SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

This holiday season, Turner's TBS & TNT are going to turn the Christmas spirit on full blast with SURPRISE! Instant Xmas Carol, an all-new music special that puts a unique twist on the caroling tradition. The one-hour special – featuring such celebrity carolers as Conan O'Brien, Rashida Jones, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Jane Lynch, Ludacris, Kenny G, Tony Sirico, Vincent Curatola, Joseph Gannascoli, A$AP Ferg, Three Loco, Samantha Ronson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Fred Willard, T-Pain and many surprise appearances – is set to premiere on TBS on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). And the night before Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT), TBS & TNT will join forces for a simulcast of SURPRISE! Instant Xmas Carol. It will be followed by TBS & TNT's simulcast of the annual 24 Hours of A Christmas Story marathon, celebrating its 20th year as one of television's most enduring holiday traditions.

The 20th annual 24 Hours of A Christmas Story airs Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on TBS & TNT. The movie at the center of the marathon is based on the short stories of famed humorist Jean Shepherd, who provided the movie's voice-over narration. A Christmas Story follows the mischievous adventures of a young boy who longs for a special Christmas gift – a Red Ryder BB gun. Peter Billingsley stars as young Ralphie, who is determined to convince the world that he is responsible enough to handle such a gift, despite everyone telling him, "You'll shoot your eye out." Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin are pitch-perfect as Ralphie's parents, and Ian Petrella provides some of the movie's funniest moments as Ralphie's little brother, Randy.

TBS & TNT's slate of holiday-related programming also includes the animated classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas on TBS (Dec. 10) and TNT (Dec. 14); a "Festivus" marathon of Seinfeld episodes on TBS (Dec. 9); A Christmas Carol, starring Patrick Stewart, on TNT (Dec. 19); and several opportunities to enjoy the family favorite The Wizard of Oz TNT (Dec. 12 & Dec. 14).

Late-night talk show host, producer and comedian Jimmy Kimmel confirmed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he will host the 89th Oscars(R) to be broadcast live on Oscar(R) Sunday, February 26, 2017, on the ABC Television Network. This is Kimmel's first time hosting the global telecast. "Mike and Jennifer have an excellent plan and their enthusiasm is infectious," said Kimmel. "I am honored to have been chosen to host the 89th and final Oscars." Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of the Emmy(R)-winning Jimmy Kimmel Live! ABC's longest running late-night talk show. Now in its 14th season, JKL has earned six Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Variety Series Talk category, the Writing for a Variety Series category, and the Variety, Music or Comedy Series category. The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre(R) at Hollywood & Highland Center(R) in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.