Tonight's brand-new Harry Connick Jr. Christmas special has an old feel about it.
What with an emphasis on performing and minimal production values, it looks like something Bing Crosby or Perry Como might have done in the '60s.Which is not to say that this is bad. As a matter of fact, the special (8 p.m., Ch. 5) is pretty darn good.
If someone less talented than Connick attempted to hold an audience by getting up and singing on TV accompanied by his big band, the chances of success wouldn't be great. But because this guy is so loaded with talent, he's captivating.
That big band sound that he brings to "Sleigh Ride" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is great. And Connick brings energy and fun to songs like "Toyland" and "All I Want for Christmas."
Fellow New Orleans native Aaron Neville joins in for snatches of several songs, then does a duet on Connick's own "I Pray for Christmas."
(There's also a bit of unintentional humor when, after Neville sings a bit of "Ave Maria," Connick allows as how he loves "those old numbers.")
Carol Burnett (whose long-running variety show debuted in 1967 on the day Connick was born) is also on hand for a little vignette and a duet of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" with Connick.
It's all entertaining and understated. And, if you're looking for something to watch on Christmas Eve, this is a perfect hour.
CHRISTMAS EVE PROGRAMMING: Here's a rundown on the other Christmas shows you can catch this evening:
- "Shari's Christmas Concert" (6 p.m., Ch. 11): Shari Lewis and Lambchop.
- "Merry Mirthworm Christmas" (6 p.m., Ch. 30): Kids' program.
- "Holiday at Pops" (6 p.m. and 10 p.m., A&E): Tony Bennett joins the Boston Pops.
- "Twelve Videos of Christmas" (6 p.m. and 10 p.m., TNN): Country music.
- "Miracle on 34th Street" (6 p.m., WGN): Classic 1947 movie.
- "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" (6:30 p.m., Ch. 5; 7 p.m., Ch. 11): Jimmy Stewart stars in this LDS production.
- "Disney's Christmas Fantasy on Ice" (7 p.m., Ch. 5): Ice skating show.
- "Clarence" (7 p.m., Ch. 14): 1990 made-for-cable sequel to "It's a Wonderful Life."
- "Christmas with Vince Gill" (7 p.m. and 11 p.m., TNN): Music/variety.
- "Flintstone's Christmas" (7 p.m., TNT): Animation.
- "Celebration of Christmas" (7:30 p.m., Ch. 11): BYU choirs and orchestra in concert.
- "One Magic Christmas" (7:35 p.m., Disney): 1985 movie.
- "A Christmas Carol" (8 p.m. and 12:45 a.m., TNT): 1938 version.
- "Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir" (8:30 p.m., Ch. 11; 9 p.m., Ch. 7): Featuring Shirley Verrett.
- "Christmas Sampler" (9 p.m., Ch. 5): Holiday music.
- "Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith" (9 p.m., Ch. 14): 1979 TV movie.
- "Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember" (9 p.m., Family): Music/variety.
- "All I Want for Christmas" (9 p.m., HBO): 1991 movie.
- "Scrooge" (9 p.m., WGN): 1991 non-musical version.
- "Sunshine Christmas" (9:05 p.m., Disney): 1977 TV movie.
- "Andy Williams" (9:30 p.m., Ch. 11): Music/variety.
- "Branson Country Christmas" (10 p.m., Family): Country music/variety.
- "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" (10:30 p.m., TNT): 1964 movie.
- "It's a Wonderful Life" (10:50 p.m., Ch. 11): Classic 1946 movie.
- "The Dame Edna Experience" (11 p.m., Ch. 7): Her Christmas special.
- "Christmas Eve at St. Peter's" (11:05 p.m., Ch. 2): Paul John Paul II conducts Mass at the Vatican.
- "Christmas Eve Service" (11:35 p.m., Ch. 5): Archbishop Michael J. Sheen conducts services.
- "Blackadder's Christmas Carol" (11:45 p.m., Ch. 7): Rowan Atkinson stars in this off-kilter adaptation.
- "The Bells of St. Mary's" (midnight, Ch. 14): 1945 movie.
- "A Storybarn Christmas" (12:35 p.m., Ch. 2): Holiday music and stories.
- "Songs of the Season" (12:35 p.m., Ch. 5): Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
FOX SPORTS: Now that it has acquired the NFL's NFC package beginning next season, Fox is acting quickly to begin building a sports division
David Hill is the new president of Fox Sports. He's no stranger to Rupert Murdoch-owned companies, having been the head of Sky Sports, Murdoch's British sports cable network, since its inception in 1991.
A native of Australia, he headed a network sports division there before going to work for Murdoch's Sky Channel in 1988.
FRIGHT NIGHT: As of Jan. 22., HBO's "Tales from the Crypt" will join Fox's late-night schedule on Saturdays.
The fourth network has acquired 65 episodes of the series, and will air two back-to-back Saturdays from 10 p.m.-11 p.m.
CBS SHUFFLE: "In the Heat of the Night" is moving back to Wednesdays at 8 p.m. as of Jan. 12.
And occupying the Thursday at 7 p.m. time slot beginning Jan. 13 is the reality show "How'd Do They That?" It's only penciled in there for five weeks, however, until the Winter Olympics begin.