Monday, November 19, 2012

2012 Network TV Holiday Specials; CBS Cancels Partners, ABC Cancels 666 Park Avenue and Last Resort

Can you believe the holiday season is nearing? Thanksgiving is this week, which means Christmas is right around the corner! And then it will be 2013 already a week after Christmas. Time flies! Anyway as I mentioned, I have put together our annual network television (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW) holiday specials list that we all like to watch every year like Frosty the Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas, new classics like Shrek the Halls and Disney Prep & Landing 2: Naughty Vs. Nice and we even get some all-new specials like It's a SpongeBob Christmas. Sure the network holiday line-ups are not as detailed as some cable networks like ABC Family, but the main holiday specials are still on network television! These are just actual holiday related specials and movies, not movies or specials airing during the holiday season on broadcast network television, kicking it off Wednesday with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on ABC:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Christmas with Holly

ABC
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 8-9pm: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving/This is America Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers
Thursday, Nov. 22, 8-9pm: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving/This is America Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers ENCORE
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 8-9pm: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated) and Shrek the Halls
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 8-9pm: A Charlie Brown Christmas/Charlie Brown Christmas Tales plus seven-minute short from Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa
Saturday, Dec. 8, 8-10pm ET: ABC Movie of the Week: The Borrowers (NEW!)
Sunday, Dec. 9, 8-9pm: Disney Prep & Landing and Disney Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice
Sunday, Dec. 9, 9-11pm: Hallmark Hall of Fame: Christmas with Holly (NEW!) 
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 8-9pm: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Sunday, Dec. 16, 7-8pm: America's Funniest Home Videos Christmas Spectacular
Sunday, Dec. 16, 8-9pm: Winter Wipeout: Deck the Balls
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 8-9pm: A Charlie Brown Christmas/Charlie Brown Christmas Tales plus seven-minute short from Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa ENCORE
Thursday, Dec. 20, 8-9pm: I Want A Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
Thursday, Dec. 20, 9-11pm: CMA Country Christmas (NEW!)
Saturday, Dec. 22, 8-9pm: Disney Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice ENCORE/A Chipmunk Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 22, 9-11pm: CMA Country Christmas ENCORE
Sunday, Dec. 23, 4-6pm ET/2-4pm PT: CMA Country Christmas ENCORE
Sunday, Dec. 23, 7-11pm: ABC Sunday Movie of the Week: The Sound of Music
Monday, Dec. 24, 8-9pm: Disney Prep & Landing and Shrek the Halls ENCORES
Monday, Dec. 24, 9-11pm: TBD
Tuesday, Dec. 25, 8pm: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated) ENCORE
Tuesday, Dec. 25, 8:30-11pm: ABC Tuesday Movie of the Week: Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Thursday, Dec. 27, 8-9pm: Happy New Year, Charlie Brown/She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown
Sunday, Dec. 30, 4-5pm ET/2-4pm PT: Rudolph's Shiny New Year
Monday, Dec. 31, 8-10pm New Year's Rockin' Eve Celebrates Dick Clark (NEW!)
Monday, Dec. 31, 10-11pm Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013 (NEW!)
Monday, Dec. 31, 11:35pm-2:12am Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013, Parts 1 and 2 (NEW!)
For other non-holiday related movies and specials airing during the holiday season on ABC, view our schedule.

CBS:
Friday, Nov. 23, 8-9pm: Frosty the Snowman and Frosty Returns 
Friday, Nov. 23, 9-10pm: Hoops & Yo-Yo Ruin Christmas and It's a SpongeBob Christmas (NEW!)
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 8-9pm: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Saturday, Dec. 8, 8-9pm: Frosty the Snowman and Frosty Returns ENCORES
Saturday, Dec. 8, 9-10pm: The Flight Before Christmas
Friday, Dec. 14, 8-9pm: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ENCORE
Friday, Dec. 14, 9-10pm: Yes, Virginia There Is A Santa Claus and Elf on a Shelf: An Elf's Story
Saturday, Dec. 15, 8-10pm: CBS Movie: Elf
For other non-holiday related movies and specials airing during the holiday season on CBS, view our schedule.

NBC:
Friday, Nov. 23, 8-10pm: The National Dog Show Presented by Purina (NEW!)
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 8-9pm: Christmas in Rockefeller Center (NEW!)
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 9-11pm: SNL Christmas (NEW!)
Friday, Nov. 30, 8-9pm: Christmas in Rockefeller Center ENCORE
Saturday, Dec. 1, 8-11pm: NBC Movie of the Week: It's a Wonderful Life
Monday, Dec. 3, 10-11pm: Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas (NEW!)
Friday, Dec. 7, 8-10pm: SNL Christmas ENCORE
Monday, Dec. 10, 10-11pm: Michael Buble: Home for the Holidays (NEW!)
Friday, Dec. 14, 8-9pm: Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas ENCORE
Thursday, Dec. 20, 8-9pm: A White House Christmas: First Families Remember (NEW!)
Friday, Dec. 21, 8-9pm: Michael Buble: Home for the Holidays ENCORE
Friday, Dec. 21, 9-10pm: Christmas in the White House ENCORE
Saturday, Dec. 22, 8-9pm Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (50th anniversary airing)
Saturday, Dec. 22, 9-10pm WWE Tribute to the Troops (NEW!)
Monday, Dec. 24, 8-11pm: NBC Movie of the Week: It's a Wonderful Life ENCORE
Monday, Dec. 31, 10-11pm: NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly - Primetime (NEW!)
Monday, Dec. 31, 11:30pm-2am: NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly (NEW!)
For other non-holiday related movies and specials airing during the holiday season on NBC, view our schedule.

Fox:
Friday, Nov. 23 8-9pm: Happiness is Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown
Monday, Dec. 17 8-9pm: Dreamworks Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury (NEW!) and Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas
Monday, Dec. 17 9-10pm: Happiness is Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown ENCORE
Friday, Dec. 28, 8-9pm: Dreamworks Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury and Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas ENCORES
Monday, Dec. 31, 11pm: Fox New Year's Eve Live (NEW!)
For other non-holiday related movies and specials airing during the holiday season on Fox, view our schedule.

The CW:
Friday, Nov. 23 8-10pm: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer and The Happy Elf (NEW! to The CW)
Tuesday, Dec. 11 9-10pm: A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa
Friday, Dec. 14 8-10pm: CW Movie: Prancer Returns (NEW! to The CW)
Tuesday, Dec. 18 8-10pm: CW Movie: It's a Very Muppet Christmas (NEW! to The CW)
Wednesday, Dec. 19 8-10pm: CW Movie: Noel (NEW! to The CW)
Friday, Dec. 21 8-10pm: The Happy Elf and Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer ENCORES
Monday, Dec. 24 8-9:30pm: Christmas Is Here Again (NEW! to The CW)
Monday, Dec. 24 9:30-10pm: Second Star to the Left: A Christmas Tale (NEW! to The CW)
For other non-holiday related movies and specials airing during the holiday season on The CW, view our schedule.


Partners

Three freshman series received the pink slip on Friday. First up, new CBS comedy Partners has been given the ax after 6 episodes. It will be replaced by comedy repeats effective immediately. No word on when the remaining 7 episodes will air, if ever. View the encore schedule in the time period through Dec. 31. It is expected a new series will take over on Jan. 7 whether it is veteran Rules of Engagement or new mid-season comedy Friend Me. Anyway, Partners was about two life-long best friends and business partners whose "bromance" is tested when one of them is engaged to be married.
Meanwhile, also given the cancelation notice on Friday were two ABC drama series--666 Park Avenue and Last Resort. Both series struggled in the ratings, despite critical acclaim for Shawn Ryan's Last Resort and fan support for 666 Park Avenue starring Terry O'Quinn. The good news is that ABC, as of now, plans on airing all 13 episodes for both series. 6 episodes for both series are left to air and ABC plans on airing new episodes of both after the Thanksgiving break is over. Episode 8 of 666 Park Avenue airs Sunday, Nov. 25 and episode 8 of Last Resort airs Thursday, Nov. 29. View our ABC day by day schedule to see all the episode details.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, July 9

Shifting Gears - "Gummies" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley is horrified when she finds weed gummies in Carter’s pocket, prompting surprising advice from Matt. Meanwhile, Eve inadvertently lands Gabriel and Stitch in hot water after asking them to donate to a charity auction.

Shifting Gears - "Kiss" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jimmy returns with a new job and a proposition for Riley and the kids to move into his house, Riley is torn between her past and her future. Meanwhile, Matt's feud with Eve flares up once again after she damages his car.

Abbott Elementary - "Volunteers" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ava announces the school district is sending a group of volunteers to help out at Abbott; however, when they arrive, things don’t go as planned.

Abbott Elementary - "100th Day of School" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
During Abbott’s 100th day of school celebrations, Barbara receives a surprise from her daughter. Melissa, Jacob and Mr. Johnson join forces to conduct a search party.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary" (FXX and FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Months after the Gang visited, Abbott's Principal Ava walks viewers through some of the unseen footage of the Gang's volunteerism and reveals their true intentions.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Frank Is in a Coma" (FXX and FX, 9:33PM ET/PT)
The five stages of grief set in for Dee as Frank lies on his deathbed; the Guys plot their new path forward by pitching their business ventures to Philadelphia's elite.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)

Wednesday, July 9

  • Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Watch Salma on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Cole Escola (Human Resources/Search Party/Mozart in the Jungle/Difficult People) - Cole appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Richie Moriarty (Ghosts), Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts/Duncanville/Disjointed/Animal Practice) and Punam Patel (Ghosts/Return of the Mac/Kevin from Work) - Richie, Betsy and Punam are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • Tika Sumpter (mixed-ish/Final Space/The Game) - Tika sits down with the Tam Fam to talk about her new children's book I Got It From My Mama a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Isabela Merced (100 Things to Do Before High School/Growing Up Fisher) - Isabela chats about her film Superman on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Anna Camp (Perfect Harmony/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/The Mindy Project) and Justin Bartha (The New Normal/Teachers) - Anna and Justin discuss their film Nuked on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) - Simon talks about Peacock's Poker Face on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


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