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List of networks’ holiday viewing

Rundown of movies, specials and perennial favorites

  Television video
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updated 5:11 p.m. ET Dec. 3, 2007

Holiday programming is in full swing, and even with the writer’s strike, the networks have their schedules loaded with specials, movies and other perennial holiday fare. Among the highlights (all times EST, check local listings for encore airings):

Animation
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, CBS. Digitally remastered stop-motion puppetry from Rankin-Bass, starring Burl Ives.

“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, ABC. Fred Astaire narrates this stop-motion classic about Santa (Mickey Rooney) and his elves at work.

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“Frosty the Snowman,” 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, CBS. Jimmy Durante narrates the story of that “jolly happy soul.”

“Frosty Returns,” 8:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 7, CBS. John Goodman stars as Frosty, with Jonathan Winters narrating.

“I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown” 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, ABC. The 1993 Peanuts Christmas special centers on the antics of Snoopy.

“Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too!” 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, ABC. The 1991 Emmy-nominated special finds Pooh and Piglet playing Santa with expectedly comical results.

Movies
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, ABC. Ron Howard’s 2000 live-action version, starring Jim Carrey.

“The Note,” 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, with encore airings, The Hallmark Channel. Genie Francis stars as a newspaper columnist who finds a note written by a passenger in his last moments aboard a doomed airliner, and is determined to locate its intended recipient during Christmastime. Also stars Ted McGinley.

“White Christmas,” 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, MyNetworkTV. From 1954, the Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye duo bring song and dance to a struggling Vermont inn to help out their former Army general.

“Miracle on 34th Street,” 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11, MyNetworkTV. Jane Alexander and Roddy McDowell star in this 1973 remake of holiday classic about a little girl who learns to believe that a department store Santa might just be the real thing.

“An All Dogs Christmas Carol,” 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13, MyNetworkTV. Steven Weber and Dom DeLuise reprise their roles from “All Dogs Go to Heaven” to try to save the holiday from an evil spirit.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, NBC, with a Monday, Dec. 24, encore. Frank Capra’s 1946 classic starring Jimmy Stewart as a man who gets a look at his life if he hadn’t been around. Optional scene description for the visually impaired by former President Bush. The narration is delivered around the film’s original dialogue and available through your TV’s foreign language menu.

“A Christmas Story,” 24 hours, beginning 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 24, TBS. Usual marathon broadcast of 1983 feature starring Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley and Melinda Dillon, about a boy who ... just wants a BB gun for Christmas.

“A Grandpa For Christmas,” premiered Nov. 24 with encore airings through December, The Hallmark Channel. Ernest Borgnine and Juliette Goglia star as a grandfather and granddaughter who finally meet and learn to accept each other.

Specials
“Christmas at the Cathedral,” 9 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4, MyNetworkTV. Comedian George Wallace hosts a celebration of Christmas music with top gospel artists.

“Red Hot Holiday Stomp,” 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, PBS. Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis rings in the season with music, storytelling and special guests.

“Saturday Night Live” Christmas compilation, 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, NBC. Compilation of holiday-themed sketches from the comedy mainstay’s 30-year history.

“Christmas in Washington,” 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, TNT. Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw host the annual presentation of popular recording artists performing for the President and First Lady.

“Clash of the Choirs,” 8 p.m., Monday thru Thursday, Dec. 17-20, NBC. Music stars Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly Rowland and Blake Shelton return to their hometowns to put together amateur choirs to compete over four nights.

“Christmas with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Sissel,” 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, PBS, with a Dec. 24 encore. The renowned choir is joined by the singing star, performing both traditional Christmas songs and Norwegian folk tunes.

“9th Annual A Home for the Holidays,” 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, CBS. True stories about adoption, featuring performances by Sheryl Crow, James Blunt, Carole King, Fergie, Reba McEntire and others.

“Elmo’s Christmas Countdown,” 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, ABC. Star-studded special finds Muppet Elmo counting down the days to Christmas with his “Sesame Street’ friends. Musical numbers by Brad Paisley, Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Hudson and others.

“Nature: Christmas in Yellowstone,” 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, PBS. The breathtaking winter world of Yellowstone is the focus of this holiday edition of the acclaimed PBS series.

“Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade,” 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25, ABC. Regis and Kelly host the annual parade from Florida, while Ryan Seacrest brings the best from Disneyland.

Happy New Year!
“Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2008,” 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, ABC. Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark co-host the 35th edition of “the oldest living teenager’s” celebration. he prime-time segment is followed by local news, then “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2008, Part I” from 11:35 p.m. to 1:05 a.m., and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2008, Part II” from 1:05 a.m. to 2:05 a.m.

“NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly,” 11:35 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, NBC. NBC’s late-night host rings in the New Year from New York’s Times Square.

“New York Philharmonic New Year,” 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, PBS. Acclaimed violinist Joshua Bells joins the New York Philharmonic at New York’s Lincoln Center.

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