TV surprises in order for those staying home
JAKARTA (JP): For those still suffering the aftershock over the cancellation of party-till-two New Year's festivities (in view of Ramadhan) try not to lose heart.
One can still enjoy on-the-couch parties with the likes of Andy Garcia, Elizabeth Taylor and, of course, Santa Claus.
TV program agendas confirm rock-around-the-clock shows beginning the third week of December. Their packed packages are planned around the unusual close dates of both New Year's and the beginning of Ramadhan.
Representatives of five local TV stations said programs include drama specials, blockbuster movies, quiz and talk shows, star-studded music programs and religious shows.
RCTI representative Anita Naryadi announced the airing of 24- hour shows from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 at a recent press conference.
Anita said that TV specials would include Macaulay Culkin movies.
While Home Alone will be aired at 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Home Alone 2 the same time on Dec. 25, Getting Even With Dad, The Good Son and See You in the Morning will be aired on Dec. 29, Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 respectively at 10 p.m.
Horror-movie freaks can feast their eyes over the midnight agenda from Dec. 23 to Dec. 29. On the list are Blindfold: Acts of Obsession, Trapped and Deceived, Tombstone, Seduced and Betrayed and Dead Badge.
Also planned on the late night agenda are action-packed movies Fist of Glory, Sudden Thunder, Escape To Nowhere, Triple Impact, The Hunted, Double Blast and Spyder.
A sure treat for Sean Connery and Roger Moore fans is a line of 007 blockbusters like Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun at 8 p.m., from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1.
Among several programs offered, a unique one will be aired Christmas at 10:30 a.m. on Indosiar, according to representative Andreas Ambesa.
Surat-Surat Kepada Tuhan (Letters to God) will feature the reading out of letters from children living in various conditions. Some include a homeless child living in a railway car, an orphan, a child who likes to play in parks, a dancer learning to dance on stage, and a fisherman's child who likes to watch the sun rise while sitting on the beach.
Midnight features worth the wait on Indosiar include two-hour movies like the tragic Stella, starring Bette Midler, on Dec. 23.
Lorenzo's Oil will be aired Dec. 24. Starring Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon, this award-winning movie tells of a child whose health deteriorates to a death-like existence.
Preceding the movie is a one-hour Christmas music special featuring local artists Mus Mulyadi, Vonny Sumelang, Ermy Kulit, Cynthia Maramis and Ricky Yohannes and a sermon by Eka Dharmaputra and Father Mudji Sutrisno.
Mass at the Vatican will be aired live twice by SCTV on Dec. 25 -- the Midnight Mass from St. Peter's Basilica at 6 a.m. and Urbi et Orbi at 5:55 p.m.
Special programs
Airing 23 special programs, SCTV will pack a wallop. Children can wake up to special cartoon editions like Forgotten Toys, Good King Wencelas, Cinderella Frozen in Time, Twelve Days Of Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town at 8:30 a.m.
Local music lovers can enjoy a New Year's treat Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. -- Gebyar 1998.
The one-and-a-half hour show will feature singers Reza, Harvey Malaiholo, Ronny Sianturi, Fariz RM and Denny Malik, and telestars Dian Nitami, Cindy Claudia, Jeremy Thomas and Ari Wibowo.
Enjoy easy-on-the-ear music every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. with the JakJazz Adult show, every Friday with JakJazz Youngster and Dec. 29's JakJazz Special.
A drama musical on Anteve is one that might attract a lot of attention.
Singer Katon Bagaskara, quiz show host Sonny Tulung, talk show host Rebecca Tumewu and actress Lydia Kandau star in the musical, Bias Kasih (Ray of Love).
The story tells of two strangers coming from completely different backgrounds. Having realized that they are not happy with their lives, they exchange families and try leading their designated lives instead.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra meets cartoon star Asterix on Christmas Day, in which the queen of the Nile, challenged by Caesar's taunts, gets Asterix to build a palace within three days.
On Dec. 31 starting at 10:20 p.m., Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan face worse trouble in When a Man Loves a Woman -- the story of a couple's ordeal as the wife is a woman torn between drinking and running a household.
Then after midnight, Elizabeth Taylor and Eva Gabor star in Last Time I Saw Paris, set in the midst of World War II.
TPI has prepared an exceptional program to welcome the month of Ramadhan. Padang Bulan Ramadhan, aired every day except Saturday, has Emha Ainun Najib as the host of the talk show. At 6 p.m., one can watch the noted columnist and poet discussing Islamic thoughts on social issues and others with invited guests.
The guest list includes prominent poets A. Mustofa Bisri and W.S. Rendra, rock singer Iwan Fals, entrepreneur Dewi Motik and pop singers Anang and Krisdayanti.
Another sure hit with local audiences will be Operet Lebaran (operetta for Idul Fitri). Prepared by singers Harry Roesli and Titiek Puspa, the show will include artists Ayu Azhari, the Lenong Bocah Group, Evie Tamala and dangdut star Ikke Nurjanah performing from Jan. 8 to Jan. 14. (02)