'Claus' coming to TNT

Net gets in the spirit of Christmas

By CHRIS GENNUSA

TNT ushers in the holiday season Sunday with the Whoopi Goldberg comedy "Call Me Claus," featuring new music from Garth Brooks. The Oscar-winning actress stars as a Scrooge-esque home-shopping network producer who inadvertently hires the real Saint Nick for her station's holiday programming.

"I've wanted to be in business with Garth for years; I've been stalking him," jokes Julie Weitz, TNT executive VP, original programming. "His (business) partner originally told me about the project. We made it seven months later."

Peter Werner directs the Christmas laffer.

TNT kicks off early 2002 with "Monday Night Mayhem," a behind-the-scenes peek at late, legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell. John Turturro portrays the former voice of "Monday Night Football" for helmer Ernest Dickerson.