Television networks tune into tinsel-themed shows

The Hollywood writers' strike may have halted television production, but it hasn't stopped the networks from keeping the holiday spirit on their December schedules.

Viewers will still find traditional fare and specials throughout the month, along with holiday-themed episodes of their favorite series -- minus a few that didn't make it into production before the strike began in early November.

Shows such as ABC's "Boston Legal" and "Dirty Sexy Money," and NBC's "30 Rock," "My Name is Earl" and "Las Vegas," among others, will each feature tinsel-themed episodes.

"There's something about holiday-themed episodes that unites the show with the viewer. It's a rare moment where you take the show out of its fictional world and bring it into the real moment that you're living in," says NBC's series programming chief Erin Gough Wehrenberg.

Turning to specials, PBS offers viewers a wide variety of musical programming, including the jazzy "Red Hot Holiday Stomp" on Monday with Wynton Marsalis and traditional tunes with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Dec. 19, while NBC is replaying its "Saturday Night Live" Christmas compilation on Dec. 13.

Other specials include CBS' ninth edition of its "A Home for the Holidays" on Dec. 21, featuring stories about adoption. Says CBS executive Jack Sussman: "We've done the show for so long now, we're actually telling stories about people who watched the show a few years ago, and were so moved by what they saw that they now have a bigger family as a result of adopting children. It's a great way to take the power of television and use it to affect change in a very positive way."

While holiday-themed movies of the week have been on the wane on the broadcast networks, the Hallmark Channel continues the tradition with four new films, including "A Grandpa for Christmas," airing throughout December and starring 90-year-old Ernest Borgnine. Premiering Saturday on Hallmark is "The Note," starring Genie Francis.

While newer programming may tune viewers into today's holiday world, audiences still embrace traditional holiday specials -- some of which have been airing for 40 years -- as well as classic Christmas theatrical films.

"People view them almost by appointment," says CBS' Sussman. "They want to be part of it because they were a part of it as a child with their parents, and they want to share that experience with their kids."

ABC has already aired the 1965 favorite "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and plans another Peanuts special, "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown" from 1993, on Monday.

NBC brings back the 1946 Frank Capra classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" (Dec. 14 and Dec. 24), while CBS offers the return of older TV specials, "Frosty the Snowman" (Friday) and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Tuesday), both from the 1960s.

"The message in these shows is universal. It transcends religion or age," says Sussman. "And they give you a sense of hope and confidence that life is good. And in today's world, that's a great message to hear."

Holiday programming is in full swing. Here is a list of highlights -- just check listings for changes in times:

Animation

• "Frosty the Snowman," 7 p.m. Friday, CBS. Jimmy Durante narrates the story of that "jolly happy soul."

• "Frosty Returns," 7:30 p.m. Friday, CBS. John Goodman stars as Frosty, with Jonathan Winters narrating.

• "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown" 7 p.m. Monday, ABC. The 1993 Peanuts Christmas special centers on the antics of Snoopy.

• "Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too!" 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, ABC. The 1991 special finds Pooh and Piglet playing Santa with comical results.

Movies

• "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 7 p.m. Saturday, ABC. Ron Howard's 2000 live-action version, starring Jim Carrey.

• "The Note," 9 p.m., Saturday, with encore airings, The Hallmark Channel. Genie Francis stars as a newspaper columnist who finds a note written by a passenger in his last moments aboard a doomed airliner, and is determined to locate its intended recipient.

• "White Christmas," 8 p.m., Monday, MyNetworkTV. From 1954, the Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye duo bring song and dance to a struggling Vermont inn.

• "Miracle on 34th Street," 7 p.m., Tuesday, MyNetworkTV. Jane Alexander and Roddy McDowell star in this 1973 remake of holiday classic about a little girl who learns to believe that a department store Santa might just be the real thing.

• "An All Dogs Christmas Carol," 7 p.m., Dec. 13, MyNetworkTV. Steven Weber and Dom DeLuise reprise their roles from "All Dogs Go to Heaven" to try to save the holiday from an evil spirit.

• "It's a Wonderful Life," 7 p.m. Dec. 14, NBC, with a Dec. 24, encore. Frank Capra's 1946 classic starring Jimmy Stewart as a man who gets a look at life if he hadn't been around.

• "A Christmas Story," 24 hours, beginning 7 p.m., TBS. Usual marathon broadcast of 1983 feature starring Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley and Melinda Dillon, about a boy who ... just wants a BB gun for Christmas.

• "A Grandpa For Christmas," premiered Nov. 24 with encore airings through December, The Hallmark Channel. Ernest Borgnine and Juliette Goglia star as a grandfather and granddaughter who finally meet and learn to accept each other.

Specials

• "Red Hot Holiday Stomp," 7 p.m., Monday, PBS. Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis rings in the season with music, storytelling and special guests.

• "Saturday Night Live" Christmas compilation, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13, NBC. Compilation of holiday-themed sketches from the show's 30-year history.

• "Christmas in Washington," 9 p.m. Wednesday, TNT. Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw host the annual presentation of popular recording artists performing for the President and First Lady.

• "Clash of the Choirs," 7 p.m., Dec. 17-20, NBC. Music stars Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly Rowland and Blake Shelton return to their hometowns to put together amateur choirs to compete over four nights.

• "Christmas with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Sissel," 8 p.m. Dec. 19, PBS, with a Dec. 24 encore. The renowned choir is joined by the singing star, performing both traditional Christmas songs and Norwegian folk tunes.

• "9th Annual A Home for the Holidays," 7 p.m. Dec. 21, CBS. True stories about adoption, featuring performances by Sheryl Crow, James Blunt, Carole King, Fergie, Reba McEntire and others.

• "Elmo's Christmas Countdown," 6 p.m. Dec. 23, ABC. Star-studded special finds Muppet Elmo counting down the days to Christmas with his "Sesame Street' friends. Musical numbers by Brad Paisley, Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Hudson and others.

• "Nature: Christmas in Yellowstone," 7 p.m. Dec. 23, PBS. The breathtaking winter world of Yellowstone is the focus of this holiday edition of the acclaimed PBS series.

• "Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade," 9 a.m. Dec. 25, ABC. Regis and Kelly host the annual parade from Florida, while Ryan Seacrest brings the best from Disneyland.