Font ResizeChuck Barney's TV Picks for Nov. 29-Dec. 5
DON'T MISS: "The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert" — Hail, hail rock 'n' roll. It's a music lover's dream as the some of the biggest giants in the business take the stage at Madison Square Garden in New York for a once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza. Taped over two nights in October, the four-hour special boasts a marquee that includes Bruce Springsteen, U2, Metallica, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Some of the best moments come in mix-and-match performances such as Mick Jagger combining with the Black Eyed Peas on "Gimme Shelter." 8 tonight, HBO.
OTHER BETS:
TONIGHT: Mario Lopez a dog? Hardly. But he gives voice to a canine in "The Dog Who Saved Christmas, " a new live-action movie about a guard dog who makes life tough for some burglars out to spoil the holidays. 8 p.m., ABC Family.
MONDAY: You'd have to have a heart two sizes too small not to love "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The furry grouch is back to once again torment the citizens of Whoville. 8 p.m., Channels 7 and 10 (ABC).
MONDAY: The holiday programming onslaught shifts into ogre-drive with "Shrek the Halls." The special has our favorite swamp creature trying to get into the Christmas spirit with some help from Donkey. 8:30 p.m., Channels 7 and 10 (ABC).
TUESDAY: OK, you've seen it 800 times, but "A Charlie Brown
TUESDAY: Oh, so creepy: On "Melrose Place," Amanda (Heather Locklear) moves into the penthouse once occupied by the deceased Sydney. We envision some ghostly visits. 9 p.m., Channels 31 and 44 (The CW).
WEDNESDAY: It's the holiday special that taught us that Bumbles bounce and elves can be dentists. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" may be 44 years old, but it still has that special glow. 7 p.m., Channel 13; 8 p.m., Channel 5 (CBS).
WEDNESDAY: Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow and other celebrities convene for "Christmas in Rockefeller Center." The real star, however, is the humongous tree — in all its radiant glory. 8 p.m., Channels 3 and 11 (NBC).
WEDNESDAY: The hardware won't be handed out until January, but the fun gets started early with "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live: Countdown to Music's Biggest Night." The Black Eyed Peas, Maxwell and Sugarland perform. 8:02 p.m., Channel 13; 9:02 p.m., Channel 13 (CBS).
THURSDAY: "Fringe" is one show you don't want to watch at meal time. Things get gross again tonight when people on a cargo ship are found to be hosts for a squid-like parasite. 9 p.m., Channels 2 and 40 (Fox).
FRIDAY: Enjoy it while you can. "Dollhouse," already canceled, returns with back-to-back episodes tonight. Even better: Summer Glau ("The Sarah Connor Chronicles") gets in on the action. 8 p.m., Channels 2 and 40 (Fox).
SATURDAY: In the TV film "Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle," a frazzled widower (James Van Der Beek) with young twin boys hires a new housekeeper (Doris Roberts) who turns out to have a magic touch with his kids and more. 8 p.m., Hallmark Channel.
Reach Chuck Barney at 925-952-2685 or cbarney@bayareanewsgroup.com. Also check out his blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/category/tv.
