News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
ABC Family launches '25 Days of Christmas’
Jenny McCarthy
ABC Family is barely letting our Thanksgiving turkey settle before leaping right into its annual “25 Days of Christmas” programming.
The event presents 200 hours of holiday-themed shows, movies and specials, beginning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 1 with “The Year Without Santa Claus.” In the tale, Mrs. Claus reveals how she had to don the red costume and take over for her husband one season.
Among the other highlights for the first week:
“Pixar Short Films,” showcasing 20 animated entries, will debut at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2.
A “Harry Potter” marathon, including the series’ first three films, will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Classic specials such as the stop-action animated comedy “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” chills out at 8 p.m. on Dec. 4. The story revolves around Frosty’s plans to marry -- if Jack Frost doesn’t ruin the wedding.
Later in the month, the channel will present “Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe” starring Jenny McCarthy, Paul Sorvino and Dean McDermott. In the sequel, McCarthy plays Mary Class, who is secretly Santa’s business-minded daughter. She tries to balance a busy career, a social life and the meaning of family during Christmas.
“Santa Baby 2” premieres at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Other highlights for the week of Nov. 29 to Dec. 5:
“2009 Soul Train Awards” (10 p.m., BET). Terrence Howard is a co-host of the event, with Toni Braxton and Boyz II Men performing.
“Smokey Robinson Tribute on Ice” (9 p.m., Hallmark Channel). Smokey Robinson’s smooth-as-glass music is the background for figure skaters to work their magic.
“Intervention” (10 p.m., A&E Channel). The eighth-season opener follows Linda, who gets caught up taking a painkiller that is much stronger than morphine.
“Scrubs” (9 p.m., ABC). The comedy returns for a new season, with new characters and a new format: the setting is a medical school.
“The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” (10 p.m., CBS). The special features 10 finalists who are competing to trod the catwalk with Heidi Klum.
“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (8 p.m., NBC). Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin and Barry Manilow are among the performers slated to rock around the colorful tree in New York City.
“12 Men of Christmas” (10 p.m., Lifetime). Kristin Chenoweth plays a down-on-her-luck public-relations pro who tries her skills on a small Montana town.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: