Set your VCR's

[pojo]

With the Grinch, Charlie Brown and Jimmy Stewart, holiday fare on the tube is warm and familiar



The Associated Press

It will be another ho-ho-humdrum holiday television season, just as it should be.

Reruns draw praise, not complaints, at this time of year. Give us Clarence the angel. Again. Give us Frosty the Snowman. Again. Give us Bing crooning “White Christmas” — or explain why not.

Warm, fuzzy and familiar is the way we like our holiday programming, and networks and cable channels aim to please.

There is fresh fare for adventurous types, including movies and music specials. Could a new classic be among them?

The highlights:

ANIMATION:

“Frosty the Snowman,” 7 p.m. Friday, CBS. Jimmy Durante narrates the tale of the heroic snowman pursued by evil Professor Hinkle on a North Pole rescue mission. Followed at 8:30 by “Frosty Returns,” with John Goodman as Frosty and narrated by Jonathan Winters.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, ABC. Charlie Brown returns to uncover the meaning of Christmas with help from Linus in this evergreen 1965 Peanuts special.

n Rankin Bass marathons, 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, to midnight, and 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, ABC Family. “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” are included in this Rankin Bass Productions gift bag.

“Nuttiest Nutcracker,” 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, ABC Family. In a twist on the nutcracker fable, heroic vegetables must save the star atop the Christmas tree from a real rat. Voices by James Belushi, Phyllis Diller and Cheech Marin.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, CBS. One memorable song and a socially challenged reindeer add up to a classic special narrated by Burl Ives.

“I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, ABC. A new hourlong show from the same team that produced and animated other classic “Peanuts” specials.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, WB. The goofy tale about young Jake Spankenheimer’s quest to find his missing grandmother and prove that Santa is real.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, WB. Boris Karloff provided the narration and the Grinch’s voice in this 1966 adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ tale about beleaguered Whoville.

“A Scooby Doo Christmas,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, WB. The Scooby gang discovers Christmas is amiss in Winter Hollow, where strangers are unwelcome and a ghostly snowman destroys homes and good cheer.

“Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of Fire,” 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, CBS. Ben Stiller, Hugh Grant, Britney Spears and Jerry Stiller are among the voices in the tale of an ambitious reindeer. “Robbie the Reindeer: Legend of the Lost Tribe” follows at 7:30 p.m.

“Christmas Carol: The Movie,” 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, ABC Family. Nicolas Cage is the voice of Jacob Marley and Kate Winslet is Belle in this version of the classic Charles Dickens’ tale.

MOVIES:

“Comfort and Joy,” 7 p.m. Monday, Lifetime. An ambitious woman (Nancy McKeon) is knocked out on Christmas Eve and wakes up to find she’s acquired a husband and children. Steven Eckholdt, Dixie Carter co-star.

“It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, NBC. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy share personal space with Whoopi Goldberg and Joan Cusack in a cameo-filled homage to holiday films.

“The Wizard of Oz,” 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, WB. The holiday connection may be tenuous, but who can complain about hearing Judy Garland sing about the rainbow one more time?

“Picking Up and Dropping Off,” 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, ABC Family. Scott Wolf is a divorced dad and Amanda Detmer is a recently separated mom destined for an airport meeting while chauffeuring their children.

“Undercover Christmas,” 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, CBS. An FBI agent assigned to protect a cocktail waitress brings her home to meet the soon-to-be-aghast folks. Jami Gertz, Shawn Christian and Tyne Daly star.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, NBC. The third installment in the National Lampoon film series features the Griswolds (Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo) in holiday madness.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, NBC. We know the drill — James Stewart, Donna Reed, Clarence and a life-changing epiphany — and love Frank Capra’s 1946 classic because of that. It airs again 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24.

“Secret Santa,” 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, NBC. Jennie Garth stars as a cynical journalist whose search for a philanthropist helps her learn the meaning of Christmas. Steven Eckholdt co-stars.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, NBC. Randy Quaid is back as cousin Eddie in a new TV movie, this time wreaking havoc in the South Seas.

“The Santa Clause,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, ABC. Tim Allen and Wendy Crewson star in the tale of an ad executive who makes a sudden career change when Santa takes a rooftop tumble.

“The Christmas Shoes,” 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, CBS. A workaholic lawyer (Rob Lowe) learns the meaning of love, life and the holidays from a young boy. Kimberly Williams co-stars.

"A Christmas Story,” 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, TNT. The 1983 movie will repeat for 24 hours straight, allowing fans of this boy’s-eyeview of Christmas and BB guns to shamefully overindulge.

“Holiday Inn,” 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, TCM. Bing Crosby dreams of a snow-covered Christmas and Fred Astaire dances. Enough said.

STOCKING STUFFERS:

“Christmas in Rockefeller Center,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, NBC. The tree’s the star but it has a big supporting cast that includes Ashanti, Enrique Iglesias and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

“Holiday Ice Dreams,” 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, A&E. Olympic gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva shows off the skills of her daughter, Daria, in a show that also includes Oksana Baiul and Paul Wylie.

“Celine Dion: One Year — One Heart,” 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, ABC Family. The singer relives a year that included three albums and a move to Las Vegas through interviews, songs and a glimpse of her holiday home life.

“Barry Manilow Christmas: Live by Request,” 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, A&E. Joined by a band, an orchestra and guests including Cyndi Lauper, Manilow takes song requests from viewers.

“Holiday at Pops!” 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, A&E. Joan Lunden is the host of the annual concert with the Boston Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart. Amy Grant and Vince Gill sing solo and together.

“The White House Christmas 2003,” 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, HGTV. An inside look with decorators, staffers and first lady Laura Bush at how the president’s home is dressed up for the holidays.

“Crazy for Christmas,” 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, HGTV. Visit the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School and a plant where wrapping paper is made in a celebration of holiday fanatics.

“A Home for the Holidays,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, CBS. Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Mya and Vince Gill are among the celebrities presenting inspirational stories about adoption.

“Jesus: The Complete Story,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 25, Discovery Channel. A three-part series relying on the latest scientific and historical research to relate the life of Jesus.

Compiled by Lynn Elber, AP television writer

[Guest]

Thanks for posting this Shannon. I like to take some down time during the holidays and watch these classics......Been watching them for 30+years now...its a tradition.

[TexasStooge]

Thanks for the notice Shannon.

[JCT777]

Great list of Christmas shows/movies/specials. Although I would love to know if any station is showing "The Year Without A Santa Claus". Gotta love the snow miser and the heat miser!

[Miss Mary]

Shannon - thanks for posting that list! I just may copy, paste and print it!!!

That was a nice thing to do for the rest of us.

Mary

[Suzi Q]

Ok, there is something so wrong with having Charlie Brown and Rudolph on BOTH AT THE SAME TIME!!!!! I mean, yes, I do have both on tape, but it's just more Christmassy to watch it on TV, as opposed to putting the tape in. Oh my, the despair. Now I just have to figure out which one I'm gonna choose. Bummer. :bcry:

[ColdFront77]

Please note: The times above are Central Time.

Not only are "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on at the same time,
but CBS used to own "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

[pojo]

Tom is correct....the times are Central Time....its coming from Wisconsin...what else could you expect?

[Miss Mary]

Tom is correct....the times are Central Time....its coming from Wisconsin...what else could you expect?

Shannon - I figured as much and was going to check my local listings to be sure.

Mary

[wx247]

I love Charlie Brown's Christmas Special. But I am sad that the Garfield Christmas Special isn't on the list this year. I loved that one!

[chadtm80]

Alright!!! Thanks for posting that.. Its a Tradition. You just GOT to watch em every year Its what makes the Holidays

[ColdFront77]

Please note: The times above are Central Time.

Tom is correct....the times are Central Time....its coming from Wisconsin...what else could you expect?

I figured this was coming from Wisconsin.

It is obvious looking at TV schedules, (as I enjoy doing, rather than actually watching televison programs), that programs are on at certain times because of the difference.

[GalvestonDuck]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... 237350.jpg

Ralphie, 20 years later

[stormy]

thanks for the information. ticka i have been watching it for a long time too, but a few more years.

[Lindaloo]

I am watching Rudolph tonight. Good ole' Burl Ives.