Canal Plus The country bets on 'Falcon' miniseries

MADRID -- Paybox Canal Plus The country has had a co-production stake in worldwide crime miniseries "Falcon." The 4-parter, that is being created by London-based Mammoth Screen for BSkyB, adjusts a couple of the 4 crime novel featuring Seville detective Javier Falcon, compiled by best-selling British author Robert Wilson. The Ecu co-production also teams Germany's shingle Network Movie, German pubcaster ZDF and it is worldwide sales arm ZDF Businesses. Helmed by Pete Travis ("Standpoint"), "Falcon" shoots early 2012 in Seville. The very first two episodes, according to "The Blind Guy of Seville," are compiled by Stephen Butchard ("House of Saddam"). To follow Falcon's research right into a brutal killing that stirs reminiscences of his father's violent past in Tangiers and also the The spanish language Civil War. Next two episodes, composed by Sarah Phelps ("Great Anticipation"), adapt "The Quiet and also the Damned," taking Falcon for an exclusive Seville barrio to conduct queries right into a double suicide. "Falcon" marks the most recent step by Canal Plus The country, the industry subsid of The spanish language conglom Prisa, to energy up its quality TV fiction production, which began 2010 with "Que fue p Jorge Sanz?" and "Crematorium," both with excitement received by The spanish language experts. Following Prisa's proceed to extend re-payment of Euros2.92 billion ($3.8 billion) debt to a minimum of 2014, Canal Plus The country is anticipated to up its programming spend. "Canal Plus has two methods for growing earnings: By enhancing revenue per customer or raising the amount of customers. Because of the tough market economic conditions in The country, the 2nd technique is much more likely,Inch stated one analyst. Canal Plus will air "Falcon" the coming year. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Cablers hit highs, lows, PR hurdles in 2011

The end of the year brings accountability to the cable universe. In surveying the major players, some networks met key goals in 2011, while others missed out on opportunities or fell short of achieving stated priorities.A&EOn the reality side, A&E hit it big with "Storage Wars" and its spinoff "Storage Wars: Texas," which saw the biggest premiere in network history. "Beyond Scared Straight" and "Gene Simmons' Family Jewels" also performed well, though long-running staples "Hoarders" and "Intervention" are starting to show some ratings wear and tear. As scripted fare goes, season two of "The Glades" was up 12% from season one, and "Breakout Kings" fared well enough in its rookie campaign (12.8 million viewers) to earn a renewal. Net is nicely placed in the top 10 in total viewers and the 18-49 and 25-54 demo, and 11th in 18-34.AMCRatings remained strong at AMC, but the net had some PR problems. AMC had a public spat with "The Walking Dead" exec producer Frank Darabont, who left the show for reasons including -- depending on whom you believe -- the amount of coin AMC was dedicating to the show, production deadlines and how much control he had as showrunner. Net also didn't anticipate the critical and audience backlash against "The Killing" finale, which failed to declare Rosie Larsen's murderer. That said, ratings for the second season of "The Walking Dead" remain strong, "Breaking Bad" numbers were up, and the "Mad Men" contract disputes were finally resolved. New drama "Hell on Wheels" also performed solidly and earned a sophomore season renewal.Comedy CentralRatings for the laffer cabler were up marginally across the board -- with the exception of a nice 8% bump in the net's preferred 18-34 demo and a record for men in 25-54 -- and rookie series "Workaholics" was a nice surprise. "Tosh.0" brings in plenty of Millennials, and "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" provide enough buzz and zeitgeist chatter to make up for any perceived ratings weakness. Newbies "Onion SportsDome" and "Sports Show With Norm Macdonald" failed to catch on and won't be returning. Net received lots of publicity for its Charlie Sheen roast, but the occasional specials could use a bit of freshening.E!E!'s fortunes rise and fall on the Kardashian family, and while those ratings remained fairly steady in 2011, cable chieftain Bonnie Hammer has made it clear a change is in order. At some point, audiences will start to tune out all things Kardashian, and Hammer, along with new network prexy Suzanne Kolb, have made scripted series a priority, especially in a TV landscape crowded with celeb-filled newsies. Viewers flocked to the cabler's two-night special on the fairytale but short-lived wedding between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. With the happy couple already split up, however, and Khloe Kardashian spouse Lamar Odom traded to the Dallas Mavericks, the new programming strategy is a welcome move.ESPNRatings slipped a bit for the all-sports behemoth, although its football coverage dominated the list of the year's top-rated programs. Net had 22 of the top 23 programs of the year -- MTV "Video Music Awards" was the lone exception -- with on-field football action, studio shows and the Japan-U.S. Women's World Cup finals. In programming acquisitions, ESPN made a nice move grabbing Wimbledon away from NBC, and it also reupped with the NFL, clearly its signature sport. On the other hand, the net lost the World Cup, and failed to secure the rights to the Olympics. The World Cup mishap stings deeply because new topper John Skipper has long been a fan of both soccer and broadening ESPN's international coverage.Fox News With its 1.8 million primetime viewers, the net is still the cable news leader by far. Yet, there are cracks in the armor, including a 14% decrease in the 25-54 demo -- the group that matters most to newsies. The departure of Glenn Beck may have been a dream scenario to the PR department, but he definitely took a handful of viewers with him. Replacement series "The Five" has done OK, but the series doesn't carry the buzz -- good or bad -- that Beck drew. Net's numbers, as well as those of competitors CNN and MSNBC, should go up next year when the presidential election race gets substantially more heated.FXFX reunited with "Nip/Tuck" creator Ryan Murphy for "American Horror Story," which became a major hit despite dividing critics. Season four of "Sons of Anarchy" returned to form, and "Justified" was again top notch, topped with an Emmy win for supporting actress Margo Martindale. And then there's "Louie." Net gives free rein to the actor-comedian, and he excels with the creative freedom. Show is labeled a comedy but skillfully delves into ultra-serious fare, and Louis CK also found himself in the Emmy race, nominated for both acting and writing. Overall, FX's ratings jumped 21% in total viewers and 22% in the 18-49 demo. Only downside was boxing drama "Lights Out," which was canceled after its first season.HBOThere may be no show more profitable to its network than "Game of Thrones" is to HBO. Fully produced by the pay cabler and already a global phenomenon after only one season, the fantasy skein was a gamble that has paid off handsomely. "Boardwalk Empire" is also strong, as is vampire staple "True Blood." Comedies were a different story, however, as "Enlightened," was critically applauded and got renewed but failed to deliver an audience. Laffers "Bored to Death," "How to Make It in America" and "Hung" all saw declines and got the ax in one fell swoop. In nonprogramming news, online viewing portal HBO Go proved a major hit, allowing the HBO brand to extend far beyond traditional TV viewing patterns.HistoryViewers continue to flock to History, with more arriving each year. Total viewers reached 1.9 million in primetime, an increase of 22% -- the biggest upside move of any cabler in 2011. After "Jersey Shore," "Pawn Stars" is the most-watched reality series on TV with 7 million viewers, and "American Pickers" isn't far behind with 5.7 million. Also doing well is second-year series "Swamp People," which drew a healthy 5.5 million for its season finale. Topper Nancy Dubuc continues her skillful rebranding of a network that many thought would never be a serious player. LifetimeThe turnaround that Nancy Dubuc has accomplished at History has yet to take shape at Lifetime. Two series got the ax after their respective first seasons: reality skein "Roseanne's Nuts" and the scripted "Against the Wall." Even the well-intentioned breast cancer-centric miniseries "Five" failed to draw a decent audience. "Drop Dead Diva" and "Army Wives" remain solid performers, but if the femme net is going to become a major player, Dubuc will have to find some new series that generate enthusiasm. Maybe Jennifer Love Hewitt in the upcoming series "The Client List" will do the trick. It's a difficult but not impossible challenge.MTVAs long as Snooki and Co. continues to attract a nation full of gawkers, MTV will always be a ratings force. The 9.2 million viewers who tune in weekly to "Jersey Shore" remains a wildly impressive number. However, the phenomenon is due to wear off sooner rather than later and the net needs to figure out what will be the next big thing. On the scripted side, MTV was pleasantly surprised by "Awkward," the high school drama that made a star out of Ashley Rickards. Overall, cabler saw healthy double-digit increases in total viewers and the 18-49 and 18-34 demos, with the net being the top channel with the latter demo. The winning "Teen Mom" franchise also looks to be around for awhile and revamped "Teen Wolf" drew some nice publicity. On the down side, the controversial U.K. import "Skins" was canceled after its first season. ShowtimeSince David Nevins took over for as programming chief in 2010, the pay cabler has made some major changes. Terrorist-themed series "Homeland" has been a ratings winner and buzzed-about by both critics and audiences. While "Dexter" was Showtime's signature drama in the past, consider the mantle officially passed. Net's subscriber base is up to 21.1 million, and the programming strategy of moving away from shows centered on eccentric women -- think "Weeds," "Nurse Jackie" and "United States of Tara" -- that were a staple under Greenblatt is slowly under way.StarzIt took guts for topper Chris Albrecht to give "Boss" a two-season order before the first episode ever aired. But justifying this bold move would seem difficult at this point. Despite an engrossing storyline and stellar work from star Kelsey Grammer, the series drew only 1.7 million viewers in combined telecasts, DVR use and On Demand over its first five episodes. Net has made a mark with its "Spartacus" franchise but will have to move beyond sword-and-sandals fare to grow. Next year's new skein, "Magic City," will be critical in determining Starz's place in a competitive pay cable environment. TBSIf TNT continues to mine winning shows for Turner, TBS is going in the opposite direction. There's been nothing particularly funny for the net, which continues to shed viewers -- down 11% to 1.5 million in total viewers and 13% in the 18-49 demo to 879,000. Clearly, Conan O'Brien hasn't delivered the kind of ratings performance hoped for when TBS gave the talkshow star his own series following the NBC debacle. The long-running Tyler Perry series -- "Meet the Browns" and "House of Payne" -- are seeing some viewer erosion, and "For Better or Worse" opened OK but below previous Perry skeins.TNTThe loss of the low-rated "Men of a Certain Age" was a blow to those who believed the skein was one of the best dramas on the air, but it was hard to argue against the move from a business standpoint. On the upside, "Southland" remains one of cable's most compelling series, the Steven Spielberg-exec produced "Falling Skies" was a bona fide rookie hit and "Rizzoli and Isles" continues to be a procedural smash. "Rizzoli," combined with the resilient Kyra Sedgwick skein "The Closer," which is nearing the end of its run, keeps TNT a major ratings force. USARanking as the No. 1 entertainment cabler for six years in a row, the moneymaking machine for NBCUniversal continues to impress. New summer series "Suits" and "Necessary Roughness" were right in line with the net's other ratings-winning dramedies -- "White Collar," "Royal Pains" and "Burn Notice" -- but toppers Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber realize they have to push out of their comfort zone with comedies and reality to stay on top. The net was best in total viewers and the 18-49 and 25-54, but there wasn't any growth from last year. There's little question that 2012 will be a very interesting year for USA. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

FX Orders KGB Spy Drama from Justified Showrunner

Graham Yost FX has ordered The Americans, a drama about two KGB spies posing as Americans in the early 1980s, the network announced Friday. The series, executive produced by Justified's Graham Yost and created by Falling Skies' Joe Weisberg, centers on the two spies, whose arranged marriage evolves into something more real, compromising their mission during the Cold War. Check out the rest of today's news "Joe Weisberg has written one of the best pilot scripts we've ever read with two richly drawn and indelible characters embarking on an epically exciting, emotional, and morally complex journey," said Nick Grad, executive vice president of original programming at FX. Who do you think should play the married spies? Is it too much to hope for Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton? Friday Night Lights reunion! Hit the comments with your thoughts.

New ads for your Amazing Spider-Guy

A trio of latest ads for your Amazing Spider-Guy are situated online, and they're taking a different tack for the new teaser poster released within the weekend.Designed to promote the film for the worldwide market, the completely new artwork is noisy, colourful and much like the Mike Raimi films. Really, should you didn't be familiar with back story behind the project, you'd probably assume it had been a continuation of the series, instead of a completely new start.They really represent a large change of pace much more comparison for the mean and moody image used inside the domestic market. Nonetheless, the suit still looks excellent, and that we are particularly liking that bobbled exterior.Directed by Marc Webb, The Astounding Spider-Guy will probably be released in 3d, and involves Uk cinemas on 4 This summer time 2012.

'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' To Open One Day Early

The wait for David Fincher's take on "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" just got one day shorter. Shows have been added for 7 p.m. on December 20, one day earlier than originally planned. "Dragon Tattoo" is destined to become one of the biggest movies of the holiday season, so even an extra night of shows could mean big returns. Check out the rest of today's film news after the jump! Mike Myers Writing 'Austin Powers' Musical The International Man of Mystery may be on the prowl again, but this time on Broadway. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Casey Nicholaw, the co-director of the Tony Award-winning "Book of Mormon," is in talks to direct a stage version of the British spy spoof which Myers would write the story for. The proposed musical would act as a prequel to the film, taking place in the 1960s, and would not star Myers. Biblical Epic 'Paradise Lost' Put on Hold Bradley Cooper may have to wait to don the horns and a tail as Lucifer, as Warner Bros. has put a hold on the Alex Proyas-directed film. The movie which chronicles the heavenly battle between good and evil started to drift over its proposed $120 million budget, and the studio paused production to reassess the bill. 'Arthur & Lancelot' Hangs In Balance with Budget Crisis Just as another Warner Bros. movie, "Paradise Lost," got paused for budget issues, another, the medieval tale of "Arthur & Lancelot" may face the same fate. Producers are rethinking the budget, fearing that it may eventually exceed its $130 million budget. Ryan Gosling Absent from First 'Gangster Squad' Entertainment Weekly has the very first official picture from Ruben Fleischer's post-war mob flick, "Gangster Squad," but the man everyone's talking about these days, Ryan Gosling, is no where to be seen. Instead, Josh Brolin and Sean Penn stare each other in a moody snapshot from the film. Seth Rogen Will Host Independent Spirit Awards The biggests award for indie films, the Independent Spirit Awards, have found their host in funnyman Seth Rogen, who appears in one of the films nominated for Best Feature, "50/50." The show will air on IFC on February 25th. Critics Choice Awards Honor 'Drive,' 'The Artist' and 'Hugo' With Best Pictures Noms Award season is in full swing, and there are no sure bets quite yet. The latest round of nominations comes from the Critics Choice Awards, who picked ten potential nominees for their Best Picture Award. Among them, "Drive" surprised with a nomination and a sign that the indie thriller may be picking up awards steam. Tell us what you think of today's Dailies in the comments section and on Twitter!

Q&A while using 'Potter' patriarch

While using Harry Potter film franchise ended, its creatives are thinking about getting honours chance of Deathly Hallows Part 2. HeymanFor David Heyman, "Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" was bittersweet. It absolutely was a farewell, but he stresses that "concentrating on 'Potter' was one of the great gifts of my professional existence and existence," since it enabled him to make use of top authors, stars, company company directors and specialists for just about any decade. Heyman spoken with Variety's Christy Grosz from NY.Grosz: Besides its tremendous box office, what impact you think "Harry Potter" had round the business?Heyman: The (U.K.-based) visual effects industry, which was not nascent and surely small, has transformed right into a (prominence). The houses can deal with around the globe. We'd over 2,000 people concentrating on each one of these films. People who began as assistants are really running departments.CG: Can you attribute that success to being faithful for the books and keeping fans happy?DH: (Author J.K. Rowling's) books provide a loyal fanbase, however also believe we made films which was on their own terms. You will not ever see "Harry Potter as well as the Sorcerer's Stone" with film covers. Jo was very keen to keep the books as well as the films separate. They're different. Clearly, the wealth from the books helps make the movies possible and fueled their success, but it's amazing the number of filmgoers did not showed up in the movies within the books.CG: You infamously optioned the initial book inside the galley stage in 1999, unsure its franchise potential ...DH: I never witnessed it a franchise. It's numerous films, one film at any time. Which has been how you have approached it. This label 'franchise' ... that is not where it began.CG: The movies clearly connected with audiences but haven't received much attention round the honours circuit. You think that's important if you have financial success?DH: How you began the process was to take advantage effective films possible. That's everything really mattered. Then, we tried to create films that Jo would enjoy that the fans would enjoy. It seems like we been effective with this particular. The fact we are obtaining a conversation around the honours can be a bonus. We have got 97% approval on Rotten Tomato vegetables, that people think is probably the finest (ratings for just about any) film this year. I really think the technical qualities are similar to any film available. In my opinion the performances of Take advantage of Fiennes and Alan Rickman are masterful. In the event you have a look at our cast, adult and child, it's phenomenal. But ultimately, I'm just really excited that individuals made films that connected having a crowd. Hopefully, it'll communicate with some Academy voters, so when it doesn't, I'm still really pleased with the movies that individuals made -- specially the final film that David Yates made. I don't think imaginable how hard it's to complete a collection around the high after 10 years and eight films, and David Yates and everybody handled to accomplish this.CG: Although "Harry Potter" has found the final outcome, your production company, Heyday Films, remains going strong. Which kind of business goals have you are looking at if you started it in 1997?DH: I seriously considered a bridge involving the two nations. I speak British, which i speak American. I recognize both British as well as the American worldwide marketplace, getting were living in people areas. I furthermore preferred to create British material, that we believe there's a great amount, for the U.S. in addition to bring U.S. material one other way. There's huge talent that's according to both places.CG: It was not simply in the financing or business perspective?DH: No, it absolutely was a pursuit perspective. It's the material. Also to access use BBC and Film4 and Studiocanal -- have a look at how Studiocanal is thriving. They did all this new funding they wish to make British-language films, European-introduced but worldwide films, which is thrilling. For any couple of from the other material, films that are nontentpole -- in addition to some that may be, and surely for people that are not -- worldwide bankers offer great options. You will discover certainly a couple of a few things i preferred to obtain developed -- at first, anyway -- within the BBC or at Film4 that particular couldn't get developed at say Warner Bros. or even the new the new sony or Disney. That allows certain projects that may possibly not have a existence to experience a existence.Next: David Cronenberg Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Jane Fonda, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Pascal Share Laughs, Inspirations at THR's Women in Entertainment Breakfast

The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 breakfast, which HBO's Sue Naegle described as "estrogen meets ambition," was held Dec 7 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.our editor recommendsJane Fonda Opens Up About Her Father, Her Return to Acting and the Lesson She Learned From Warren BeattyThe Scene at THR's 2011 Women In Entertainment Power 100 BreakfastAnne Sweeney Tops THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 ListKim Kardashian Attends THR's Women in Entertainment BreakfastBonnie Hammer Reveals E! Rebranding Plans; Wants Up to Four New Kardashian Spinoffs13 Female Power-Players Who Rule the WorldRelated Topics•Women in Entertainment The annual breakfast, which Summit's Nancy Kirkpatrick said is "the one event of the year that says, 'You go girl,' "began at 8 am with a reception at the hotel's Crystal Ballroom where Sony's Amy Pascal said she feels what's best about the affair is "it's great for young women to see they can do anything in the business." PHOTOS: The Scene at THR's 2011 Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast The program kicked off with an intro from Chelsea Handler, who began by saying, "I have no idea why there are so many f***ing men here." She was followed by THR editorial director Janice Min who said the bottom line on the WIE Power 100 issue is: "You want to be on it and we want you to be on it." Afterward, Lifetime's Nancy Dubuc, who spoke about the need for women to mentor each other, drew applause when she said, "We know the most dangerous thing for the men at the top is for the women to be talking" and helping each other. PHOTOS: THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 Kirsten Dunst then introduced Pascal who paid tribute to the late producer Laura Ziskin and began by saying, "I had no idea how much her death would affect me. There are big holes left in so many lives." Before a video clip played, she told a story of how, when Ziskin's ashes were scattered from the Santa Monica pier, dolphins suddenly appeared and began splashing in the water. "I swear this happened," said Pascal. "We were sure that somehow Laura was able to produce that too." COMPLETE LIST: 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 The Help author Katheryn Stockett was joined by Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis to speak about THR's mentoring program and how this helps young women "discover their own beautiful self-worth." The heavy-set Spencer got a laugh when she began by telling the photographers to "aim high. That's where the money is" and joined with Davis in introducing who this year's mentees will be. THR publisher, senior vpLynne Segall thanked the event's sponsors and organizers before Sherry Lansing spoke regarding honoree Jane Fonda. The former Paramount head told a story of working with Fonda when she was a producer on The China Syndrome and being told by the studio execs that the film's name must be changed, news that Lansing dutifully passed on to the actress. "Are you a corporate tool?" was Fonda's reaction. "Where are your instincts? Your values? Are just carrying their water?" Lansing said this was her first experience with how "non-compromising" the actress could be. Fonda then began her remarks by saying, "Did I really say corporate tool? No wonder people didn't like me." She accepted the award, which is shaped like a small crystal block, and joked, "it's made out of a chunk of the glass ceiling that Sherry broke." She also corrected Lansing who said Fonda was engaged to Richard Perry by saying she was "in love with" the record producer but there were no wedding plans. She got a laugh when she did a quick run through of the times she's been married and then not. Fonda then spoke on the subject of how until women hold decisive positions in the industry films won't reflect "the fascinating complexity of women's lives." She ended her remarks by saying, "In the spirit of Laura Ziskin, let's keep moving forward." Women in Entertainment is presented by Lifetime. Other sponsors include Audi, BCBGMAXAZRIA Group, Gersh, Guggenheim Partners, Marina B, Scandia Down. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 Related Topics Chelsea Handler Kirsten Dunst Nancy Dubac Women in Entertainment Sue Naegle Women in Entertainment 2011 Nancy Kirkpatrick

The Self-help guide to Thursday TV: Bones, A Place of work Customer, A Rustic Christmas, plus much more!

Bones Always a common (if sometimes contentious) subject throughout my Request Matt forum, Fox's Bones refutes any notion that it's heart isn't in where in this particular week's ultimately touching episode (9/8c). Take advantage of Waite (forever Papa Walton to numerous us, though nowadays also called Jethro's father on NCIS) comprises a welcome return as Booth's grandfather, bearing some uncomfortable news that has the pregnant Bones (Emily Deschanel) wondering precisely how to attain to some closed-off Booth (David Boreanaz, who's in especially fine form). "I will be capable of help Booth, shouldn't I?" she frets with a encouraging Angela. It may be being pregnant your body's the body's hormones as well as the irritatingly swelling breasts, but Bones relaxes her guardedness enough doing guy by having an emotional rough patch that creates recollections both negative and positive. With this week's situation, which returns Tina Majorino as gung-ho Agent Shaw - who'd do just about anything to please Booth - let's just say it gives new meaning for the publish office's "dead letter" operation. Piecing together this puzzle means putting together a look and feel discovered in multiple shipping boxes - another work day for your squints.Want more TV news? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!ER's Maura Tierney returns to NBC's Thursday evening selection - likely to Work (9/8c) since the wife of enigmatic new Boss Robert California (James Spader), who's searching to discover a role for his spouse at Dunder Mifflin. Elsewhere on NBC's comedy selection: Leslie continues trial on Parks and Entertainment (8:30/7:30c) Rob and Shirley synergy to get control in the school's foosball table on lately christened TV Guide Magazine "fan favorite" Community (8/7c), while Annie makes matters worse when she tries to hide the fact she broke Abed's Dark Dark evening DVD too as with a bizarre preview of sorts to impending midseason changes, Chelsea Handler site visitors just like a counselor on Whitney (9:30/8:30c) inside an episode titled "Up With The Evening." Because you can frequently hear, Whitney will probably be vacating Thursdays inside the year, altering with Up With The Evening and creating a completely new Wednesday block with Are You Currently Presently There, Chelsea? - which can be a moot question if these shows don't pull how much in the typically difficult time period for NBC.A few musical notes: It's a double elimination on Fox's The X Factor (8/7c), meaning no matter the way it plays out, one or more in the "women" or "males" will probably be taken off Simon Cowell's or L.A. Reid's teams - maybe one from each if Josh Krajcik, the ultimate (and greatest) in the elders, handles to live (though he fought on Michael Jackson evening getting a poor, and badly overproduced, number). And knowing from people amusing cutaways Wednesday evening for the bored-searching Jackson kids inside the audience, if sour-faced little Blanket Jackson had his way, everyone might be going home. ... Noticeably missing within the X Factor ranks is anybody in the united states persuasion. If that's more for the taste, ABC obliges with CMA Country Christmas (9/8c), a couple-hour holiday music hootenanny featuring The The American Idol Show Show alums Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Kellie Pickler, together using this type of-listers as Belief Hill, Martina McBride, Kaira Paisley, Keith Urban - too as with a jerk for the box office, Vince Gill in the duet while using Muppets' Miss Piggy.Among popular options that come with World Helps Day-related programming: Logo design design begins a couple-evening presentation in the brilliant Cinemax miniseries version of Tony Kushner's epic Angels in the united states (10/9c concludes Friday at 10/9c), featuring Al Pacino and Meryl Streep among an incredible ensemble. ... Showtime's focus in the evening of Helps-related documentary programming is Possess a Child Alive With Alicia Secrets (9/8c), in which the music artist brings five contest individuals who win to Nigeria to visit sites where the "Possess a Child Alive" foundation provides healthcare and moral support to children and families influenced by Helps/Helps.Suggests that demand being taken moderately: TLC unveils the results to become charged with D.U.I. (9/8c) in the new COPS-like series shot in Oklahoma, where police crack lower on drunk drivers, who cameras follow-through area sobriety tests through arrest and sentencing. ... Discovery tales the Weed Wars (10/9c, simulcast on Discovery Fit & Health) in the world of medicinal marijuana, following a employees of Concord, CA's Harborside Health Center, known to as "the nation's greatest medicinal cannabis dispensary," serving 94,000 patients. Snoop Dogg works the series' original title track for the surprise of virtually no one.Just what else is on? ... It's under as legendary or as enjoyable as Rudolph, which once again shown a ratings champion for CBS this year's week, nevertheless the 1970 Rankin-Bass Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (ABC, 8/7c) is tonight's bid for classic-cartoon supremacy, with Fred Astaire narrating and Mickey Rooney delivering the voice in the youthful Kris Kringle, who memorably knots while using odious Burgermeister Meisterburger. ... OWN's Documentary Club presents One Lucky Elephant (9/8c), that's really in regards to the unlucky Flora, an orphaned African elephant who was simply adopted and trained having a circus owner who eventually realizes she must search for a house on her behalf after she retires. Much simpler theoretically. ... Tonight's Mentalist repeat from last season on CBS (10/9c) is notable due to its guest turn by Morena Baccarin, so terrific on Showtime's Homeland this season, becoming an alluring matchmaker who Patrick Jane thinks may have wiped out her husband.Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!