From ‘Frosty’ to Nigella, holiday viewing for all

updated 3:52 p.m. ET Dec. 6, 2006

LOS ANGELES - The New Year’s Eve TV scene is getting an offbeat party crasher — Garrison Keillor of “Prairie Home Companion” radio fame.

Keillor will escort 2006 out the door with a PBS special from the former longtime Nashville home of the Grand Ole Opry, the show that inspired his own homespun-with-a-twist public radio broadcast.

There are other holiday newcomers — among them John Goodman as Santa Claus and Janice Dickinson bringing her own brand of Christmas cheer — but viewers can once again find comfort and joy in such stalwarts as the Grinch and James “It’s a Wonderful Life” Stewart.

Among the program highlights (all times EST; check local listings for encore airings):

Animation

• “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, CBS. The 1964 special in which Rudolph and buddies Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Misfit Toys rescue Christmas. And then there’s the magic of Burl Ives’ voice.
• “Frosty the Snowman,” 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, CBS. Jimmy Durante is the narrator as jolly soul Frosty (voice by Jackie Vernon) takes centerstage.
• “Frosty Returns,” 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, CBS. John Goodman does the voice honors as Frosty and Jonathan Winters narrates the snowman’s further adventures.
• Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn’t Happen,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, ABC. Rusty Reindeer is on an identity hunt and Santa’s “Nice ’N Naughty O’Matic” is down, imperiling his annual giveaway. Fred Savage, Fred Willard and Gladys Knight are among the voices.
• “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, ABC. This version of Theodore Geisel’s tale of the hostile Grinch vs. Whoville marks its 40th anniversary. Boris Karloff narrates and voices the role of the Grinch.
• “I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!”, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, ABC. Snoopy’s holiday plans mean that his brother, Spike, may have to step in to keep ReRun company during Christmas vacation.

Movies

• “The Polar Express,” 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, ABC Family. The animated version of the story about a boy who takes the train ride of a lifetime. Tom Hanks voices the conductor.
• “Santa Baby,” 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, ABC Family. Jenny McCarthy plays a hard-driving executive who comes home to help out her ailing dad, Santa Claus (George Wendt), in the family business.
• “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, NBC. John Goodman stars as a downcast Santa who feels he’s lost popular support. Can he and a child help each other believe again? Delta Burke, Harvey Fierstein, Carol Kane and Michael McKean co-star.
• “A Christmas Wedding,” 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, Lifetime. Eric Mabius of “Ugly Betty” and Sarah Paulson of “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” star in the tale of Yuletide wedding plans gone awry.
• “Elf,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, CBS. Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen star about a North Pole-raised man who hunts for his roots in New York.
• “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, NBC. The holiday fable reaches a landmark: It’s been 60 years since James Stewart and Donna Reed first reminded audiences about what’s important in life. With optional narration by former President George Bush for the visually impaired.
• “Christmas Do-Over,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, ABC Family. A man has the chance to change his past by reliving a difficult Christmas. Jay Mohr and Daphne Zuniga star.
• “The Road to Christmas,” 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, Lifetime. Jennifer Grey stars as a photographer who’s not sure she has the right fiance in the frame.
• “A Perfect Day,” 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, TNT. A first-time novelist’s success threatens his relationship with his wife and daughter. Rob Lowe, Paget Brewster, Frances Conroy and Christopher Lloyd star.
• “Meet the Santas,” 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, Hallmark Channel. In the sequel to “Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus,” Nick Claus (Steve Guttenberg) and Beth (Crystal Bernard) plan their Christmas Eve wedding.
• “Miracle on 34th Street” marathon, noon Sunday, Dec. 24, AMC. The 1947 film starring Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood airs through Christmas morning, with the original black-and-white alternating with a colorized version.
• “A Very Married Christmas,” 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, CBS. A man finds his life and marriage falling apart during the holidays. Joe Mantegna, Jean Smart and Charles Durning star.
• “The Christmas Card,” 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25, Hallmark Channel. A soldier (John Newton) wants to say thanks for the touching Christmas card he received in Afghanistan, addressed to “a member of the U.S. Army,” and finds the unexpected.

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