What's On
SUNDAY - 12/8
Dr. Seuss on the Loose (Cartoon Network, 10:30-11 a.m.): The word doctor is in, and does he ever make house calls! Cartoon Network is serving up a heapin' helping of Dr. Seuss classics: The rhyming feast is 10 courses of "The Lorax" (11:30-12 noon), "The Cat in the Hat" (12 noon-12:30 p.m.), "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2-2:30 p.m.), and others.
Mrs. Santa Claus (CBS, 8-10 p.m.): 'Twas the week before Christmas and a rather bored Mrs. Claus (Angela Lansbury) decides to take a joy ride around the world in her hubby's sleigh. Things go awry, and she crash-lands in 1910 New York. With only seven days to whip the world of Avenue A into shape, she tackles social issues such as women's suffrage and child labor, tangles with a nasty toymaker, and still finds time for matchmaking. Lansbury is in fine form as the first lady of the North Pole, but the first made-for-TV musical in more than 40 years winds up more than a little on the sugary side.
MONDAY - 12/9
The Composers' Specials (HBO, 7-7:50 p.m.): HBO's series for children concludes with "Handel's Last Chance," a sweet fictional story peppered with real facts about the composer and the debut of his masterpiece, "The Messiah."
The Three Sopranos (PBS, 8-9:30 p.m.): Not a tenor to be found in this trio made up of Kathleen Cassello, Kallen Esperian, and Cynthia Lawrence. The three-some will perform highlights from "La Boheme" "Faust," and "Carmen," as well as medleys of operetta and Broadway music.
TUESDAY - 12/10
Welcome Home for the Holidays (CBS, 8-9 p.m.): When it comes to entertaining, Martha Stewart knows it all. In this special, she shares recipes and decorating ideas from her home in Westport, Conn. Helping with the festivities are sports great Michael Jordan, actor Dennis Franz and his wife, and Miss Piggy.
THURSDAY - 12/12
Elmo Saves Christmas (PBS, 8-9 p.m.): Poet Maya Angelou narrates the first "Sesame Street" holiday special in more than 20 years. After Elmo wishes it were Christmas every day, the entire neighborhood gets more than their fill of holiday cheer, and the fuzzy fellow learns why Christmas only comes once a year.
Driving Miss Daisy (Cinemax, 8-9:40 p.m.): This 1989 film about an ornery Southern widow and her chauffeur of many years won four Oscars, including best picture and best actress. Starring the late Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd.
Mary Poppins (Disney, 8:30-10 p.m.): For a real musical treat, tune in to this classic starring Julie Andrews. With songs that range from the silly, "Supercalifragilistic," to the sublime, "Feed the Birds," and memorable performances from the entire cast, it's an evening that's "practically perfect in every way."
SATURDAY - 12/14
An Edith Ann Christmas (ABC, 8:30-9 p.m.): Lily Tomlin lends her comedic talents to this new animated special, based on one of her most popular creations.
Opryland's Country Christmas (CBS, 9-10 p.m.): Nashville is decked out for the holidays, and so are some of its favorite musicians. Patty Loveless, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna, Clint Black, and teen-sensation LeAnn Rimes are among performers gracing the Grand Ole Opry, historical Ryman Auditorium, and other locales.
But more than just music, viewers also learn about the roots of country music and are entertained with a special dance number by the spirited Irish troupe Riverdance.
PICK OF THE WEEK: Opryland's Country Christmas, Saturday, 9-10 p.m. (CBS),
