Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus in "Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas" on NBC.
Katherine Bomboy/NBC
OK, so I’ll sound like that cranky previous man (“Get off my garden!”), however again in my day, there have been solely two vacation specials of observe, NBC’s “Rudolph the Pink-Nosed Reindeer” (with these Norelco advertisements) and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (on CBS). I’ll throw in “Frosty the Snowman” for good measure — however solely as a result of comic Jackie Vernon voiced Frosty. In any other case, meh on that one.
These had been the times (and nights) of the three-network tv panorama. Now, in 2022, there are a whole lot of vacation specials throughout broadcast, cable, streaming and doubtless another platform I’m forgetting about. Two networks, Lifetime and Hallmark Channel, additionally drop vacation films over the summer season months — a intelligent advertising twist which, delivers wholesome viewership numbers. These days, the specials begin to seem earlier than Halloween. That’s scary sufficient.
However there’s no doubting the starvation for holiday-themed films and specials. Sadly, we are able to’t write about or point out all of them. So, here's a snapshot listing of what tv (in all of its types) has to supply this month within the type of unique vacation films and specials.
Notable: “A New Orleans Noel”
Saturday, Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Grace Hill (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and Anthony Brown (Brad James) couldn't be extra totally different … however once they’re each employed to work collectively on the house of New Orleans praline icon Loretta Brown (Patti LaBelle), they discover themselves butting heads over extra than simply structure. Tim Reid co-stars as Marcel, a retired good friend who catches Loretta’s eye.
Notable: “Christmas at The Greenbrier” (now streaming).
The community’s second vacation film stars Emmy nominee Alicia Leigh Willis and Josh Murray as widowed mom Abby and former professional soccer participant Ben, who dated beforehand however ended their relationship when Ben turned professional. They unexpectedly reconnect throughout a keep at The Greenbrier — and sparks fly.
Notable: “Christmas on the Golden Dragon”
Thursday, Dec. 8 (10 p.m.)
With the city’s landmark Chinese language restaurant closing, two siblings discover themselves reevaluating their lives alongside the restaurant’s loyal patrons. Starring Kara Wang, Osric Chau, Sara Canning, Antonio Cupo, Barbara Niven.
Notable: “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”
Thursday, Dec. 1 (8 p.m.)
It’s a modern-day film musical concerning the making of a community TV particular and follows the backstage story and on-camera outcomes of Parton’s want to uplift an exhausted world’s spirits by sharing the distinctive “mountain magic” she has all the time present in and round Dollywood at Christmas. Co-starring Tom Everett Scott, Angel Parker and Ana Gasteyer with musical company together with Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus.
Notable: “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All!”
Tuesday, Dec. 20 (8-10 p.m.)
Carey’s live performance particular was filmed at Madison Sq. Backyard enviornment — with Carey, in fact, crooning her perennial favourite “All I Need for Christmas Is You.”
Notable: “A Very Backstreet Vacation”
Wednesday, Dec. 14 (8 p.m.)
The ’90s-era Boy Band — Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter — croon tunes from their new vacation album together with “White Christmas,” “Feliz Navidad” and “I’ll Be House for Christmas.”
Notable: “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 2.
One other tackle the acquainted Charles Dickens story — however this one is a “supernatural, time-traveling musical adaptation” that includes the voices of Luke Evans, Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman and Johnny Flynn.
Notable: “A Christmas Story Christmas” (now streaming)
The basic vacation film “A Christmas Story” is up to date with Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) all grown up and coping with the vacations — as a dad. Returning forged members embody Ian Petrella (Randy), Zack Ward (Scut Farkus, he of the “yellow eyes”), Scott Schwartz (Flick) and R.D. Robb (Schwartz).
Notable: “B&B Merry”
Sunday, Dec. 4 (8 p.m.)
Famend luxurious journey blogger Tracey Moore (Jen Lilley) is invited to a Christmastime getaway in change for reviewing a small-town B&B — the place, naturally, she falls for the proprietor’s son, Graham (Jesse Hutch).
Sunday, December 4, 8 p.m. ET
VH1/Comedy Central/Paramount Community
Notable: “All I Didn’t Need For Christmas”
Wednesday, Dec. 7 (8 p.m.) on VH1
Emily, who’s making an attempt to enhance her life and circumstances, writes a letter to Santa — and, wouldn’t you already know it, her “wine-soaked” needs begin coming true (though she will be able to’t keep in mind most of them). Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Lorette Devine, Kel Mitchell, Karen Knox and Andrew Bushell.
Notable: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”
Sunday, Dec. 25
The animated movie relies on Charlie Mackesy’s e-book of the identical title, which follows the journey and the unlikely frienship of a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse touring collectively within the boy’s seek for house. Stars embody Tom Hollander, Idris Elba, Gabriel Byrne and Jude Coward (as The Boy).
Notable: “Christmas in Wolf Creek”
Sunday, Dec. 25 (7 p.m.)
A runaway reindeer threatens the annual Christmas play — and a struggling younger couple should work collectively to save lots of Christmas for the city, and for one another. Starring Tim Rozon, Nola Martin, Artwork Hindle and Madeline Leon.
Notable: “The Nice Nickmas Tree Sliming … Hosted by That Woman Lay Lay”
Thursday, Dec. 15 (7 p.m.)
When Lay Lay unintentionally zaps Santa’s sleigh out of the sky, it seems like Christmas will probably be cancelled — except she and her celeb pals (together with Drew Barrymore, Keke Palmer and Hayley Kiyoko) assist Santa repair the sleigh to ship presents. Nick stars making appearances embody Isaiah Crews, Younger Dylan and the forged of “Hazard Pressure.”
Notable: “A Christmas Open Home”
Wednesday, Dec. 7 (10 p.m.)
Atlanta property stager Melissa Norwood (Katie Stevens) groups up along with her previous highschool crush, actual property agent David Phelps (Victor Rasuk), to arrange and promote her mother’s house earlier than the vacations — helped by native artists Henry and Sarah Wright (HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier.)
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