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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Don Adams, a three-time Emmy winner for his role as Maxwell Smart (aka Agent 86) on the '60s James Bond-spoofing series Get Smart, died on Sunday of a lung infection. He was 82. Born Donald James Yarmy, Adams dropped out of high school and joined the Marines in 1941. After contracting malaria during the Guadalcanal campaign, he returned to the United States as a drill instructor, where he acquired his distinctive clipped style of speaking — one that would serve him well professionally. In addition to Get Smart, its feature film (The Nude Bomb) and prime-time resurrections, his credits included voicing Tennessee Tuxedo, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's Comet and Inspector Gadget.
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Don Adams, a three-time Emmy winner for his role as Maxwell Smart (aka Agent 86) on the '60s James Bond-spoofing series Get Smart, died on Sunday of a lung infection. He was 82. Born Donald James Yarmy, Adams dropped out of high school and joined the Marines in 1941. After contracting malaria during the Guadalcanal campaign, he returned to the United States as a drill instructor, where he acquired his distinctive clipped style of speaking — one that would serve him well professionally. In addition to Get Smart, its feature film (The Nude Bomb) and prime-time resurrections, his credits included voicing Tennessee Tuxedo, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's Comet and Inspector Gadget.
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