Weekend TV: 'Seinfeld' celebrates a 'Festivus for the rest of us'
BY RITA SHERROW World Television Writer
Thursday, December 20, 2012
12/20/12 at 5:11 AM
TV is brimming with holiday spirit this weekend, and it's not with all the usual holiday suspects.
'Tis the season to be "Festivus."
And you can get in the spirit Thursday with "Seinfeld."
The comedy episode, airing at 11:30 p.m. on KOKI, channel 23, cable 5, introduced a new holiday tradition on lots of college campuses and in many a city. According to imdb.com, it involves Kramer returning to work at H&H Bagels after a 12-year strike, Elaine giving out fake phone numbers so many times that she misses out on a free sandwich, Jerry dating a woman who is literally two-faced (depending on the light) and George getting caught trying to cash donations made out to his fake charity and blaming it all on "Festivus."
The "holiday," which George called "A Festivus for the rest of us," was created by the father of one of the show's writers in 1996 and was written into the episode that debuted in 1997. On the show, George claims his father created the holiday in reaction to the commercialization of Christmas and his childhood nightmare.
Programming note
KJRH, channel 2, has moved its "Against Bullying" special to 8 p.m. Thursday. It will be replaced at 7 p.m. by a repeat of the NBC special "Christmas at the White House" and followed, at 8:30 p.m., by "Parks and Recreation." The pre-empted "The Office" episode will air at 1:05 a.m. early Friday. All on channel 2, cable 9.
Burn, baby, burn
Snuggle up to the televised "Yule Log" this holiday weekend.
The annual smoke-free fireplace is "burning" for free on the national Movies on Demand website, tulsaworld.com/yulelogtv, on your local cable system. The 8-minute, 56-second video of logs burning is accompanied by traditional carols as are videos of "Winter Green," a snowy forest scene, and "Snowman," who is well-dressed and standing in a snowstorm. Check Cox On Demand channels FreeZone 1050 and FreeZone HD On Demand 1.
Who's got it?
Fans will find out who has "The X Factor" (and gets a great big Christmas present) when the reality singing competition wraps its season Thursday - and at least one judge will be saying goodbye. Probably two, but only L.A. Reid is confirmed. Britney Spears is not expected to sign up for a second year, and Demi Lovato hasn't committed to returning, either. But one of the finalists - Carly Rose Sonenclar, Tate Stevens and the girl-group Fifth Harmony - will have their dreams come true when they win the $5 million recording contract.
Do you believe?
AMC makes sure no one has an excuse for missing the 1994 holiday film "Miracle on 34th Street," starring Sir Richard Attenborough. It airs at 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday on cable 48. The holiday film has a department store Santa claiming to be the real Santa Claus. And, yes boys and girls, Santa is real.
Celebrate the season
The legendary Diana Ross, "Smash" star Megan Hilty, recording star Demi Lovato, "The Voice" favorite Chris Mann and "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery will ring in the holiday season on TNT's annual "Christmas in Washington" special. It airs at 7 p.m. Friday on cable 29.
Ringle, ringle
NBC has the rarely seen 1962 holiday film "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol," airing at 7 p.m. Saturday on channel 2, cable 9. In this animated version of "A Christmas Carol," the nearsighted Mr. Magoo learns the true meaning of Christmas from the three spirits who come to haunt him one Christmas Eve. Jim Bacus voices and sings the role of Magoo.
The hills are alive
For some viewers, "The Sound of Music" will provide a warm and fuzzy family feeling. For others, it will be the San Francisco 49ers going at the Seattle Seahawks. The former airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC, channel 8. And the latter at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC, channel 2, cable 9.
And, FYI, one of my favorite Christmas TV movies is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," starring Henry Winkler. This sweet little film airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on Hallmark, cable 165. I know it's sappy, but it's fun.
Associated Images:
Diana Ross performs on "Christmas in Washington" Friday on TNT, cable 29. E. M. PIO RODA / TNT
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