 17 percent year-over-year) and Dirty Sexy Money (up a hair, to 5.7 mil).
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It took a while to adjust to holiday specials airing in November. I remember having only one chance to catch these programs as a kid, and that made them a little more special.As the flood of seasonal mirth begins, it's tricky to sift through all the different programs now available 24/7.When choosing what to watch, avoid any sequels or live-action remakes. They simply don't work.Also look for the four fundamental elements of any killer holiday special:1) Unique characters2) Memorable music 3) A lesson learned and4) A Santa appearance.Here are my top-five television holiday specials of all time.This list does not include any feature films. Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life do not qualify for this list.Honorable mention: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970).Major points for Fred Astaire, the Winter Warlock, Burgermeister MeisterBurger and "Put One Foot in Front of the Other," which almost made the list. Almost.5) Frosty the Snowman (1969)Happy birthday! Yes, it's fu...
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