(December
20th, 2007 - Editor) The networks
are all recognizing the holiday season, but each of them is doing so
in a way that is different from the other. In primetime, ABC has been
the clear leader in both quality and quantity of holiday specials. Not
everything they are offering is a holiday themed show, but on sheer
effort, ABC is the clear winner among the networks in holiday
specials. If you are counting. And I'm sure they are, even if you're
not. A close second place has to go to CBS. The Tiffany Network came
close, but didn't manage to deliver the depth this year. The top two
were miles ahead of the rest of the field.
But there were a few offerings by the rest of the networks that
might be worth a look. Here's a lineup of what is coming to the small
screen for the holiday week.
ABC has been the network
to watch this season. From Thanksgiving through to Christmas Day, the
network has been working hard to attract the family audience with many
more holiday themed titles and other special events than the
competition during the holiday season. This week the special events
continue, starting on Saturday, December 22nd, with the movie
"Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events", starring
Jim Carrey. On Sunday, December 23rd.the network will offer the holiday comedy
sequel "The Santa Clause 2", starring Tim Allan. Christmas
Eve will see a special presentation of the animated classic "How
The Grinch Stole Christmas". The one hour special will air the
original 1962 half hour special along with additional footage in a
"Making Of" special. Also on Christmas Eve will be the
animated feature film "Magagascar. On Christmas day, the network
starts the festivities with a Christmas Parade In Walt Disney World.
Later in the evening, look for the three hour movie special "The
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl". Once the
big day is over, the network returns to regular programming until
December 30th, when they will offer the classic musical "The
Sound Of Music".
CBS has been combining
traditional animated specials with some great entertainment for the
holidays. In fact some of the more popular titles have made their way
to the network twice. The holiday specials this week start on December
21st with the one hour special A
Home For The Holidays. Performances
by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow, popular
vocalist James Blunt, Pop and R&B star Fergie, sister pop singers
Karmina, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriting legend Carole
King, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer/songwriter John Legend and
Grammy and ACM Award-winning country superstar Reba McEntire.
David Krumholtz ("Numb3rs"), comedian George Lopez and Rene
Russo ("Yours, Mine and Ours") are among the celebrities
presenting inspirational stories about adoption. On Saturday December
22nd the network will air the holiday themed comedy movie
"ELF", starring Will Ferrell. The two hour
special "In God's Name" on December 23rd, and A Christmas
Eve special from the historic Marble Collegiate Church in New York
City will offer a more spiritual recognition of the holidays. Kennedy
Center Honors will celebrate 30 years on Wednesday, December 26th.
Five members of the entertainment community will be honored for their
contribution throughout their careers.
NBC's
holiday programming could have been called "The Network
Tradition". Coverage of the Macy's Parade from New York on
Thanksgiving, was followed by the Westminster Dog Show. Early in
December, there was the annual lighting if the Christmas tree at 30
Rock. A double playing of the holiday classic "It's A Wonderful
Life" completed their holiday programming for the season. The
network suggests they have boosted the holiday spirit by adding
holiday themes to daytime and primetime programming, but other than a
few references to the time of year on the usual daytime dramas, I
didn't see it.
Over at FOX, there's a
line-up of feature films, some with a holiday theme, some without,
being slated over the Christmas holiday week. Spider-Man 2 starts the
run on Sunday, December 23rd, Cheaper By The Dozen follows on Monday,
December 24th, Christmas With The Kranks is next on Wednesday December
26th, Ice Age follows on Thursday, December 27th, and Bruce Almighty
completes the run on Friday, December 27th. It may not be holiday
programming exactly, but it is better than the endless reruns of the
regular season shows.
The CW Network might be
aware of the holiday season, but their programming does not reflect
much holiday spirit. If there was any plans for Christmas themes on
programs and other holiday references, they must have been shelved
when the writers strike was called.
- Editor
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