Screen Time

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Monday at 8 p.m. on (CBS-12) Lily and Marshall (Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel) re- ceive shocking news that has a profound impact on the gang, forcing all of them to examine their lives. Ted (Josh Radnor) begins his duties as best man for an old friend’s (Chris Romanski) wedding, while Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) discovers the joy of Christmas giving in the new episode “False Positive.” PSYCH Wednesday at 9 p.m. on (USA) You know how it works: This time of year, if a series doesn’t put a character into a “Christmas Carol” scenario, he gets the “It’s a Wonderful Life” treatment. In this new episode, it’s Henry (Corbin Bernsen), who finds himself wondering how his life would have turned out if he’d never come back to Santa Barbara. James Roday and Dule Hill also star in “The Polarizing Express.” SUPERNANNY Friday at 8 p.m. on (ABC-7) WISHFUL DRINKING Sunday at 9 p.m. on (HBO) After being on an extended bender, most people just wake up with a crushing hangover, but actress Carrie Fisher has spun her early years of dysfunction and substance abuse into a new career as a sober Dorothy Parker for her generation. In this adaptation of her hit one-woman show, the former Princess Leia of “Star Wars” talks about that blockbuster movie series, her addiction, marriage and other life experiences. Jo heads down to Kissimmee, Fla., in a bid to help former high-school sweethearts Jerald and Marla Fernandez, whose relationship is in serious trouble, largely due to their inability to control their three children: defiant 12- year-old Desiree and their ready-for-a-fight sons Elias, 5, and Eulisis, 3. BURN NOTICE Thursday at 10 p.m. on (USA) Michael’s (Jeffrey Donovan) actions put him in the sights of a tactical assault team as the fourth season of the action-packed drama series draws to a close. Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell and Sharon Gless also star in the appropriately titled “The Last Stand.” PARIS MOVIES “An American in Paris” “An American in Paris” (1951) Gene Kelly. Leslie Caron. Gershwin songs. What’s not to love? Kelly and Caron are magical together as an American artist and the young Frenchwoman who steals his heart away from the wealthy heiress (Nina Foch) who’s supporting his career. The dance sequences — including the stunning 18-minute ballet that climaxes the story — are some of the best that Hollywood ever produced. “April in Paris” (1952) Doris Day plays a bit against type as a showgirl, appropriately nicknamed Dynamite, who receives an invitation intended for actress Ethel Barrymore to represent the American theater at a French 2 select TV arts festival. Ray Bolger — best known as the Scarecrow from “The Wizard of Oz” — plays the State Department flunky who caused the mix-up and ends up accompanying Dynamite to Paris — after marrying her on the trip over. And yes, the title song by Vernon Duke and E.Y. Harburg (the “Wizard” lyricist) makes an appearance. Debra Winger and Billy Crystal “Last Tango in Paris” (1972) Definitely not everyone’s cup of cafe au lait, this tale of a torrid affair between a middle-aged American widower and a young, engaged Frenchwoman (Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider) is at times disturbing to watch, but director Bernardo Bertolucci’s artful touch keeps it from sinking to the level of sheer porn. In other words, although the duo’s relationship is strictly about sex, the movie isn’t. And Brando is ... well, Brando. Daily News BY BEVERLY FOSTER SEINBER “Forget Paris” (1995) Forget Sally. A romantic comedy for people who think they don’t like romantic comedies, this little charmer stars Billy Crystal and Debra Winger as a couple who meet in France — he’s there to bury his father, and she works for the airline he flies in on — but have trouble keeping the spark alive stateside. The script, co-written by Crystal, pops with memorable one-liners and funny moments. “An American Werewolf in Paris” (1997) Released 16 years after the campy cult classic “An American Werewolf in London,” this follow-up moves the action to the City of Lights, where an American extreme sports aficionado (Tom Everett Scott) stops a young woman (Julie Delpy) from jumping off the Eiffel Tower. Lycanthropy ensues. Tom Everett Scott and Julie Delpy December 11 - 17, 2010

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