Chicken soup, Scientology and a holiday 'Ally McBeal'

Thirty million chicken soup fans can't be all wrong. Based on the premise the wholesome and occasionally hokey stories have a curative effect, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" (9 p.m., PAX) presents short vignettes from the best-selling book series. The first installment of this feel-good anthology features Jack Lemmon as a pet-store owner who balks at the idea of selling a lame puppy to a small boy until he notices that the boy is wearing a leg brace, and seems to have something in common with the dog. You get the picture. If these small and obvious spoonfuls of inspiration make your cup of soup, go ahead, indulge yourself. Other stories feature Martin Sheen, Charles Durning, Meredith Baxter, Paula Abdul and Stephanie Zimbalist. Leeza Gibbons is your host and spiritual guide.

Speaking of celebrity-endorsed spirituality, there's "Inside Scientology," a two-hour presentation of "Investigative Reports with Bill Kurtis" (9 p.m., A&E). Based on the writings of former science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology has known controversy for most of its five-decade existence. Numerous lawsuits against writers and publishers and well-documented struggles with the IRS have kept the church in the headlines. More recently, Florida prosecutors have filed charges against the church in connection with the 1995 death of a church member. The documentary includes a rare interview with reclusive spiritual leader David Miscavige as well as former and current church members including Hollywood stars John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.

On tonight's Christmas-themed "Ally McBeal" (9 p.m., Fox, TV-14, D, S), Ally and Billy share a client, a secret and holiday cheer. Fantasy intrudes on the festivities when the firm's biggest client (Mark Linn-Baker) is fired after he claims to have seen a unicorn. This show is just too clever, cute and self-consciously smug.

Tonight's other highlights

The San Francisco 49ers host the Detroit Lions on "Monday Night Football" (8 p.m., ABC).

The handsome, tortured star Montgomery Clift is profiled on "Biography" (8 p.m., A&E, TV-G).

Ray is appalled to discover that his parents traded in a personalized gift from Debra and the kids for a high-tech coffee maker on "Everybody Loves Raymond" (9 p.m., CBS, TV-PG, L).

Tim donates bone marrow and Roger gets reacquainted with an old flame (Patricia Wettig, actor Ken Olin's wife and fellow "thirtysomething" cast member) on "L.A. Doctors" (10 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).

Scheduled on "Dateline" (10 p.m., NBC): a report on the pitfalls of liposuction.

Stanley Tucci stars in the stylish, if incomplete, cable biography "Winchell" (10 p.m., HBO, TV-MA).

Andrea Bocelli and Rosie O'Donnell join Celine Dion as she sings songs of the season, as well as some of her big hits, in the rebroadcast of "Celine Dion: These Are Special Times" (10 p.m., VH1).

Late night

Actor Robin Williams and singer Natalie Merchant appear on "Late Show With David Letterman" (11:35 p.m., CBS) ... Actresses Sarah Michelle Gellar and Helena Bonham Carter, and singer Shawn Colvin are Jay Leno's guests on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC) ... Bill Maher hosts actress Annie Potts, actor Robert Conrad, Carole Montgomery and Michael LaFavore on "Politically Incorrect" (12:05 a.m., ABC) ... Actor George Hamilton is scheduled on "The Late, Late Show With Tom Snyder" (12:35 a.m., CBS). "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" is a repeat.