TV networks offer holiday couch-potato fare for kids and adults alike

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This article was published 05/12/2006 (6867 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO (CP) – Holiday programming isn’t just for kids anymore. There’s something for everyone this festive season, from gourmands to music-lovers and those hooked on prime-time American programming like “House” and “Boston Legal.”

All the old standbys are back, including “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and both the live-action and animated versions of “The Grinch.” But for the adults among us, there’s also a surfeit of holiday-themed programming to be found on channels like Food Network Canada, Vision TV and Bravo, in addition to the mainstream fare on CBC, CTV and Global.

A list of some of the more interesting shows on offer this holiday season:

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Old standbys:

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Not a lot needs to be said about this family classic, narrated by Boris Karloff and arguably the best animated Christmas cartoon ever. It celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. ABC, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. EST; CBC, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. EST; TBS, Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m. EST. The movie version starring Jim Carrey airs on ABC and Global on Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. EST.

Frosty the Snowman: The’69 cartoon about a talking snowman is still a delight for kids of all ages. CBC, Dec. 11, 8:30 p.m. EST.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town: A clay-animated Santa story classic. ABC, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. EST; CBC, Dec.–, 8 p.m. EST.

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The tale of a freak reindeer rejected by Santa who goes on to save Christmas still resonates with children of all ages. CBC, Dec. 21, 8 p.m. EST.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Another family favourite that sees Lucy trying to counsel a depressed Charlie Brown through the holiday season, eventually helping him discover the true meaning of Christmas. YTV, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. EST.

Miracle on 34th Street: No Christmas would be complete without a viewing of this’47 tearjerker. CTV, Dec. 24, 9 p.m. EST.

A Christmas Story: The’83 cult classic starring Peter Billingsley as a kid with a fervent desire for a BB gun for Christmas. CBC, Dec. 24, 4 p.m. EST

A Christmas Carol: Alastair Sims is still the best Scrooge ever in this’51 retelling of the beloved Charles Dickens novel. CTV, Dec. 23, 8 p.m. EST; CBC, Dec. 24, 11 p.m.

It’s a Wonderful Life: It’s hard to imagine celebrating Christmas without taking in this Frank Capra morality tale starring Jimmy Stewart at the height of his acting powers. The film turns 60 this year. NBC, Dec. 16, 8 p.m. EST; CBC, Dec. 24, 7 p.m. EST; NBC, Dec. 24, 8 p.m. EST.

White Christmas: Cheesy yet enjoyable old chestnut starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, made only more intriguing upon revelations that Bing used to terrorize his kids. CBC, Dec. 25, after the Queen’s message at 11:10 p.m. EST.

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Family fare:

The Great Canadian Polar Bear Adventure: A fun-for-the-whole-family film that combines actual footage of the majestic animals with animation. Narration by Megan Follows. CBC, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. EST.

The Wind in the Willows: Real actors play Rat, Toad, Mole and Badger in this eagerly anticipated CBC/BBC co-production of the beloved children’s tale. CBC, Dec.’, 8 p.m. EST.

Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe Christmas Pageant: At the Empire Theatre in Belleville, Ont., the CBC Radio host takes to the stage determined to bring an old-fashioned Christmas pageant to town. CBC, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m. EST.

The Origins of Christmas: A new special that explores all the mysterious traditions of Christmas, from the Christmas tree to mistletoe. Vision TV, Dec.-, 9 p.m. EST.

Trailer Park Boys Christmas Special: It’s too raunchy for the little ones, but after they’re tucked away to await Santa’s arrival, parents and grandparents may enjoy gathering around the tube to take in this instant classic that first aired last year. One of the hilarious highlights features Ricky selling hashish at a Christmas Eve church service. Showcase, Dec. 24, 11:10 p.m. EST.

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Home/lifestyles fare:

The Shopping Bags Christmas: Professional shopaholics Anna Waller and Kristina Matisic host five back-to-back holiday-themed episodes. Looking for meaningful gifts for your meaningful other that won’t break the bank? Tune into W on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. EST.

Twelve Days of Cookies: Cookie experts – yes, there really is such a thing – offer up their favourite holiday cookie recipes. Food Network, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. EST.

Food Jammers Hol-log-Day Special: The Food Jammers reinterpret the magic of the tree’s place in the holiday tradition, sectioning a sugar maple and carving each log into a cooking vessel. Fire-roasted partridge with caramelized pears and chestnuts are among their culinary creations. Food Network, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. EST.

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Arts/music fare:

World Christmas: Canada’s acclaimed Worldfest Ensemble performs traditional Christmas tunes from around the world. Vision TV, Dec.’, 10 p.m. EST; Bravo, Dec.’, 11 a.m. EST.

The Carol Project: A live multimedia show with Canadian performers doing a musical version of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Citytv, Dec.’, 10 p.m.; Bravo, Dec. 20, 8 p.m. EST.

Tell It on the Mountain: Canadian virtuoso Marcus Mosely and Gail Suderman perform with a choir with Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain as a majestic backdrop in this new holiday concert special. Bravo, Dec.’, 8:30 p.m. EST.

Gospel Challenge Christmas Special: Gospel singers from Toronto, Montreal and Halifax perform a concert of Christmas carols. Vision, Dec. 12, 10 p.m. EST.

An Indigo Christmas: The Nathaniel Dett Chorale performs in a stately Toronto Anglican church. Vision, Dec. 11, 10 p.m. EST; Bravo, Dec.’, 7:30 p.m. EST.

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Prime-time shows:

The Simpsons: Canadian figure skater Elvis Stojko guest-voices as himself in this year’s Christmas offering. Marge invites Springfield’s resident loser, Gil, home for Christmas dinner – but comes to regret her hospitality. Global, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. EST; Fox, Dec. 17, 8 p.m. EST.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Whoever’s still watching this show – its ratings have been steadily sinking since its debut – might enjoy watching Matt’s attempts to get a holiday edition of the late-night comedy sketch show off the ground. CTV, Dec. 3, 10 p.m. EST; NBC, Dec. 4, 10 p.m. EST.

House: Dr. House is forced to deal with his drug problem in this Christmas-themed episode. Fox, Global, Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. EST.

The O.C.: Seth brings back Chrismukkah – enough said. CTV, Dec.–, 7 p.m. EST, Fox at 9 p.m.

Two and a Half Men: Charlie finds himself throwing an unplanned, unwanted holiday party as Evelyn tries to keep him from bedding down his date. CH, Dec. 11, 9 p.m. EST.

Corner Gas: An encore presentation entitled “Merry Gasman” has Brent trying to find a way to cope when he finds out that Emma is planning for a traditional Christmas. CTV, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. EST.

Boston Legal: James Spader’s character tries to get into the Christmas spirit by helping a mother who hopes to gain custody of her two white-supremacist daughters. ABC, CH, Dec. 5, 10 p.m. EST.

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The VIPs:

The Pope: Pope Benedict delivers the annual papal message and blessing from St. Peter’s Square in Rome. VisionTV, Dec. 25, 1 p.m. EST.

The Queen: Elizabeth delivers her annual Christmas message. CBC, Dec. 25, 11:10 p.m. EST.