Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 08 > Entry
Rudolph arrives, ‘Lights’ still looks for wattage
Kids love ‘em, but most parents would rather have hot cider poured in their laps than to watch them.
Yes, we’re talking Christmas specials. Two ancient veterans air tonight on CBS: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (7to 8) and “Frosty the Snowman” (8 to 8:30). “Frosty Returns” follows that one, but it’s a sequel, so it’s not exactly a classic.
CBS has had a lock on these cartoon specials for years. “Rudolph” debuted in 1964; “Frosty” arrived a few years later. Kids have loved the ‘toons and the music ever since. Parents muddle through them. At least they don’t star some country singer who falls in love and battles a fatal disease on Christmas Eve. Seems like we have one of those just about every season.
’Lights’ still slogging in the ratings
This week’s “Friday Night Lights” episode was, as usual, stellar. But once again, CBS’ “NCIS” beat the NBC drama in the 7 to 8 p.m. hour. So did ABC’s syrupy Christmas special “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”
NBC already has picked up “Lights” for the rest of this season, but the show is going to have to pick up considerable steam in ‘07 to be invited back for a sophomore year.
Another beauty joins Betty
To make sure allegedly unattractive Betty Suarez is surrounded by unattainable beauty, the producers of ABC’s freshman hit “Ugly Betty” have cast Rebecca Romijn to play the mystery woman who conspires with Wilhelmina to take over Mode magazine.
This sweet comedy-drama gets better and better. It just started a string of reruns, so if you’ve missed the season so far, now is a good time to catch up.
** NOTE:
Diane Holloway’s TV blog will be taking a two-week hiatus starting next week. Holloway’s entries will return Dec. 26.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Entertainment
Comments
By Shawna
December 8, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this
I disagree with your assessment of how adults view the Christmas specials. I love watching them every year. I think society is losing touch with nostalgia. These shows are one of the things that makes Christmas official!
By austinights
December 8, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this
I am really excited to hear that Rebecca Romijn is joining the cast of "Ugly Betty." I enjoyed watching her in Pepper Dennis, but that show just didn't have enough zip to make it past the starting gates, especially when the WB was coming to a complete halt.
FNL is definitely a good show, but it has a niche audience. Unfortunately, networks need that niche to be in the 10's of millions at the least because the "buy time" for advertisers is too much to risk. TV shows are in virgin territory, because in the olden days there was not as much competition, but nowadays you're competing with cable and new media. I've read recently that a lot of funding is being sourced to original programming for internet web-programs. I don't think TV's are going away anytime soon, but the marketing of television series is definitely going to need a redesign in order to maintain viewership for long periods of time.