DTHOmnibusThursday, December 8, 19885
Tis the season to put off studying and turn on the TV
By WIKSTC'J LLOYD
Staff Writer
Sometime during exam week, it
will happea YouH be finished with
that Philosophy final and not have
another one scheduled for three
days. YouH want to go out, but
all of your friends will have a Poli
Sci final tomorrow. Then it'll
happea The small (probably 13
inches), genuine imitation wood
grain panelled box will begin to
glow. There will be people in it.
Some new faces, but mostly old
friends, welcome you back to
escapism. Cliff Huxtable will let you
join his family, and new grandchild,
after a long absence; Peter Jen
nings will be happy to tell you
whafs up in the world; and Jimmy
Stewart will tell you countless
times and on countless channels
that "Its a Wonderful Life." Of
course, how can you get too much
of this movie during the Christ-.
masExam Season - when in your
deepest Econ 101 dispair, this
classic will make you feel all warm
inside, and maybe even that all
you're going through is really
worth it?
The annual Christmas specials
have already begun Rudolph
was on Monday. Remember that
Grinch Party you wanted to have
this year? Forget that, too. You've
missed it by about two weeks. But
you havent missed them all If you
want to see the unlikely idea of
slavery in a Christmas special,
there's "Roots: The Gift" (ABC).
Levar Burton comes down from
the U.S.S. Enterprise to reclaim his
role of Kunte Kinte, and is joined
by Fiddler (Louis Cosset JrJ. You
know, these character names
seem familiar to me. They're on
next week.
Then there is the amazingly
creatively titled "HI Be Home for
Christmas" (NBC). Eva-Marie Saint
(recently of "Moonlighting"), Hal
Holbrook ("Designing women") and
Courtney Cox ("Family Ties."
"Cocoon-. The Return") go back to
that other joyous (and easily
melodramatic) Christmas season
ofWprldWarlL
But watch out. All of these
arent to be looked forward to,
unless you miss Jan, and Peter, and
Marcia, and Bobby, and Miss Wes
sonality. Yes, here's the story:
Those happy people at CBS bring
you "A very Brady Christmas."
When NBC was in last place, they
gave us "The Brady Brides." Well,
CBS is at the bottom this year, so
l guess if s their turn. Maybe Jason,
Freddie and this Chucky character
will show up and take the Bradys
from us forever. Wouldn't that be
fun? Then with a light heart we
could honestly say, "Cod bless us,
every one." (By the way, l guess,
a Bah humbug is in order.) Bah
humbug.
Speaking of "bah" and "hum
bug," one of my Christmas wishes
is that "thirtysomething" (ABC) will
be cancelled. The version from CBS
is better. Thafs called "Almost
Grown." Okay, 111 admit it I've only
seen "thirtysomething" a couple
of times, it just annoys me. It's a
personal taste thing, unlike any
"Brady" remake which is just
doomed to be bad televisioa
Check out "Almost Grown" any
way. A story of Norman and Suzie
who dated in high school, married
and then divorced. They are now
friends and dealing with their
continued love for one another;
dealing with it from the story in
the "80s to the flashbacks of high
school and college.
CBS also has the well-written
comedy "Murphy Brown." Candice
Bergen is a reporter in a "2020"
format. Thafs on Mondays.
For good, although possibly
depressing, television fare (but
always funny), there's Steven,
Elyse, Alex, Mallory, Jennifer and
Andy. Daddy Keaton may be
happy to see you back in front of
the TV, but hell be even happier
to recover from last Sunday's
heart attack, in the final season
of "Family Ties" (NBO, the writers
are going for the sentimental
episodes, but dont despair, they're
still funny. After a bypass opera1
tion, next Sunday will be the
second of the three-parter, and
my hero, Alex P. Keaton. will be
allowed to examine his own mor
tality. Some of the political
comedy of the early seasons has
returned for the final, with Alex's
realization about his brother:
"Born under Reagan, raised under
Bush. With any luck youU have an
all Republican childhood."
It will take more than seven
episodes for Steven to recuperate.
Following the evolution of the
sitcom into more of a serialized
form.
If you watch "LA Law," you
wont want to miss it tonight. Last
week, Abby (Michele Greene) gave
the National Rifle Association an
early Christmas present and used
a handgun in self defense. (Hand
gun? I reckon thafs opposed to
a leg gun or a face gun.) Also, let 5
see if Markowitz can push the
censors on the subject of his low
sperm count, as he did last week.
Remember Olympic class sperm?
Dont forget "Cheers" tonight,
either. Norm's going to be an
interior decorator. So much for his
self respect at the bar.
Enjoy Christmas, watch TV. if I'm
working in television in the future,
I will thank you. If not, who cares.
Dont watch Friday night, though,
its December 9th . . a special day.
Party. HARD.
'
fl
a
v VYi c
WGHPiedtmmtR
PRESENTS
"An Outspoken Evening with
MORTON
DOWNEY, JR.!"
Sanrnta 's lost Ms veimdeevl
His name didn't rhyme for the song . . .
Santa's tenth reindeer, Buck, is missing!
Return him at any North American Video
location and receive a reward when you
purchase Compact Discs.
CD's at
Ninth Street, Durham
Westgate Shopping Center, Durham
Willow Creek Shopping Center, Carrboro
si
8
n
Enjoy a North American Video Christmas!
I h v n x m r rvrj Minnnri
- ...I.l- "' ' I......III.M.-IU.II.I .1. II I-.. II. III II I I .1 1 1 II ll.llll .1.1 ILII.IU 111 II II II. 1. 1111. 1
till Xli tS. .TTtrwtrt.'V .
wiHsriiHB mom ummwksw m&ss
it vsa
9