TV: Five shows worth watching tonight: Dec. 5
A select viewing guide for Monday, Dec., 5
HOLIDAY SPECIALS A Charlie Brown Christmas ABC, 8 p.m. The first airing of this animated special officially kicks off the holiday season for many viewers. Originally broadcast in 1965, the story’s premise finds good old Charlie Brown in a funk over the crass commercialization of the festive season; even his dog Snoopy is expecting a big payoff. His search for the true meaning of Christmas leads him to buy a scrawny tree for the school party, which only opens him up to harsh ridicule by his materialistic classmates. And then somehow Linus fixes everything by reciting Bible verse. The lesson here: Get that tree early.
REALITY Candy Queen TLC, 10 p.m. What the TV world needs today is another reality series set in the confectionery treat business. Well, not really, but TLC, which has already struck ratings gold with shows about people who make cakes and cupcakes, goes back to the well for this series focusing on L.A.-based candy princess Jackie Sorkin. The six-episode series follows Sorkin and her team fulfilling the confectionery needs of Hollywood special events. In tonight’s kickoff episode, she’s scrambling to create a giant candy country fair for Hank Azaria’s children’s charity. In the second show, she tries to create two towering candy sculptures booked on the same day.
MOVIE Trapped in Paradise Vision, midnight Although this 1994 holiday-themed comedy was unkindly received by critics, there’s an undeniable charm to the story. Set in the scenic town of Paradise, Pa. (but filmed in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.), the story stars Nicolas Cage as the meek diner manager Bill, whose unexpected Christmas present is the return of his ne’er-do-well brothers Dave (Jon Lovitz) and Alvin (Dana Carvey). In short order, Bill is talked into pulling a bank heist, which is deemed a success until the citizens of Paradise begin spreading that infectious Christmas cheer. Watch for venerable Canadian actor Sean McCann as the local police chief.