TV tonight: 'Wiz,' 'Shrek,' 'CMA Christmas'
The Wiz Live!
NBC, 8 ET/PT
Could The Wiz be the one that gets it right? Neither of NBC's previous live musicals was totally satisfying — but my goodness, look at the talent producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have lined up this time. Director Kenny Leon, script doctor Harvey Fierstein and production partners Cirque Du Soleil, working with stars Uzo Aduba, Stephanie Mills (the show's original Dorothy), Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige, Elijah Kelley, David Alan Grier, Amber Riley and, as Dorothy, newcomer Shanice Williams. What's more, this is precisely the kind of Broadway show TV should be doing, or re-doing: an entertaining musical damaged in public memory by a terrible film. (They've already corrected one of the movie's major errors by making Dorothy a teenager again.) Maybe it will all come to naught — but hey, it's the holiday season. What do we have to lose by being optimistic?
Shrek the Halls
ABC, 8:30 ET/PT
For those seeking certain pleasures, ABC repeats this Shrek spinoff featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas. It's fun, if a bit lacking in the seasonal spirit.
CMA Country Christmas
ABC, 9 ET/PT
Or, if you like, you can go country caroling with ABC. Jennifer Nettles hosts this special, with Jewel, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes and Darius Rucker among those scheduled to perform.