The CBS telefilm "The Christmas Wish," based on Utah author Richard Siddoway's book, is easily the best new holiday TV movie of the year.
Which should come as no big surprise, given that it comes to us from Emmy-winning producer Beth Polson, who also did such a fine job adapting "The Christmas Box" three years ago."The Christmas Wish" is everything you'd hope for in a holiday movie. It's beautifully mounted, nicely paced and well written, acted and directed. It will tug at your heartstrings without covering you in syrupy schmaltz.
Neil Patrick Harris puts his "Doogie Howser" days behind him, turning in an understated and believable performance as the star of this movie. He plays Will Martin, a successful young businessman who takes a leave-of-absence from his high-powered career in New York City to return to his small hometown following the death of his grandfather.
Will was raised by his grandparents after his parents were killed in a car accident. And he's in the process of putting the family real-estate business in order for his grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) when she makes a request of him.
It seems she has discovered a reference in her late husband's diary to a woman named Lillian -- a woman he spent time with on Christmas Eve. And Gram would like to know who this woman is.
Will discovers that his grandfather spent every Christmas Eve with Lillian. And he's determined to find out the story behind it.
But "The Christmas Wish" really isn't about the answer to that question, it's about the journey Will takes while searching for the answer. It's about growing up and realizing what's important in life, and truth and forgiveness.
It's the sort of movie that will bring a tear to your eye. But, with a good script by Greg Taylor (based on Polson's story, which she based on Siddoway's book) and deft direction by Ian Berry, "Wish" tells its tale with sentiment -- not sentimentality. It's about genuine emotions, not the sappy "awwwww" moments that pass for emotions in bad sitcoms.
This is a Christmas movie that's destined to become a holiday favorite.
(And here's more good news -- Polson is already developing another Christmas TV movie for next season.)
DHARMA AND STEVE: Look for 49er and former BYU quarterback Steve Young to make an appearance (as himself) on the Dec. 16 episode of "Dharma & Greg."
Dharma (Jenna Elfman) goes to her first 49ers football game and instantly becomes a huge fan -- "passionately and demonstratively devoted" to the team, leaving Greg (Thomas Gibson) feeling like he's playing second string.
Young appears as the object of Dharma's football fanatacism.
AMERICA LOVES "RUDOLPH": A third of a century after it premiered, "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" continues to be a big hit with the American viewing public.
The digitally remastered special did boffo ratings this past Monday. The show tied "Monday Night Football" in total household and won among total viewers and the advertiser-friendly demographics 18-49 and 25-54.
According to CBS, it was the network's highest rating among adults 18-49 in the time period (excluding the Olympics) since Sept. 16, 1996.