Throughout the holiday season, one of my favorite things to do is cuddle up under a blanket with a steaming cup of hot cocoa and watch some Christmas specials on TV. With drizzling rain in the forecast for the next few days across much of the country, Monday, December 5 is the perfect night to do just that.
At 8/7c there is something for viewers of all ages. On ABC, young viewers, or those who are young at heart, might want to tune in to the annual broadcast of A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first-ever prime-time animated special from Charles Shultz's Peanuts Gang. Initially produced for CBS in 1965, the heart-warming special has aired on ABC since 2001.
Eternally bummed Charlie Brown confesses to best pal Linus that he's depressed over the commercialization of Christmas. A visit to Lucy's psychiatric booth encourages Charlie Brown to get involved in the school's Nativity play to take his mind of his troubles. Even Snoopy has gone commercial, as the pooch is seen frantically decorating his doghouse in hopes of winning the neighborhood Christmas display contest.
Once at the school, he can't get control of his friends, who are more concerned with updating the classic Christmas story to make it more modern and lively. It's at this point that the Peanuts Gang dance their famous Charlie Brown dance while Schroeder tickles the ivories.
Again hoping to influence his friends, Charlie Brown sets out to buy a Christmas tree for the play. Once on the Christmas tree lot, Charlie Brown discovers a lonely, pathetic looking little tree is the only real tree on the lot. With hesitation from Linus, Charlie Brown goes with his instincts and buys the little tree, hoping decorations will improve its look. Of course Lucy and the rest of the gang laugh at Charlie Brown's tree, which makes him begin to second-gues if he even really knows what Christmas is about. Linus takes center stage for what has to be the most touching moment ever conveyed by a cartoon character when he recites Luke 2: verses 8-14.
If Charlie Brown isn't your thing, or if you happen to have a DVR or TiVo that can simultaneously record two programs at the same time, you might also enjoy NBC's now-annual holiday special, A Sing Off Christmas.
The recently crowned 3rd season champs, Pentatonix from Arlington, Texas will sing We Three Kings, their Christmas single included on the just-released Sing Off Songs of the Season CD.
Sing Off contestants from all three seasons, including Nashville's own The Collective, featuring my friends Ruby Amanfu and Sam Brooker are also set to perform. Look for The Collective to sing Santa Baby, their contribution to this year's holiday CD.
Also expected to perform, although they aren't featured on the tie-in CD are this year's crop of judnges: Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Sara Bareilles. Sing Off host Nick Lachey and special guest, Flo Rida are also expected to belt out a few holiday favorites.
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