Today's Entertainment

Magic on the air Networks air sleighload of holiday faves By Kyla Brewer TV Media T he holidays are a time for loved ones, and friends old and new to come to- gether. Critics may claim tele- vision doesn’t fit into that pic- ture of a traditional Christmas, but holiday programming gives viewers the opportunity to share in Yuletide tales. Whether they yearn for heartwarming classic movies or silly animated specials, there’s something for every- one as families gather with bowls of popcorn and Christ- mas treats to revel in holiday shows. The networks are rolling out their sig- nature specials -- such as CBS’s touching “A Home for the Holidays” adoption special on Wednesday, Dec. 22 -- and more than a few new favorites, such as NBC’s “Satur- day Night Live: A Very Gilly Christmas” on Tuesday, Dec. 21, and “Disney’s Prep and Landing,” airing on ABC Christmas Eve. In fact, it’s ABC, traditional- ly home to such holiday offer- ings as “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” that leads the pack with a variety of special fare in the lead-up to Christ- mas Day. Tim Allen fans are in for a treat on Dec. 19 as the net- We Pay $$$ For Kids Stuff! Children’s Clothing - Newborn to youth size 16 Furniture and Equipment Toys, Books and More! Payment on the spot for all items accepted No appointment Necessary Once Upon a Child 1 x 3” WalMart Plaza on US 33W (behind Steak ‘n Shake) Goshen • 574-830-5332 Open M-F 10-8 • Sat. 10-6 • Sun. 12-5 5936 Grape Road (Indian Ridge near Hacienda) Mishawaka • 574-247-1099 work airs both “The Santa Clause 2” (2002), which airs again on Christmas Eve, and “The Santa Clause 3: The Es- cape Clause” (2007). Those longing for a little wintry mag- ic can enjoy the artistry of ice skating as the alpha-network presents the two-part season finale of “Skat- ing with the Stars,” airing Dec. 20 and 21. The night before Christmas Eve, it’s a double dose of the Grinch with the classic 1966 animated version of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” airing just before the big-screen feature film from 2000 starring Jim Carrey. Things get animated again as revellers settle in for a long winter’s nap on Christmas Eve with “Disney’s Prep and Land- ing,” a story about an elite unit of elves; and “Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vaca- tion,” based on the Disney Channel show. All of the Yuletide program- ming leads up to the big mo- ment as ABC presents “Dis- ney Parks Christmas Day Parade.” Given the network’s affiliation with Disney, the program has be- come an annual tradition, going strong since 1983 (the only exception oc- curred in the year 2000, when the network opt- ed to air a “Track- ing Santa” spe- cial instead). A highly antici- Faith Hill performs in last year’s “A Home for the Holidays” special on CBS pated event for many families, the parade follows a route down Walt Disney World’s Main Street U.S.A., and often includes segments from other Payroll Processing • Direct Deposit • Free Delivery • Professional, Yet Competitively Priced Lucks & Weaver 2 x 3” Please Visit One Of Our Convenient Locations: 157 S. Main St. • Nappanee, IN 46550 • p. 574.773.4611 719 E. Bristol St. • Elkhart, IN 46514 • p. 574.264.0395 204 W. Lincoln • Goshen, IN 46526 • p. 574.534.7325 905 S. Huntington • Syracuse, IN 46567 • p. 574.457.4226 Disney resorts. In addition to classic cartoon characters, the spectacle features celebrities, marching bands and musical performances. Taped Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4, this year’s two- hour presentation will feature appearances by several stars, including Mickey Mouse and his pals, of course. Selena Gomez, star of the Disney se- ries “Wizards of Waverly Place,” will perform alongside host Nick Cannon and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy from Disney- land Resort. Cannon’s wife, Mariah Carey, has also agreed to share her vocal stylings with the Disney crew. CBS brings its own holiday tradition to the table with “A Home for the Holidays,” airing Wednesday, Dec. 22. During the one-hour program, celebrities and families share stories of adoption, hoping to inspire others to reach out to children in need. The special has attracted the attention of top-name stars in previous editions. Past perform- ers include Faith Hill, Reba McEntire and Carrie Under- wood, while celebs such as Nia Vardolos and Jenna Elfman have shared stories of adop- tion. Many stars who have par- ticipated in past specials have had their own connection to adoption, such as last year’s standout, rock/rap star Michael Franti, himself an adoptee. Promising another year of all-star talent, 2010’s “A Home for the Holidays” is presented by the Dave Thomas Founda- tion for Adoption and the Chil- dren’s Action Network. Game show hosts Drew Car- ey and Wayne Brady also get in on the holiday fun with Christ- mas versions of their CBS day- time offerings “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal,” respectively. Both long- running game shows are slated to air special episodes on Christmas Eve. NBC serves up some holiday game show action as well with a Twelve Days of Christmas ver- sion of “Minute to Win It” on Tuesday, Dec. 21. They follow it up with the modern-day classic comedy special “Saturday Night Live: A Very Gilly Christ- mas.” 2 The Goshen News • Viewer’s Choice • Saturday, December 18, 2010 - Friday, December 24, 2010 Laughs Late The Tonight Show: Jay Leno There’s a Nerf automatic dart gun that fires 60 darts in 20 seconds. Our kids are so fat now that it takes 60 darts to take them down! It’s my 30th wedding anniversary. I had a big surprise set up for my wife, but she found out about it on WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks has released thousands of classified documents that could be detrimental to the United States. Usually when something this embarrassing about the United States is revealed, it’s because Joe Biden said it. Federal workers have had their pay frozen for two years. The worst part is that the workers found out on WikiLeaks. Live: Jimmy Kimmel If you’re a turkey or a sweet potato, congratulations on making it through the Thanksgiving weekend alive! It turns out that it’s not the turkey that makes you sleepy -- it’s being drunk at 4 p.m. on a Thursday. Black Friday is getting crazier every year. On Thanksgiving Thursday, we give thanks for the truly meaningful things. And then on Friday, we go out and stab each other to save $6.99 on a Nintendo DS. Tiki Tan 2 x 1” APARTMENTS Orchard Park Farms APARTMENTS 2 Bedroom $600 • 1 Bedroom $495 $99 Move-In and $35 application for 1st person, $25 for 2nd 903 Bison Ridge Nappanee, IN 46550 574-773-2353 $150 Pet Deposit • $20 a month Pet Rent Crabtree Court A/Bison Ridge 2 x 2.5” Wakarusa, IN 46573 574-862-3101

• Cover