TV News: CBS Holiday 2015 Programming

‘Tis the season…well, almost anyways. Get in the spirit with the classic Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and … the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show? Well, I’m sure it’s an annual classic in someone’s home.

In a press release:

CBS Holiday 2015 Programming

Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, and The Story of Santa Claus Airs Saturday, Nov. 28

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Airs Tuesday, Dec. 1

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Airs Tuesday, Dec. 8

The Flight Before Christmas Airs Saturday, Dec. 12

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“FROSTY THE SNOWMAN,” NARRATED BY JIMMY DURANTE, TO BE REBROADCAST SATURDAY, NOV. 28 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

     Frosty, that “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship in FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, the popular animated musical special narrated by Jimmy Durante, to be rebroadcast Saturday, Nov. 28 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Comedian Jackie Vernon provides the voice of Frosty in the Christmas fable, originally broadcast Dec. 7, 1969 on the Network. The special, based on the popular song of the same title by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson about the happy-go-lucky snowman with the “corncob pipe, a button nose and two eyes made out of coal,” features Billy De Wolfe as the voice of the villainous Professor Hinkle, a magician whose stovepipe-hat transforms the lifeless snow figure into an enchanting song-and-dance man.

Pursued by the hatless magician and rising temperatures, Frosty sets off for the North Pole to keep from melting. En route, the indomitable snowman weathers a whirl of adventures and overcomes the threat of evaporation.

The special was produced and directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass, with additional lyrics and music by Bass and Maury Laws. The story was written by Romeo Muller. Voices for all the additional characters are provided by Paul Frees and June Foray.

RATING: TVG

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“FROSTY RETURNS,” NARRATED BY JONATHAN WINTERS, WITH JOHN GOODMAN AS THE VOICE OF FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, TO BE REBROADCAST SATURDAY, NOV. 28 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

The voices of comedians Jan Hooks, Andrea Martin and Brian Doyle-Murray are also heard in the animated special from executive producer Lorne Michaels

       The magic still in his old silk hat, the holiday season’s perennially popular original dancing snowman continues his adventures and skates on the edge of danger in the animated musical special FROSTY RETURNS, to be rebroadcast Saturday, Nov. 28 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Originally broadcast 12/01/95.) Jonathan Winters is the narrator, with John Goodman as the voice of Frosty. Other voices are provided by comedians Jan Hooks, Andrea Martin and Brian Doyle-Murray.

The first winter storm of the season brings the magical Frosty to the snow-covered town of Beansborough just as a new invention, a snow-removal spray called Summer Wheeze, is being introduced on the market. Not only does Summer Wheeze de-ice the town’s annual Winter Carnival, it also threatens Frosty’s very existence.

FROSTY RETURNS was produced by Eryk Casemiro and Bill Melendez and directed by Melendez and Evert Brown. Lorne Michaels (“Saturday Night Live”) is executive producer. The special was written by Oliver Goldstick, based on a story by Jim Lewis, with original music by Mark Mothersbaugh. FROSTY RETURNS was created by Bill Melendez Productions, Inc., in association with Broadway Video and CBS Entertainment Productions.

RATING: TVG

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“THE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS,” AN ANIMATED, MUSICAL HOLIDAY SPECIAL, TO BE REBROADCAST SATURDAY, NOV. 28 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

The voices of Edward Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry are featured.

         THE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS, an animated, musical holiday special featuring the voices of Edward Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry, will be rebroadcast Saturday, Nov. 28 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The story revolves around a gentle toymaker whose only wish is to deliver a toy to every child on Christmas. (Originally broadcast 12/4/96.)

Asner is heard as the toymaker, Nicholas “Santa” Claus, and White as his wife, Gretchen. They are in dire financial straits with nowhere to go when their heartless landlord evicts them from their small shop. With only a bag of toys to their name, they decide to deliver the toys to the children of the Angel’s Island Orphanage, the place where Nicholas grew up.

On their way to the island, Santa and Gretchen are enveloped in a terrible storm and dragged out to sea, finally washing ashore at the North Pole. Curry is heard as Nostros, the leader of a band of tiny elves, whom they meet at the Pole. Nostros orders them to leave and is about to attack them when his son has an accident and Santa gets the chance to save the boy’s life. Under these unforeseen circumstances, Nostros is forced by elfin rules to grant Santa his fondest wish – to give every child in the world a toy on Christmas.

If the elves fail to grant Santa’s wish, all elves around the world will lose their magic – forever. Under intense pressure, the elves draw on all their magic as they work feverishly to make the presents in time for Christmas. But when Christmas Eve finally arrives, there is no guarantee that Santa will be able to deliver all the toys. With Nostros along to conjure up all the magic available, Santa takes off on the great holiday adventure with a sleigh full of presents and a heart full of Christmas spirit.

Marie Maxwell and John Thomas composed the score, which includes four original songs: “To Give Every Child in the World a Toy,” “We’re Gonna Pull It Off,” “Clement’s Song” and “Santa’s Ride.”

THE STORY OF SANTA CLAUS was produced by Arnold Shapiro Productions and Film Roman Productions, in association with CBS Productions. Arnold Shapiro is the executive producer; Phil Roman, the animation executive producer; Carol Corwin, the producer. Toby Bluth directed the special from a script by Rachel Koretsky and Steve Whitestone.

RATING:   TVG

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THE CLASSIC HOLIDAY SPECIAL “RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER,” TO BE REBROADCAST TUESDAY, DEC. 1 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

The navigational prowess of “the most famous reindeer of all” will again illuminate Santa Claus’ way into the Christmas season, on a rebroadcast of RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, Tuesday, Dec. 1 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Originally broadcast on CBS 12/8/72, after an eight-year run on another network.)

The special, narrated by Burl Ives, who is also heard as the voice of Sam the Snowman, is a musical story based on the popular song of the same title by Johnny Marks. It recounts the tale of a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has made him the laughing stock of all Christmasville.

Pursued by an Abominable Snow Monster, inhabitants of Christmasville flee to the island of Misfit Toys in the Arctic wilderness where Yukon Cornelius, a prospector they meet along the way, comes to their rescue. Returning to Christmasville, they learn that bad weather may cause Christmas to be canceled. But Rudolph’s headlight — his illuminated nose — saves the “foggy Christmas Eve” by serving as a beacon to guide Santa’s sleigh.

Marks composed seven additional songs for the special: “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Silver and Gold,” “We Are Santa’s Elves,” “We’re a Couple of Misfits,” “Jingle Jingle Jingle,” “There’s Always Tomorrow” and “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year.” Two musical numbers in the beloved classic were restored to their original form in the remastered version. Now included is the full-length rendition of the song “We Are Santa’s Elves.” The second enhanced number is “We’re a Couple of Misfits,” a duet between Rudolph and his newfound friend, Hermey the Elf.

Over the years, fading and degeneration of the print had caused it to take on a reddish hue that differs significantly from the bluer tones and starker contrasts of the original. This color-corrected version from 1998 allows a new generation of television viewers to appreciate the special’s original visual texture and rich palette of colors. Santa’s elves have their blue suits back after years of wearing faded green.

The scene restorations and color correction process for RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER were completed by Golden Books. The special was produced by “Animagic” pioneers Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass and directed by Larry Roemer. Romeo Muller wrote the television adaptation from a story by Robert L. May.

RATING: TVG

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“THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW” RETURNS TO NEW YORK CITY, TUESDAY, DEC. 8 ON CBS

The Victoria’s Secret Angels return to New York City on THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW, Tuesday, Dec. 8 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network.

The world’s most celebrated fashion show will include an all-star lineup of Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel and Lily Aldridge, as well as newest Angels Elsa Hosk, Jac Jagaciak, Jasmine Tookes, Kate Grigorieva, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Romee Strijd, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell, Taylor Hill and Victoria’s Secret PINK model Rachel Hilbert.

The lingerie runway show will include pink carpet interviews, model profiles, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the world’s most celebrated fashion show, the multi-million dollar Fantasy Bra and musical performances which will be announced at a later date.

THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW has become a global phenomenon, viewed in more than 180 countries and territories around the world. Since it debuted in 1995 in New York City, the show has taken place in Cannes, Los Angeles, Miami and, most recently, London.

THE VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW is being produced by done and dusted, inc. Edward G. Razek, Monica Mitro, Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton are the executive producers. Hamish Hamilton is the director.

VS Website: http://www.victoriassecret.com

Victoria’s Secret Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VSFashionShow and http://www.facebook.com/victoriassecret

VS Twitter: @VictoriasSecret #VSFashionShow

VS Instagram: @VictoriasSecret

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“THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,” AN ANIMATED HOLIDAY SPECIAL ABOUT A YOUNG REINDEER WITH AMBITIONS OF BECOMING AN EXPERT FLYER LIKE HIS FATHER, TO BE REBROADCAST SATURDAY, DEC. 12 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Voices of Emma Roberts and Norm McDonald are featured

           THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, an animated holiday special about a young reindeer with ambitions of becoming an expert flyer like his father, to be rebroadcast, Saturday, Dec. 12 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Originally broadcast 12/12/08.) THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS features the voices of Emma Roberts and comedian Norm McDonald.

Niko the young reindeer yearns to fly just like his dad, whom he believes is a member of Santa’s Flying Forces. Following an attack by wolves on his herd’s peaceful home, he heads off on a desperate, dangerous mission through icy blizzards and across wild terrain to find his father. He discovers a devious plan to destroy and replace the famous flying squadron by the evil Black Wolf and his gang.

On his heroic journey to find his father and save Christmas, Niko is accompanied by his constant friend and surrogate father Julius, a clumsy squirrel who has nurtured and indulged the boy’s dream. Julius knows he has to persuade Niko to return home to the safety of the herd, but much to his annoyance they are then joined by a sassy young singing weasel called Wilma, who actually knows the way to Santa’s Fell.

As the brave trio encounters obstacles on their hazardous journey, Niko faces the biggest challenge of all when he must choose between the life he has dreamed about and a life with his family.

THE FLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is produced by the Weinstein Company.

RATING: TVG