Coming Up

Linda Hardesty

Disney Channel, the home of all things Lizzie McGuire, has had great success with tween girls. In the network's new movie, it's a boy's world. Airing Jan. 10, You Wish! features a 16-year-old who thinks his little brother is ruining his life. As can only happen in the movies, a magic coin grants his wish to be an only child, and quick as you can say It's a Wonderful Life, his parents have more money, he's the star quarterback and his girlfriend is the head cheerleader. It takes getting used to, but he misses his unpopular friends and his nuisance of a brother and works to reclaim his old life. Will boys bite? Hey, Disney: I think we need a few more bike chases and explosions.

You can never have too many Westerns if you're a cable network, and Hallmark Channel comes out of the chute in 2003 with The Last Cowboy, which premieres on Jan. 17. It's the story of a contemporary ranch family brought together by the death of the patriarch of the Dry Creek Ranch. He's left half the spread to his son and half to his son's daughter. Of course, the two haven't spoken since her mother's death, but they must get together to stave off plans to slice up the ranch into small pieces. Nevertheless, viewers will be attracted by the warm story, stunning landscapes and solid performances of Jennie Garth and Lance Henricksen.