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Thursday, December 16
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS A little heavy-handed with the religiosity, but this enduring animated series is best remembered for its wistful jazz score by Vince “Cast Your Fate To The Wind” Guaraldi. 8 pm on ABC
Friday, December 17
HE TOUCHED ME: THE GOSPEL MUSIC OF ELVIS PRESLEY Nowhere inappropriate, we trust. This compilation of clips demonstrates the King’s heartfelt love of Southern black Baptist shout ‘n’ holler. Warning: it’s pledge week, so expect multiple interruptions from that geeky dude in the bow tie. 9:15 pm on PBS
Saturday, December 18
BLACKADDER’S CHRISTMAS CAROL Rowan “Mr. Bean” Atkinson presents the Dickens morality tale in reverse, as the ghost cast of this time-travelling Britcom turn a perfectly decent chap into an odious, penny-pinching skinflint. With Miranda Richardson , Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie . 6 pm on Comedy
Sunday, December 19
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS IN NEW YORK Patsy and Edina travel to the Big Apple to reunite Edina with her long-lost son Serge and her ex-husband, who now hosts a Christian TV program. With guests Whoopi Goldberg , Debbie Harry and Graham Norton . 6 pm on Comedy
Monday, December 20
THE SWAN Two-hour season finale anoints the winner of the ugly duckling makeover beauty pageant. Who says plastic surgery, liposuction and a brain transplant can’t bring happiness? 8 pm on Fox/CHCH
Tuesday, December 21
KENNEDY CENTRE HONORS Normally, we wouldn’t draw attention to a performance attended by Dubya and his wife, but this year’s gala salutes actor Warren Beatty , opera diva Joan Sutherland and all-round diva Elton John . Worth watching for Robert Downey Jr ‘s rambling introduction of the outrageous rocker, and the Bushes’ stony reaction. 9 pm on CBS
Wednesday, December 22
SCROOGE (1951, dir Brian Desmond Hurst, w/ Alastair Sim, Jacl Warner and Hermione Baddely) The really good version, with Alastair Sim as the parsimonious businessman who reconsiders his actions after a Christmas Eve visitation from a trio of do-gooder ghosts. 8 pm on CBC
A VERY GOTTI CHRISTMAS A VERY GOTTI CHRISTMAS
Goddaughter Victoria sends her three delinquent sons to the mall with a chainsaw to buy a tree, ice skates in Central Park and bakes cupcakes for former business associates spending the holidays in witness protection. 9 pm on A&E