Gannett News Service

What's new

Short Screamers, 10 p.m., AMC.

After weeks of Halloween programming, cable networks wrap it up tonight. One example is this special, which could be part of any holiday gathering for grown-ups. Horror author Clive Barker hosts a half-hour stuffed with tiny films (about a minute each) by amateurs. One woman learns that Beelzebub is a nasty computer pal because he wants to download souls. Another shows why it's bad to hold in a sneeze. One man learns not to misuse a hand puppet and another has a breakfast confrontation with Mrs. Butterworth.

Must-see

Shadow of the Vampire, 9 p.m., A&E. In 1922, German director F.W. Murnau directed Max Schreck in Nosferatu, which became a silent classic. Now this offbeat film fictionalizes that account with John Malkovich starring as the director hell-bent on keeping his star, a very creepy Willem Dafoe, from eating his way through the cast.

Other shows worth watching

Blade, 8 p.m., UPN. Wesley Snipes plays a guy who's only half-vampire and he's determined to stop a vampire who wants world domination.

Joan of Arcadia, 8 p.m., Channels 12, 7. Joan is startled to learn that God wants her to be a cheerleader.

The George Lopez Show, 8 p.m., Channels 9, 2. Laid off from the factory, workers want to raise money for a friend by turning George's home into a haunted house.

Biography, 8 p.m., A&E. This network reruns its profile of author Stephen King.

Hope & Faith, 9 p.m., Channels 9, 2. Faith (Kelly Ripa) falls for a guy, but her sister is suspicious of him.

Third Watch, 10 p.m., Channels 5, 22. This is the show's new slot. Scheduled to start things is an episode in which Sully (Skipp Sudduth) saves a judge, played by Ann-Margret. He's bitter when she then demands he be her bodyguard. Meanwhile, Cruz (Tia Texada), is allowed to go undercover again. She and Monroe (Nia Long) try to expose a sex scam.

Scare Tactics, 10 p.m., Sci Fi. This show, which specializes in scary practical jokes, shows clips of past jokes that worked and several that failed.