No Magoo

We've been talking about NBC's plans to air Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol this year in prime-time, and even managed to get the network to correct errors in a press release saying they'd be airing it.  So just when in December is it airing?  This article in today's Miami Herald discusses Holiday specials and of Magoo, it has this to say…

NBC has purchased the broadcast rights and guaranteed Classic Media, the show's owner, that it will appear on a Friday this December.  But as this story went to press, NBC was still mum about which Friday or the time slot.

Perhaps it's a secret because it isn't going to happen.  NBC has released its prime-time schedule through the end of the month and the near-sighted guy is nowhere to be seen on it.  Next Friday, they have Providence, NBC Dateline and Law & Order: Criminal Intent filling the evening.  The Friday after — the last before Xmas — they have a two-hour Providence, followed by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.  And the following Friday (December 27, two days after Christmas Day) is a two-hour NBC Dateline, followed by another Law & Order: Something.  Quincy Magoo is not to be found on the other December nights, either.  So if he's getting on, they're really keeping it a secret.

As we mentioned here, we thought airing the 1962 special was a great idea.  It's still a great idea.  But it looks like if you want to watch it, you'll have to do so via VHS or DVD.  That's fine for those of us who winced to think what would probably get cut, but I don't imagine they're in a holiday mood over at Classic Media.