What's working ... Jan. 5

1. "Frost/Nixon." For making the case that television is not only more powerful and persuasive than the written word, sometimes it is more articulate.

2. Showtime. Wait until you see "United States of Tara," coming Jan. 18. This channel's on a roll.

3. Craig Ferguson. Conan's getting out of late-late night just in time. The Scottish charmer has caught up to him in the ratings by sweet-talking thousands of older women into going to bed with a tall, handsome stranger.

... AND WHAT'S NOT

1. Viacom's hardball tactics. I'm pretty sure there are better ways to tell the whole world you are negotiating with Time Warner Cable than running an apocalyptic, you-will-lose-your-Nickelodeon crawl on every TV set in America.

2. Screen Actors Guild dysfunction. Will they strike? Maybe -- if the leadership doesn't kill each other first.

3. Bernie Hamilton, RIP. Why do I feel more affection for the guy who played Capt. Dobey on "Starsky & Hutch" than the entire cast of "The Office"?