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Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Big ‘Lights’ tonight!!
Question: When is a mini-marathon a mega-marathon?
Answer: When it’s one night with three back-to-back episodes of “Friday Night Lights.”
Even though I’ve already seen every single episode of the Austin-made drama, I’m planning to wallow in “Lights” tonight, from 7 to 10 p.m. on NBC. One cannot get enough of “Lights,” can one?
NBC gave a full-season order to the low-rated but critically raved show several weeks ago, which means it’s safe through the current 2006-07 season that wraps in May.
The vote of confidence for a show that hasn’t yet won its time period (of course it did have to go up against “Dancing with the Stars” for the first part of the season) is an encouraging sign. But now “Lights” needs viewers and lots of them if it is to earn a spot on next fall’s schedule.
Tonight’s reruns start at 7 p.m. with the one in which “Smash” makes a dumb decision about how to improve his performance, continues at 8 p.m. with the one in which Coach’s daughter Julie ponders a date with super-shy quarterback Matt and concludes at 9 p.m. with the one in which mean-spirited rumors spread through Dillon’s high school about the romance between Lyla and Tim.
The mini-marathon is an excellent chance for new viewers to catch up and loyal viewers to renew their commitment as the show heads to its new 7 p.m. Wednesday time slot with new episodes on Jan. 10.
Remember, clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!
‘Kennedy Center Honors’ minus Jessica’s blooper
Tonight’s “Kennedy Center Honors” was going to be must-see TV so we could witness Jessica Simpson’s meltdown. Haven’t heard about this particular collapse?
In an attempt to pay tribute to honoree Dolly Parton with a rendition of “9 to 5,” Simpson forgot the words, burst into tears and fled the stage. That was during the show’s original taping on Dec. 3.
Later, CBS persuaded Simpson to return (minus the audience) for a do-over, but Simpson flubbed the song again. As of right now, however, CBS has edited out the meltdown at Simpson’s request.
So we’re left with Reba McEntire, Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Rogers, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain and Vince Gill to pay tribute to Dolly.
Also being honored in the 29th Kennedy Center program (8 to 10 p.m. tonight) are Smokey Robinson, Steven Spielberg, Zubin Mehta and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Caroline Kennedy hosts the special, which was attended by President and Mrs. Bush, Vice President and Mrs. Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
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