When it comes to talent, the public's taste can be fickle and undiscerning, but in affairs of the heart, it is unwavering in its curiosity. Lucky for ABC and what wonderful timing for its Christmas confection airing on Wednesday at 9 p.m. starring the make-up-break-up couple of the moment, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey.
   As all Americans who stand in check-out lines are now well aware, the dynamic love duo are on all the tab covers, amid unending speculation of their breakup, along with heartfelt if not overly convincing denials.
   Will they make it through this or not? America cares.
  And that means America will likely tune in Wednesday night in even greater numbers than it did last spring when ABC, then still a struggling network, aired the “Nick & Jessica Variety Hour." That special, on April 11, took the night among adults 18-49, in what was then a rare win, averaging an impressive 11.4 million viewers and a 3.9 rating and 11 share.
  Wednesday's special should easily best that. The only issue is by how much. ABC’s Omaha, Neb., affiliate, KETV, has projected a 9.8/15 for households based on last year’s ratings.
    How the world has changed since spring for ABC and for Jessica and Nick--and how interesting that Wednesday's special was scheduled so many months ago. 
   That was well before rumors of a divorce began flying, before comedy pilots shot separately by Simpson and Lachey bombed, and before sister Ashlee got called out for lip-lynching on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
   Wednesday's one-hour show, titled “Nick and Jessica’s Family Christmas,” follows in a long tradition of TV Christmas specials starring musical talents, some more genuine than others, including Andy Williams, through the decades. The theme is invariably schmaltz around the Yule log, and the duo's special will not depart.
    Consider the event a reunion of sorts. The allegedly estranged couple will perform a series of love-themed skits. Jessica will sing tunes from her just-released Christmas album, “ReJoyce: The Christmas Album,” including a duet with her now arguably more  successful sister Ashlee, and a duet with Nick. Thirty-five members of the couple’s family will sing “Silent Night.” Nick will reunite with 98 Degrees to sing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” And we'll hear the voice of the late Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas.”
   To ABC's great advantage the show will occupy “The Bachelor’s” old time slot and lead out of the very hot "Lost." While "Bachelor” had been in fast-fade, its finale last Wednesday has left the berth still quite warm, with the show coming in at No. 2 behind NBC’s “West Wing” with 6.8/11 among 18-49s versus a 7.5/13. "Lost” averaged a 6.8 18-49 rating for the week ended Nov. 14.