Because TV isn't "counting the house" this week -- ratings don't matter much until after the New Year -- the networks can put on programming with high ambitions but relatively low ratings potential. They can -- and tonight, some of them even do.
* "TV Nation: Year-in-Review Special" (8-9 p.m., Channel 4) -- Great news for "TV Nation" fans: This isn't a collection of old "TV Nation" clips. Bad news for some: It's blacked out on Channel 2.
It's an all-new special looking back on what, by any yardstick, was a rather amazing year. And when the yardstick is in the hand of the wickedly warped Michael Moore, you can bet he'll take the year's full measure. Part of the fun: complimentary "TV Nation" limousine Jacuzzi rides for "the least understood, most despised people in the United States." Smokers, devil worshipers, those sorts of people. NBC.
* "Metropolitan Opera Presents" (8-10:30 p.m., Channels 22, 67) -- Two one-act operas, taped on opening night of New York's Metropolitan Opera in September, showcase the biggest windpipes in the opera biz. In Puccini's "Il Tabarro," Teresa Stratas and Placido Domingo star; in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," Luciano Pavarotti stars, along with Stratas again. Which means that on this special, two famous tenors are orbiting in Stratas' sphere. PBS.
* "Beverly Hills, 90210" (8-9 p.m., Channel 45) -- This is a repeat of the 1994 season opener -- the first entry in the post-Brenda era. Fox.
* "17th Annual Kennedy Center Honors" (9-11 p.m., Channel 11) -- Last year, this annual salute to a quintet of artists was the year's best performing-arts special. Unless something better comes along in the next three days, it'll grab the same honor this year. Hal Prince, Aretha Franklin, Morton Gould, Kirk Douglas and Pete Seeger are the 1994 honorees -- and the tribute to Seeger, the last of the five, is the emotional highlight. CBS.
* "Party of Five" (9-10 p.m., Channel 45) -- Fox finally makes its move, taking a repeat of the new youth-appeal drama "Party of Five" and pairing it with its veteran youth-appeal drama, "Beverly Hills, 90210." Fox.
Cable
* "Monty Python's Life of Brian" (8-10 p.m., COM) -- As the song says: Always look on the bright side of life . . .