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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

TV plans a blizzard of holiday programs

Chuck Barney Tribune News Service

Deck the halls and rev up the DVR. A veritable blizzard of holiday-themed fare is about to blow into your television sets.

Yes, once again the broadcast networks and cable channels have pieced together a vast lineup of specials, movies and animated treats celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.

To help you get with the program, we’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of the main holiday highlights coming to prime time from now until Christmas. The rundown starts with this year’s fresh fare and is followed by a list of airdates for the perennials. (All times subject to change, check listings.)

New under the tree

Nov. 29

“Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever”: The sour-faced feline bonds with a 12-year-old girl in this festive flick. (8 p.m., Lifetime).

“Christmas Under Wraps”: A film about a doctor (Candace Cameron-Bure) who relocates to Alaska to start a new life. (8 p.m., Hallmark).

Nov. 30

“One Christmas Eve”: Anne Heche stars as a recently divorced mom who wants the “perfect” Christmas for her kids. (8 p.m., Hallmark).

Dec. 1

“CMA Country Christmas”: Jennifer Nettles hosts a holiday hoedown with some of her pals, including Carrie Underwood, Idina Menzel and Hunter Hayes. (8 p.m., ABC).

“Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown”: A holly-jolly celebration of the best seasonal TV ads. (9 p.m., The CW).

Dec. 2

“Toy Story That Time Forgot”: The gang from Pixar, including Buzz and Woody, find themselves pitted against dangerously delusional action figures during the holidays. (8 p.m., ABC).

Dec. 3

“Christmas in Rockefeller Center”: Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles light up the big tree in the Big Apple. (8 p.m., NBC).

“SNL Christmas”: Holiday-themed sketches from 40 years of “Saturday Night Live.” (9 p.m., NBC).

Dec. 4

“Peter Pan Live!”: Allison Williams and Christopher Walken (as Captain Hook) star in the musical about the boy who refuses to grow up. (8 p.m., NBC).

“Renee Fleming – Christmas in New York”: The dynamic soprano and her guests help make the evening bright. (9 p.m., PBS).

Dec. 5

“How Murray Saved Christmas”: An animated tale about a cranky deli owner (voiced by Jerry Stiller) who is forced to fill in for Santa and does a weirdly wonderful job. (8 p.m., NBC).

“A Very Grammy Christmas”: Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Tim McGraw and Pharrell Williams perform. Also: Nominees for album of the year are announced. (9 p.m., CBS).

Dec. 6

“Debbie Macomber’s Mr. Miracle”: An angel (Rob Morrow) helps a grieving woman get her life back on track. (8 p.m., Hallmark).

“Wally Lamb’s Wishin’ and Hopin’ “: Molly Ringwald stars, and Chevy Chase narrates this 1960s-era family holiday saga. (8 p.m., Lifetime).

Dec. 7

Christmas at Cartwright’s”: A down-on-her-luck woman (Alicia Witt) fakes being a guy to get a job as a department store Santa. (8 p.m., Hallmark).

Dec. 8

“The Great Christmas Light Flight”: The Clark Griswolds of the world face off in a home decorating competition. (8 p.m., ABC).

Dec. 13

“Best Christmas Party Ever”: Against major opposition, a young party planner (Torrey DeVitto) arranges a special event for a New York City toy store. (8 p.m., Hallmark).

“The Santa Con”: A small-time con man (Barry Watson) is ordered by his parole officer to take a job as a department store Santa. (8 p.m., Lifetime).

Dec. 14

“The Christmas Parade”: A network TV morning host (AnnaLynne McCord) looks to revive her holiday spirit while helping to build a small town’s parade float. (8 p.m., Hallmark).

Dec. 16

“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas”: An animated saga inspired by the 2003 Will Ferrell movie, with Jim Parsons voicing the title character. (8 p.m., NBC).

“America’s Funniest Home Videos Christmas Spectacular”: Hilarious holiday-themed videos. (9 p.m., ABC).

“A Chef’s Life Holiday Special”: Chef Vivian Howard draws on her Southern heritage and husband’s Hanukkah traditions for a delicious celebration (10 p.m., PBS).

Dec. 17

“Michael Buble’s Christmas in New York”: The popular crooner belts out holiday favorites at Radio City Music Hall. (8 p.m., NBC).

Dec. 18

“The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2014”: Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith, Maroon 5 and more perform in concert at Madison Square Garden. (8 p.m., The CW).

Dec. 19

“A Home for the Holidays”: Celebrities come together to shine the light on foster care adoption. (9 p.m., CBS).

“Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir”: Deborah Voigt and John Rhys-Davies join the musical celebration this year. (9 p.m., PBS).

Dec. 25

“Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration”: Music, magic and merriment from Disney’s two U.S. theme parks. (10 a.m., ABC).

Holiday evergreens

Dates and times for prime-time airings of traditional animated specials and film favorites. (Note: Many programs have multiple repeat airings not posted here. Consult your listings for additional information).

Nov. 28

“Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” (8 p.m., The CW)

“Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special” (8:30 p.m., The CW)

“Frosty the Snowman” (9 p.m., CBS)

“Yes, Virginia” (9:30 p.m., CBS)

“Merry Madagascar” (9:30 p.m., The CW)

Nov. 29

“The Flight Before Christmas” (8 p.m., CBS)

“The Story of Santa Claus” (9 p.m., CBS)

Nov. 30

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (10 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 1

“Elf” (8 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 2

“The Santa Claus” (8 p.m., ABC Family)

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (8:30 p.m., ABC)

Dec. 3

“The Polar Express” (9 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 4

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (9 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 6

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (8 p.m., NBC)

“Arthur Christmas” (9 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 7

“I Love Lucy Christmas Special” (8 p.m., CBS)

Dec. 9

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (8 p.m., CBS)

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (8 p.m., ABC)

“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” (10 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 11

“Scrooged” (9 p.m., ABC Family)

“Holiday Affair” (9:45 p.m., TCM)

Dec. 12

“White Christmas” (7 p.m., AMC)

“Miracle on 34th Street” (9:30 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 13

“Frosty Returns” (9:30 p.m., CBS)

Dec. 15

“The Year Without a Santa Claus” (8 p.m., ABC Family)

Dec. 16

“Disney Prep & Landing” (8 p.m., ABC)

“Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice” (8:30 p.m., ABC)

Dec. 17

“A Christmas Carol,” 1938 (8 p.m., TCM)

“Scrooge,” 1970 (9:15 p.m., TCM)

“Scrooge,” 1935 (11:15 p.m., TCM)

Dec. 19

“Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” (8 p.m., The CW)

Dec. 20

“I Want A Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!” (8 p.m., ABC)

Dec. 23

“Shrek the Halls” (8 p.m., ABC)

Dec. 24

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (8 p.m., NBC)

“A Christmas Story” marathon (8 p.m., TBS; Runs through Christmas)

Dec. 25

“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC)

“The 12 Dogs of Christmas” (8 p.m., The CW)

“Home Alone” (9 p.m., ABC Family)