Who made the cut?: Networks pick this fall's hits and misses
Stephen Amell in “Arrow”
It has been a great fall for television, and with mid-season shows coming just around the corner, networks are trying to put together a winning combination for the new year. Over the past few weeks, they have deliberated over who will stick around in the new year and who won't make it back.
Parks and Recreation, on NBC
When one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated for a woodworking award, Ron, Diane (guest star Lucy Lawless) and Leslie attend the awards ceremony. Unfortunately, their special night is threatened when Tammy II (guest star Megan Mullally) arrives.
Q: What was the name of the TV movie about a widower who wouldn't buy his daughter a Christmas tree? I think Jason Robards was in it.
Jason Robards was indeed the bitter, widowed father whose daughter's Christmas wish is simply to have a tree in their house in the 1972 CBS telefilm "The House Without a Christmas Tree."
The film, set in Nebraska in the mid-1940s, was based on the classic children's novel of the same name by Gail Rock, and also starred Lisa Lucas as the daughter, Addie Mills, and Mildred Natwick as her eccentric, live-in grandmother.
The Neighbors, on ABC
The Weavers finally convince the Bird-Kersees to let their kids go to a regular school, and the aliens head to the mall to go shopping for clothes in this rebroadcast. Meanwhile, Debbie and Jackie become suspicious of each other's intentions.
New Girl, on Fox
Zooey Deschanel fans are in for a Christmas Day treat as Fox gifts them with back-to-back encores. First, Jess and her friends get into the spirit of the season as they attend Schmidt's holiday office party, where Schmidt plays a sexy Santa.
Q: Was Audrey Hepburn's Princess Ann character in "Roman Holiday" inspired by any real royals? And how did the production team gain access to such regal sets?
The adventure of Audrey Hepburn's Princess Ann (whose country of origin is never mentioned) is said to have been inspired by the real-life rebellious romance of Britain's Princess Margaret, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth.
It's a Wonderful Life, on NBC
Jimmy Stewart stars as downtrodden banker George Bailey in this timeless holiday masterpiece. Facing financial ruin, Bailey wishes he'd never been born, and a guardian angel shows him what life would be like for his loved ones without him.
New Releases for the week of December 23 - 29
The Words
Author Clayton Hammond reads an excerpt from his new book to an eager audience. He tells the story of Rory, an aspiring young author working in the mail room of a literary agency. When Rory’s girlfriend, Dora, gifts him with an antique suitcase, their lives are suddenly changed forever. Inside the suitcase is a manuscript, which Rory ultimately submits to a publisher, claiming it as his own work. The book is a huge hit, and Rory is showered with praise and accolades that he didn’t earn. As he struggles with the guilt and shame his actions have caused him, he finds the man who really wrote the manuscript. As Clayton Hammond describes how Rory’s life is beginning to fall apart, a beautiful journalist is digging into the truth of Hammond’s inspiration.
Directors: Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal. Stars: Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons, Ben Barnes, John Hannah, J.K. Simmons. 2012. 37 min. Drama.
The Well Digger's Daughter
Pascal, a widowed well-digger, lives in the Provence countryside with his six daughters. As the Second World War begins, his eldest daughter, Patricia, returns home to help him with the other children. Pascal has big plans for Patricia, hoping to marry her to his loyal and loving assistant, but Patricia has other ideas. She's in love. When her beloved suddenly marches off to the front line, he leaves her pregnant and alone. Now Pascal must swallow his pride, pick up the pieces, and keep his family safe and together.
Director: Daniel Auteuil. Stars: Daniel Auteuil, Kad Merad, Sabine Azema, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Jean-Pierre Darroussin. 2011. 107 min. Drama.
Cinderella 3D
In this adaptation of the classic story, Cinderella is a tough cowgirl living in a town named after her mean old stepmother, Felicity. When Felicity throws a ball to celebrate the arrival of Prince Vladimir and his mother the Duchess, Cinderella sneaks in unrecognized, thanks to the help of a shaman named Little Cloud. Just as Cinderella and her prince begin to hit it off, the party is crashed by gorilla pirates who kidnap the prince's mother. Now Cinderella, Little Cloud and Prince Vladimir must set off on a quest to find and rescue the Duchess.
Director: Pascal Herold. Stars: Alexandra Lamy, Yolande Moreau, Isabelle Nanty, Antoine de Caunes. 2012. 81 min. Animated.
Late Laughs for the week of December 23 - 29, 2012
The kid from “Two and a Half Men,” Angus T. Jones, says he wants to leave the show because it goes against his Christian values. Which, by the way, is the same reason Charlie Sheen left.
At Speaker of the House John Boehner’s office, a group of nude female protesters stormed in. Boehner said he’s not sure what they were protesting, but he’ll definitely keep doing it!
On their honors: Annual gala recognizes cultural contributions
The recipients of the 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors
To say that American culture is prevalent around the world wouldn't be an exaggeration. On practically every corner of the planet, one can find signs of American music, movies, books and celebrities.