Star-Filled ‘Home for the Holidays’ Celebrates Adoption

Part musical, part public service message, tonight’s sentimental CBS special “A Home for the Holidays” celebrates adoption with star power supplied by Faith Hill, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ellen DeGeneres and others.

Celebrities introduce segments on children who found “a forever family” with: a single woman in her late 40s; a couple who took in a selfless teenager and her twin brothers; and another couple who invested their love in a brother and sister, the latter becoming this year’s Miss USA, Lynnette Cole.

Afterward, cute kids talk about their dreams and goals in a segment called “A Child Is Waiting.”

Adults choke back tears; adopted youngsters smile and sport a gleam in their eyes. If viewers are moved to the point where they ponder adoption, the one-hour program has done its job, regardless of any well-intentioned prodding the producers employ. And if it means a good environment for kids, who can argue with the positive results?

Certainly not Vanessa Williams, Brian McKnight and the band 98 Degrees, who bring on the holiday harmonies.

* “A Home for the Holidays” airs tonight at 8 on CBS. The network has rated it TV-G (suitable for all ages).