With Halloween nearly come and gone, it’s time to turn our attentions to the holidays: specifically, Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.
ABC has a plethora of holiday related programming coming up in the months of November and December, from holiday-themed episodes of its scripted shows to Christmas specials. Read on for a full list of what’s coming to ABC this holiday season.
Tuesday, November 15
FRESH OFF THE BOAT – “No Thanks-giving” – Louis and Jessica decide to open Cattleman’s Ranch on Thanksgiving Day, inspiring Emery and Evan to take heed of the restaurant business and perhaps inherit the family legacy someday. Meanwhile, Eddie decides to blow off the rest of eighth grade, so Jessica finds a creative way to teach him the meaning of hard work. (9:00–9:30 p.m.)
THE REAL O’NEALS – “The Real Tradition” – The O’Neals deal with a change to their Thanksgiving tradition when Pat and Eileen invite Gloria and VP Murray to dinner as their dates. Meanwhile, things don’t go as smoothly as planned when Gloria offers to help Kenny cook and Eileen prepares to meet VP Murray’s mom for the first time. The Food Network’s Graham Elliot, Alex Guarnaschelli and Antonia Lofaso as themselves. (9:30–10:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, November 16
THE GOLDBERGS – “HO-LY K.I.T.T.” – Murray and Uncle Marvin bond over their love of “Knight Rider” and attend the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade to see K.I.T.T. in person. Upset at his father and uncle for going without him, Adam poisons their relationship but later regrets his actions. Meanwhile, when Barry declares he is splitting his time between the Goldberg and Lewis families for Thanksgiving, Beverly hatches a plan to invite Bill and Lainey over. But her plans go awry when Bill has his own idea how to celebrate the holiday. Dan Fogler returns as Marvin. (8:00–8:30 p.m.)
SPEECHLESS – “T-H-A-THANKSGIVING” – The DiMeo plan to avoid another horrible Thanksgiving with Jimmy’s brother (guest star Rob Corddry), and his family backfires when the older DiMeo clan invites themselves over to celebrate. While Kenneth and Ray destroy the turkey, the rest of the family create a game, checking off the various annoying things their relatives are known for. When Jimmy and his brother Billy decide to take their competition to the streets, the family discovers that Billy’s family is not as perfect as it seems. (8:30–9:00 p.m.)
MODERN FAMILY – “Thanksgiving Jamboree” – It’s going to be a Thanksgiving jamboree at the Pritchett-Tucker home this year, and Cameron has spared no expense. While Phil tries to get used to Rainer Shine (Nathan Fillion) dating his daughter, Hayley has to break it to her dad that she would rather spend the rest of her holiday with her new boyfriend than staying for the traditional family football game. Meanwhile, Jay has to figure out a way to keep his blood pressure down on one of the most stressful days of the year, as Gloria tries to show Joe that animals are our friends. Finally, Alex and Dwight get to know each other a little better than her Uncle Cam would like, while Mitchell has to stop clowning around and tell Cam the truth. (9:00–9:31 p.m.)
BLACK-ISH – “Auntsgiving” – Pops’ older sister, Almaviligerais (guest star Lorraine Toussaint), unexpectedly arrives for Thanksgiving, much to everyone’s delight except Ruby, who can’t stand her ex-sister-in-law. While Bow and Dre go on their last vacation before the baby arrives, the kids try to figure out why Ruby hates Almaviligerais so much. (9:31–10:00 p.m.)
Friday, November 18
LAST MAN STANDING – “My Father the Car” – Mike is determined to get Chuck to sell him a car recently left to him by his late father, but Joe (Jay Leno) might beat him to the punch. At the Baxter home, Kyle shows up with a family Thanksgiving heirloom and Vanessa doesn’t even try to hide her distaste for the hideous centerpiece. Meanwhile, Kristin and Ryan are forced to lay down some house rules after learning that Eve’s new boyfriend (Travis Tope) stayed over-night in their basement. (8:00–8:31 p.m.)
DR. KEN – “Allison’s Thanksgiving Meltdown” – Allison convinces a reluctant Ken that it would be a fun, family adventure to drive to her parents for Thanksgiving dinner. But along the way, a traffic jam combined with her husband and kids’ antics causes her to lose her usual cool. Meanwhile, Clark takes charge to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a shelter for the homeless, but his bossiness and unnecessary attention to details drives everyone a little crazy. (8:31–9:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, November 22
THE MIDDLE – “Thanksgiving VIII” – Frankie has come to the conclusion that April (guest star Greer Grammer) is not good enough for Axl and does everything in her power to keep her out of their annual Christmas family photo. But she finds herself vying for Axl’s attention by trying to rearrange timing for the family’s Thanksgiving dinner when she discovers that he plans to go to April’s multiple family get-togethers that day. Meanwhile, Sue goes ballistic when she discovers that Brick will now be her new co-worker at Spudsy’s. (8:00–8:30 p.m.)
AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE – “The Blow-Up” – It’s Thanksgiving, but Katie is less-than-thankful that the holiday features a visit from her least-favorite person, her mom Kathryn (guest star Wendie Malick, “Hot in Cleveland”), a self-centered former Pan Am stewardess. Surprisingly, it’s Katie’s nemesis, Viv (Leslie Bibb), who helps ease the tension when she invites herself to dinner. (8:30–9:00 p.m.)
Wedneday, November 23
A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING – ABC celebrates the start of the holiday season with the classic half-hour animated Thanksgiving-themed PEANUTS special, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. A special bonus cartoon from Charles M. Schulz, “This Is America, Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers,” will air with the PEANUTS classic. The cast includes Todd Barbee as Charlie Brown, Robin Kohn as Lucy, Stephen Shea as Linus, Hilary Momberger as Sally, Kip DeFaria as Peppermint Patty, Jimmy Ahrens as Marcie and Robin Reed as Franklin. (Rebroadcast – ABC OAD: 11/16/01). (8:00–9:00 p.m.)
Friday, November 25
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” – In the perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions (“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman”), Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others. The vocal cast features Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle, Keenan Wynn as Winter, Paul Frees as Burgermeister Meisterburger, Grimsby, the soldiers and the townsmen, Joan Gardner as Tanta Kringle, Robie Lester as Jessica and Andrea Sacino, Dina Lynn, Gary White and Greg Thomas as the children. (8:00–9:00 p.m.)
Monday, November 28
CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS – Some of the biggest stars in music have come together to celebrate the holidays on “CMA Country Christmas,” a two-hour special hosted for the seventh year by Jennifer Nettles. (8:00–10:01 p.m.)
Thursday, December 1
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS – Celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, created by the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. In the digitally re-mastered 1965 special, Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus’ help to learn the real meaning of Christmas. (Rebroadcast – ABC OAD: 12/20/91). (8:00–9:00 p.m.)
THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW – It’s going to be a Very Mary Berry Christmas when “The Great American Baking Show” returns with a two-hour season premiere. Hosts Nia Vardalos (“My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding”) and Ian Gomez (“Cougar Town”) return with Britain’s “Royal Queen of Baking,” Mary Berry, and James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and author, Johnny Iuzzini, as judges where bakers from around the country will compete for the title of “America’s Best Amateur Baker.” Each week these bakers will share their recipes for holiday-themed fare with everything from cakes, cookies and pies on the dessert menu. “The Great American Baking Show” is from Love Productions and is executive produced by Richard McKerrow and Joey Allen. (9:00–11:00 p.m.)
Mondays, December 5, 12, 19
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS LIGHT FIGHT – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with ABC’s hit holiday decorating competition series, “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” returning for its fourth season with returning celebrity judges Taniya Nayak and Carter Oosterhouse. ”The Great Christmas Light Fight” features families and neighborhoods from across America decorating their homes to the extreme for Christmas in hopes of winning a cash prize and the coveted Light Fight trophy. The series will air for three consecutive weeks with back-to-back episodes. In each of the six one-hour episodes, four families compete for the $50,000 prize, with a total of $300,000 given away for the season, as they transform their homes into a festive wonderland for the holidays. (8:00–10:00 p.m.)
Thursday, December 8
TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT – Pixar Animation Studios’ special for television “Toy Story That Time Forgot” features your favorite characters from the “Toy Story” films. During a post-Christmas play date, the “Toy Story” gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It’s all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie’s room in this “Toy Story That Time Forgot.” The cast of “Toy Story That Time Forgot” includes Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Kevin McKidd (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Reptillus Maximus, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Timothy Dalton as Mr. Pricklepants, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Joan Cusack as Jessie. (8:00–8:30 p.m.)
SHREK THE HALLS – DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek the Halls,”starring America’s favorite ogre and his friends and featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas. Just when Shrek thought he could finally sit back, relax and enjoy his happily ever after with his new family, the most joyous of all holidays arrives. It’s Christmas Eve, and everyone is filled with holiday cheer – except for Shrek. He isn’t exactly the picture of yuletide joy, but for the sake of Fiona and the kids, he tries to get into the spirit of things as only an ogre can. Unfortunately, everyone seems to have their own ideas about what Christmas is all about, so when Donkey, Puss In Boots, Gingerbread Man and the whole gang try to join in on the fun, Shrek’s plans for a cozy family celebration end up spiraling into one truly unforgettable Christmas. (8:30–9:00 p.m.)
Saturday, December 10
MARY POPPINS – Set in Edwardian London, the film features no-nonsense nanny Mary Poppins, who flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children of the wealthy and strict Banks family, Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber). With the help of a carefree chimney sweep named Bert (Dick Van Dyke), the spirited nanny sets off on a series of fantastic adventures with Bert and the children, and teaches their parents some lessons about love along the way. Disney’s beloved classic received a total of 13 Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture, and won five, including Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Song (“Chim Chim Cher-ee”), Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Music Score. The movie features many classic songs, including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Jolly Holiday,” Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Feed the Birds,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.” (8:00–11:00 p.m.)
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