The New Year's Eve TV scene is getting an offbeat party crasher — Garrison Keillor of "Prairie Home Companion" radio fame.
Keillor will escort 2006 out the door with a PBS special from the former longtime Nashville home of the Grand Ole Opry, the show that inspired his own homespun-with-a-twist public radio broadcast.
There are other holiday newcomers — among them John Goodman as Santa Claus and Janice Dickinson bringing their own brand of Christmas cheer — but viewers can once again find comfort and joy in such stalwarts as the Grinch and James "It's a Wonderful Life" Stewart.
Among the program highlights (all times EST; check local listings for encore airings):
ANIMATION:
"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, CBS. The 1964 special in which Rudolph and buddies Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Misfit Toys rescue Christmas. And then there's the magic of Burl Ives' voice."Frosty the Snowman," 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, CBS. Jimmy Durante is the narrator as jolly soul Frosty (voice by Jackie Vernon) takes centerstage."Frosty Returns," 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, CBS. John Goodman does the voice honors as Frosty and Jonathan Winters narrates the snowman's further adventures.Holidaze: The Christmas That Almost Didn't Happen," 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, ABC. Rusty Reindeer is on an identity hunt and Santa's "Nice 'N Naughty O'Matic" is down, imperiling his annual giveaway. Fred Savage, Fred Willard and Gladys Knight are among the voices."Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, ABC. This version of Theodore Geisel's tale of the hostile Grinch vs. Whoville marks its 40th anniversary. Boris Karloff narrates and voices the role of the Grinch."I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!", 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, ABC. Snoopy's holiday plans mean that his brother, Spike, may have to step in to keep ReRun company during Christmas vacation.MOVIES:
"The Polar Express," 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, ABC Family. The animated version of the story about a boy who takes the train ride of a lifetime. Tom Hanks voices the conductor."Santa Baby," 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, ABC Family. Jenny McCarthy plays a hard-driving executive who comes home to help out her ailing dad, Santa Claus (George Wendt), in the family business."The Year Without a Santa Claus," 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, NBC. John Goodman stars as a downcast Santa who feels he's lost popular support. Can he and a child help each other believe again? Delta Burke, Harvey Fierstein, Carol Kane and Michael McKean co-star."A Christmas Wedding," 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, Lifetime. Eric Mabius of "Ugly Betty" and Sarah Paulson of "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" star in the tale of Yuletide wedding plans gone awry."Elf," 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, CBS. Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen star about a North Pole-raised man who hunts for his roots in New York."It's a Wonderful Life," 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, NBC. The holiday fable reaches a landmark: It's been 60 years since James Stewart and Donna Reed first reminded audiences about what's important in life. With optional narration by former President George Bush for the visually impaired."Christmas Do-Over," 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, ABC Family. A man has the chance to change his past by re-living a difficult Christmas. Jay Mohr and Daphne Zuniga star."The Road to Christmas," 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, Lifetime. Jennifer Grey stars as a photographer who's not sure she has the right fiancé in the frame."A Perfect Day," 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, TNT. A first-time novelist's success threatens his relationship with his wife and daughter. Rob Lowe, Paget Brewster, Frances Conroy and Christopher Lloyd star."Meet the Santas," 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, Hallmark Channel. In the sequel to "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus," Nick Claus (Steve Guttenberg) and Beth (Crystal Bernard) plan their Christmas Eve wedding."Miracle on 34th Street" marathon, noon Sunday, Dec. 24, AMC. The 1947 film starring Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood airs through Christmas morning, with the original black-and-white alternating with a colorized version."A Very Married Christmas," 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, CBS. A man finds his life and marriage falling apart during the holidays. Joe Mantegna, Jean Smart and Charles Durning star."The Christmas Card," 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25, Hallmark Channel. A soldier (John Newton) wants to say thanks for the touching Christmas card he received in Afghanistan, addressed to "a member of the U.S. Army," and finds the unexpected.STOCKING STUFFERS:
"Nigella Bites: Christmas Holiday," 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Food Network. Reducing stress in the kitchen and boosting holiday happiness is cook Nigella Lawson's gift to viewers."White House Christmas 2006," 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, HGTV. Robin McGraw, wife of Dr. Phil, peeks inside as decorators, bakers and volunteers prepare the mansion for the holidays."What's with that Christmas House?" 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, HGTV. Host George Gray tours lavishly and uniquely festooned homes to discover why and how people do the darndest things."Christmas with the Dickinsons," 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, Oxygen. How does supermodel-turned-TV-personality Dickinson spend her holidays? Auditioning male models for a "Hunky Santa" promotion, making a music video and maybe a meal."Christmas Out of the Box," 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, National Geographic Channel. Science and history are the tools employed to examine aspects of the holiday ranging from retailing to reindeer noses to Bethlehem's most famous starry night."A Home for the Holidays," 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, CBS. This effort to raise awareness about adoption gets a boost from stars including Rod Stewart, Five For Fighting, John Legend, Laura Dern, Angie Harmon and Rene Russo."Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade," 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 25, ABC. Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are the hosts for the show set to include pop stars Beyonce, Daniel Powter and RBD and "High School Musical" cast members.AULD LANG SYNE:
"New York Philharmonic: Audra McDonald Sings the Movies for New Year's Eve," 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, PBS. The Broadway star calls the tune for New Year's with a "Live From Lincoln Center" show that includes standards by Ellington, Gershwin, Arlen and more."Garrison Keillor's New Year's Eve Special," 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, PBS. The host of "A Prairie Home Companion" and his merry public radio team celebrate the evening at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on "Great Performances.""Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve 2007," 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, ABC. Clark, rebounding from a 2004 stroke, is joined by co-host Ryan Seacrest for an evening of music and revelry, the 35th edition of Clark's New Year's Eve show."New Year's Eve with Carson Daly," 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, NBC. Daly does the year-end honors from New York's Times Square, backed up by rock band Panic! At the Disco. A pre-show special airs at 11 p.m. on MSNBC and Bravo."New Year's Eve Special," 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, Fox. Where, oh, where to celebrate the holiday? Times Square of course. The special promises hot artists, celebrity interviews and a look back at memorable moments of 2006, all from the "epicenter" of the big countdown."From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2007," 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, PBS. The "Great Performances" series is again on hand for the annual broadcast of the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Day celebration. Zuni Meth conducts, Walter Cornet hosts.