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Show Tbe Drily Utah amide, Friday, December 7, ItU Page Five Networks set mood with plethora of specials by MarkSaal Chronicle staff i "Christmas will return after these commercial messsesV Ever since the invention of the (Remember? "It dices, it slices, it's the perfect gift for Christmas'), man has been complaining about the Vcg-a-ma- tic commercialization of Christmas. And no place is this more evident than on network television. But is it really so bad? What would Christmas be without our constant companion, the television set? Those traditional holiday specials arc a vital link in getting people "in the spirit" for Christmas, and this year will be no different as a literal plethora of specials have been lined up to delight young and old alike. Of course, many of the biggies have already aired this month, but there are still plenty of holiday shows left to delight even the most fanatical holiday television viewers. Reindeer, Hoxv the Grinch Stole Rudolph, the Red-nosChristmas, Miracle on 34th Street and A Charlie Brown Christmas have already aired, and at first glance it would appear there's nothing more to live for. Not so. ed Friday night, for example, there's a little of everything for the video connoisseur. What's your taste in music? Classical? Then tunc into Channel 7 at 8:35 pan. for some music that will suit your tastes. Contemporary? Then Solid Gold Christmas on Channel 4 at 8 p.m. is the place for you, where youll be able to listen to the latest sounds while watching the Solid Gold Dancers gyrate all over the screen, dressed in nothing but tinsel and Santa Qaus hats. And for the Xmas rednecks, it's Johnny Cash: Christmas on the Road at 7 p.m. on Channel 5. Those who prefer a little culture can watch Mikhail Baryshnikov twirl his way around The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. on our very own Channel 7. But hold on, for the kids on Friday there's Fat Albert Christmas at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 20. And get this, Channel 4 is offering at 7 p.m. The Cabbage Patch Kids' First Christmas. Really! Those networks will create a holiday special out of anything that will make money. It's a pretty safe bet that Clara Peller will have her own holiday special next year titled, Where's the Wreath? coleslaw kids have little or Think a bunch of nothing to do with Christmas? Think the networks are just trying to cash in on a name? Well how about A Christmas Dream on Dec. 16 (7 p.m., Channel 2)? This new special pug-nos- ed stars none other than Mr. Tas a sidewalk Santa ("Have a Merry Christmas or I bust yo' head, foo'!") and the cute and cuddly Emmanuel Lewis ( Webster) as a faithless child. And what about the relevance of a bunch of blue gremlins running around decking the halls? The Smurfs ' Christmas Special will be aired Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. on Channel 2. This season will also include four variations of Charles Dickens most famous holiday story. These versions will include A Christmas Carol with Reginald Owen and Gene Lockhart (on Channel 20 Dec 17 at 10 a.m. and Dec. 24 at 8 p.m.); Scrooge, the musical (Dec. 16 at 2:30 p.m., Channel 5); A Christmas Carol, a new version with George C Scott as Scrooge (Dec. 16 at 7 p.m., Channel 5); and Mickey's Christmas Carol, with none other than that loveable mouse as Bob Cratchit (Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., Channel 2). Two particular favorites are The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., Channel 4), the story of a woman (Loretta Suit) who organizes a group of young ruffians for a Nativity play; and It '$ a Wonderful Life (Dec. 10 at 8: 19 p.m. on Channel 7 and Dec. 2 1 at 7 p.m., Channel 1 1 ), the touching story of a man (James Stewart) who unwittingly helps an angel get his wings. "3 Wk &6 000? Except Winter Coats for University of Utah Students and Staff ONLY Must present activity card. All clothing has been cleaned and pressed by the handicapped, elderly or others in need. Our Best Work Is Your Best Buy. Deseret Industries Thrift Store Deseret Industries is a federally-approveIt's clients those who are elderly, handicapped, or d in sheltered workship. need reclaim donated goods. |
