The Inside Scoop

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door."
- Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Here's an early look at what we're working on for Monday's broadcast:

Tis the season... To sue! Some groups are angry that it's become politically incorrect to use the word "Christmas," and they've assembled teams of lawyers to take up the fight. The story on Monday's CBS Evening News.

If you would like more information on any of these stories or the broadcast, please click on the following address and e-mail us:
evening@cbsnews.com

Dave sits down with actor Jim Carrey…plus, a special performance from musical guest, We Are Scientists!

Hannah Storm, Rene Syler, and Russ Mitchell anchor THE EARLY SHOW from New York. Dave Price brings us the weather. Harry Smith and Julie Chen are off.

Along with the day's top news, we'll also have the following stories:

48 HOURS PREVIEW: 48 HOURS correspondent Maureen Maher journeys to the Holy Land to investigate one of the most powerful and controversial stories ever - the birth of Jesus. 48 HOURS searches for archaeological proof of the Biblical accounts, decodes the messages hidden in the scriptures and examines starkly different versions of Christmas, including some that never made it into the New Testament. Maureen Maher joins us with a preview. 48 HOURS MYSTERY: "The Mystery of Christmas" will be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 20 (10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS.

BARIATRIC SURGERIES INCREASE: There has been dramatic growth in bariatric surgery over the last decade. EARLY SHOW medical contributor Dr. Emily Senay joins us with all the details about bariatric surgery and the risks associated with the surgery.

STOCKING STUFFERS: As we continue our Countdown to Christmas, Constance White, eBay style director, joins us with unique stocking stuffers to fit every budget.

SENIOR CITIZEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Thousands of senior citizens are victims of domestic abuse in this country. It's a highly under-reported crime, often seniors are either too ashamed too scared to speak out. But seniors no longer need to suffer in silence. Nancy Graham, deputy editor of AARP magazine, joins us with some new insights into the problem and offers recommendations for how family and friends can be on alert for signs of domestic violence.

ACTOR HEALTH LEDGER: Heath Ledger has closed out 2005 in a big way, as one of the most acclaimed actors of the year. Not only has he been named best actor from the New York Film Critics, but he's also received two Golden Globe nominations, as best actor in a comedy for Casanova and a drama for the heartbreaking love story, Brokeback Mountain. Heath Ledger joins us to discuss his new films.

MIKE WALLACE: There may be no better way to describe Mike Wallace than "been there and done that". For more than 60-years the hard-hitting CBS News man has interviewed a who's who of the famous and the infamous. Mike Wallace joins us to discuss his new book, Between You and Me, which provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at some of his most memorable conversations.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: If you've been meaning to volunteer for a good cause but just can't find the time, stop feeling guilty. Kris Connell from Real Simple magazine joins us with a variety of ways that you can make a difference in people's lives, without sacrificing hours of your time.

If you would like more information on any of these stories or the broadcast, please click on the following address and e-mail us:
earlyshow@cbs.com

Here's a note on this Tuesday's 48 Hours Mystery from correspondent Maureen Maher:

"This is a very special 48 Hours.

Whether you are Christian or not, you've likely heard the story... there was no room at the inn, the baby Jesus was born in a manger; there were 3 kings, a couple of shepherds, a star, some angels and a few cows and sheep, right?? So what's the mystery??

Did you know that only two of the four Gospels even mention the nativity story? And that those two accounts differ dramatically? Did you know that the three kings, weren't kings at all... and that many New Testament scholars, even those deeply devoted to their faith in God don't believe Jesus was born in Bethlehem? And some don't even think Mary was a virgin at all!!

This show was a fascinating journey and an extraordinary challenge for me both professionally and personally. Having been raised in a Catholic household and attending parochial schools right through a Jesuit University, I was fairly confident that I had a good grasp of the nativity story. I'd even been to Israel several times and visited many of the Holy sites. But I discovered I didn't know the whole story.

We spent months interviewing several of this country's leading theologians and academics. From each of them, we learn something new... and perhaps more importantly, we show that people of different faiths, and of varying degrees of faith can discuss their individual interpretations of the bible respectfully.

Religion is a hot topic in our country and in our world, but it often acts as a great divider: What is it, how is it defined, who has it, how do you get it, what does it mean, how do you practice it, what is your politics on it? But faith is altogether different. Faith can be a great uniter; faith in oneself, in your family, in