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In the spirit of the economy, new holiday originals are scarce this year.
Networks are largely relying on venerable favorites for the Yule season, like Charlie Brown's Christmas tale, the old Rankin-Bass classics and the “Frosty” cartoons.
Boris Karloff returns to narrate the Dr. Seuss gem “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” my personal favorite. Also on the Grinch circuit will be the Jim Carrey movie adaptation from 2000, which leaves me cold.
Tight budgets have restricted the networks from turning out much new for the season, though CBS delivers a new animated piece, “Yes, Virginia,” in December, based on the famous New York Sun editorial. In this story, editor Francis Church feels like he's got more important things to do than answer a query from little Virginia O'Hanlon about the existence of Santa, but subsequent events soften him up.
Lifetime network offers some new dramas, including “The Christmas Hope,” a sequel to “The Christmas Shoes,” about a social worker who brings in a child for the holidays and whose life is transformed.
Holiday-themed variety shows, with their relatively low budgets, used to be an annual staple, but even they are hard to find this year. Carrie Underwood will host one on Fox, though, with a strong lineup including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate.
One old favorite will return again and again: Jean Shepherd's “A Christmas Story,” about young Ralphie and that Red Ryder BB gun. It will air around the clock on TNT beginning Christmas Eve.
Here is a look at some of the major holiday programs ahead.
Saturday, Nov. 28
“The National Tree” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): A family learns a lesson about commercialization when their tree is chosen for display outside the White House.
“Merry Madagascar” (8 p.m., NBC): Santa (Carl Reiner) crash lands on the island of Madagascar, meaning the animals must save Christmas.
Sunday, Nov. 29
“Behind the Magic: Holidays At Disney” (8 p.m., HGTV): A behind-the-scenes tour of the preparations for decorating Disney World.
“The Dog Who Saved Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC Family): A clumsy watchdog saves the day.
“A Dog Named Christmas” (9 p.m., CBS): Handicapped son adopts a dog for Christmas, but father says for Christmas only.
Monday, Nov. 30
“Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC): Narrated by Boris Karloff, the 1966 animated version of the Dr. Seuss story.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
“The Year Without Santa Claus” (7 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Mickey Rooney voices Santa in this animated classic about the year he just didn't feel up to it.
“Christmas Outside of the Box” (7 p.m., TLC): Examining the history and mystery of Christmas rituals.
“The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Holidays” (9 p.m., Food Network): Chefs Alton Brown, Alex Guarnaschelli, Tyler Florence, Aarón Sánchez, Claire Robinson, Duff Goldman and Art Smith discuss their favorite holiday foods.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
“Pixar Short Films” (7 p.m., ABC Family Channel): A two-hour collection of short films from the imagination of Pixar Studios.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (8 p.m., CBS): Burl Ives narrates the story of the most famous reindeer of them all.
“Christmas in Rockefeller Center” (8 p.m., NBC): Jane Krakowski and Zachary Levi co-host the annual lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center. Artists include Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, the Roots, Shakira and the Radio City Rockettes.
Thursday, Dec. 3
“The Polar Express” (6 p.m., 8:30 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Tom Hanks in adaption of the beloved children's book.
Friday, Dec. 4
“Frosty's Winter Wonderland” (7 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Narrated by Andy Griffith, this Frosty adventure has him tangling with the evil Jack Frost.
Saturday, Dec. 5
“Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas” (7 a.m., ABC Family Channel): Disney characters in Christmas stories.
“Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle” (8 p.m., Hallmark Channel): Doris Roberts and James Van Der Beek star in the story of a new housekeeper who brings order to an unruly house at the holidays, based on Debbie Macomber's book.
“Guy's Disney Holiday” (9 p.m., Food Network): Guy Fieri explores Disneyland during the holidays and its holiday-themed meals.
“12 Men of Christmas” (9 p.m., Lifetime): Kristin Chenoweth plays a down-and-out publicist who brings sizzle to a Montana town for the holidays.
Sunday, Dec. 6
“Dennis the Menace Christmas” (8:30 a.m., ABC Family Channel): Dennis tries to get Mr. Wilson in the holiday spirit.
“Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure” (8 p.m., Nickelodeon): Swiper tries to take the Christmas star from Dora the Explorer's party, landing him on Santa's naughty list.
“Celebrity Holiday Homes” (8 p.m., HGTV): Designers decorate the homes of celebrities Jewel, Kathie Lee Gifford and Holly Robinson-Peete.
“Invasion of the Christmas Lights” (9 p.m., TLC): Lighting enthusiasts across the country and their elaborate displays.
Monday, Dec. 7
“'Twas the Night Before Christmas” (7 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Joey Grey narrates the Clement Moore poem.
“Unaccompanied Minors” (8 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Kids run amok when stranded at an airport during a holiday blizzard.
“Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” (8 p.m., Fox): Featuring Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, David Cook, Kristin Chenoweth, Christina Applegate and Sons of Sylvia.
“Santa Claus is Comin' to Town” (8 p.m., ABC): The 1970 Rankin-Bass tale of how Kris Kringle (voiced by Mickey Rooney) starts a toy factory for children, running afoul of the Burgermeister Meisterburger.
“Diners, Drive-In, & Dives” (10 p.m., Food Network): Guy Fieri samples holiday treats in North Pole, Alaska, including smoked caribou.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
“Christmas with Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas” (2:30 p.m., S.C. ETV, Channel 30): George goes shopping for The Man with the Yellow Hat.
“Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too” (7:30 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Pooh and Piglet rush to get Christopher Robin's letter to Santa.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC): Charlie Brown takes on the commercialization of Christmas in this 1965 classic. Followed by Christmas-themed animated stories titled “Charlie Brown Christmas Tales.”
“A Miser Brothers' Christmas” (9 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Mickey Rooney voices Santa in this tale of a souped-up sled sabotaged by North Wind.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
“Santa Claus is Comin' to Town” (8 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Fred Astaire narrates the tale of young Kris Kringle.
“Shrek the Halls” (8 p.m., ABC): Shrek tries to get in the holiday spirit.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” (9 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Rudolph battles the Evil Toy Taker.
Thursday, Dec. 10
“Holiday in Handcuffs” (8 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Melissa Joan Hart plays a young woman who kidnaps a guy to take home to her family at Christmas.
“Flintstone Christmas” (10 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Santa falls through Fred's roof and breaks his ankle.
“Hollywood Christmas Parade” (8 p.m., MyNetworkTV): Hollywood celebrities in Tinseltown parade.
Friday, Dec. 11
“A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” (8 p.m., NBC): Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo and the gang have to get their letters to Santa in time. Stars Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Griffiths, Jane Krakowski, Nathan Lane, Jesse L. Martin, Petra Nemcova, Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico, Uma Thurman and Madison Pettis.
“Santa Clause 2” (8 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Tim Allen as the new Santa who must find a wife to keep his job.
“Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation” (8 p.m., Disney Channel): Phineas and Ferb must overcome Dr. Doofenshmirtz's Naughty-inator before Santa arrives.
“Yes, Virginia” (8 p.m., CBS): The story behind the most famous editorial of all time, the 1897 piece that begins, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
Saturday, Dec. 12
“Little Drummer Boy” (7 a.m., ABC Family Channel): Vienna Boy's Choir provides music for the classic story.
“The Christmas Shoes” (4 p.m., Lifetime): Rob Lowe and Kimberly Williams-Paisley pair in a story about a boy getting shoes for his dying mother.
“The Christmas Blessing” (6 p.m., Lifetime): Neil Patrick Harris and Rebecca Gayheart in a story of a physician who forms bonds through loss at the holiday.
“The Polar Express” (8 p.m., ABC): A fantasy journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, starring the voice of Tom Hanks.
“It's A Wonderful Life” (8 p.m., NBC): Frank Capra's classic 1946 film, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore.
“The Christmas Hope” (8 p.m., Lifetime): Feuding couple puts aside their differences when a young girl comes to stay with them at Christmas.
“Frosty the Snowman” (8 p.m., CBS): Original animated, silk-hatted Frosty story. Narrated by Jimmy Durante.
“Frosty Returns” (8:30 p.m., CBS): Frosty the Snowman makes a comeback with winter. John Goodman is the voice of Frosty and Jonathan Winters narrates.
“The Flight Before Christmas” (9 p.m., CBS): Niko dreams of joining Santa's squadron, then discovers a plot to destroy the reindeer team by the evil Black Wolf and his gang.
Sunday, Dec. 13
“Snow” (10 a.m., ABC Family Channel): Tom Cavanagh plays the new Santa, taking over the family business.
“The Christmas Hope” (8 p.m., Lifetime): Sequel to “The Christmas Shoes,” a social worker brings in a child for the holidays.
Monday, Dec. 14
“Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas” (8 p.m., ABC): Jennifer Hudson and Michael Bublé perform Christmas music.
“Eloise at Christmastime” (5 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) meddles in a wedding at the Plaza on Christmas Eve.
Tuesday, Dec. 15
“Gotta Catch Santa Claus” (6 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Animated tale of 12-year-olds in search of Santa, who is voiced by William Shatner.
“Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (8:30 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Macaulay Culkin reprises his role as the holiday orphan battling the same bandits.
“Funniest Commercials of the Year” (10 p.m., TBS): Best and funniest commercials from around the world.
Wednesday, Dec. 16
“Happy Feet” (8 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Mumble the penguin develops cool dance moves.
“Disney Prep & Landing” (8 p.m., ABC): From Disney studios, an elite unit of elves prepares for Santa's annual Christmas Eve journeys.
Thursday, Dec. 17
“Jack Frost” (8 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Irresponsible dad reincarnated as his son's snowman.
Saturday, Dec. 19
“The Three Gifts” (8 p.m. Hallmark Channel): Dean Cain, Jean Louisa Kelly star in the story of a couple that takes in three mischievous orphans for the holiday.
Sunday, Dec. 20
“Christmas in Washington” (8 p.m., TNT): Recording artists Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher perform for VIPs at the National Building Museum.
Monday, Dec. 21
“Great Performances: Nutcracker” (9 p.m., S.C. ETV, Channel 30): Kristi Yamaguchi hosts the San Francisco Ballet's performance.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
“A Very Brady Christmas” (1 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Brady family, all grown up, reunites for holiday.
Wednesday, Dec. 23
“Miracle on 34th Street” (7:30 p.m., ABC Family Channel): Classic tale of a little girl who befriends a Macy's Santa.
Thursday, Dec. 24
“Leprechauns' Christmas Gold” (9 a.m., ABC Family Channel): Dinty Doyle picks out the perfect tree for his family, not realizing it contains the spirit of an evil banshee.
“A Christmas Story” (8 p.m., TBS): TBS's annual round-the-clock airing of the Jean Shepherd story goes until 8 p.m. Christmas night. It's the story of Ralphie, who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, and stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin.
Friday, Dec. 25
“Jingle All the Way” (11 a.m., ABC Family Channel): Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the dad who must come up with the rare toy for Christmas.
Saturday, Dec. 26
“Down Home with the Neelys” (11 a.m., Food Network): Neelys concoct a New Year's meal including a cheddar-and-bacon biscuit, fried-egg sandwich.
