Wednesday Watch List: Grinch vs. Grinch: WHO YA GOT?!

Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch while you sit in the airport and wait for ten hours because your flight home is busying de-icing in Moosejaw. LET’S GO!

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! – 8:00PM (ABC) The Chuck Jones holiday classic reairs tonight right before Christmas Eve strikes. It’s immediately followed by the Ron Howard film version of the same book, which stars Jim Carrey and is five times longer. Take a wild guess as to which one I’ll be choosing for my viewing this evening. One other thing: When you watch the animated special, you’ll notice that the “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” song is broken up over the course of the whole show. But when you listen to it on the radio, they play it all together. And Holy Moses, does that song have a lot of verses. It’s like “American Pie,” for crying out loud. ANTICIPATION: SEASICK CROCODILE!

CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED – 8:00PM (Discovery) Learn about the history of Christmas and the surprising role it played in several historic events, including the end of slavery. I swear that’s what the guide says. I guess Lincoln bestowed freedom upon the workers as a kind of stocking stuffer? Seems like an awfully abstract thing to try and wrap. Also learn how Christmas affected the invention of the first artificial heart. Did it light up and play “Jingle Bells” if your pulse went over 120? You know it did. ANTICIPATION: COOL!

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL – 8:00PM (USA – An NBC/Universal Network) The nuked fridge scene always reminds me of the “Chicago Jones” clip from “Hollywood Shuffle”. Because Indy knew about the gravity and the polarity, you see. ANTICIPATION: NAH MAN, THASS SOME BULLSPIT!

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS – 10:00PM (Bravo – An NBC/Universal Network) One of the rich girls hosts a Roaring 20’s party. Unfortunately, because she knows very little about history, that means her party is decorated with grad students in lion costumes. ANTICIPATION: BITCHY!

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET – 9:00PM (BBC America) Well, I certainly like the killing and cannibalism parts. It’s the singing parts that really depress me. ANTICIPATION: BLOODY GOOD!

Contact Us