FOX - Christmas 2011 - Various Shows - Press Release

FOX OFFERS SEASON’S GREETINGS WITH A FESTIVE FEAST OF NEW AND RETURNING HOLIDAY FAVORITES

Baby, it’s cold outside. So, this season, FOX is decking the halls with holiday-themed programming that is sure to warm the hearts of kids from one to ninety two. First, gobble up all-new animated specials ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) and HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (8:30-9:30 PM ET/PT) Thanksgiving night, Thursday, Nov. 24. The merriment continues Sunday, Dec. 11 with a night of all-new holiday-themed animation including The Cleveland Show (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT), THE Simpsons (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), Family Guy (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and American Dad (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), as well as the season finale of Allen Gregory (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT). On Tuesday, Dec. 13, celebrate Christmas early with all-new holiday installments of Glee (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT), New Girl (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) and Raising Hope (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT).

And stay up late with FOX to watch the ball drop New Year’s Eve on NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE ’11, Saturday, Dec. 31 (11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed).

Make your winter a wonderland with the following holiday-themed programs on FOX:

Tuesday, Nov. 15

New Girl (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) – “Thanksgiving” (all-new)
Jess (Zooey Deschanel) invites Paul (guest star Justin Long), a music teacher at her school on whom she always has had a crush, over to the loft for Thanksgiving. But dinner goes awry when Jess tries to cook, and Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) pitch in.

Raising Hope (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Burt’s Parents” (all-new)
Jimmy (Lucas Neff), Virginia (Martha Plimpton), Burt (Garret Dillahunt), Sabrina (Shannon Woodward), Maw Maw (Cloris Leachman) and Hope (Baylie and Rylie Cregut) borrow a house to impress Burt’s wealthy parents (guest stars Lee Majors and Shirley Jones) who have decided at the last minute to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family. Things get interesting when the real homeowners return early, and Burt’s folks get a taste of what life is really like for Burt and Virginia.

Sunday, Nov. 20

The Cleveland Show (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) – “Another Bad Thanksgiving”
In an encore episode, Donna’s (Sanaa Lathan) sister Janet (guest voice Niecy Nash), and her unruly children come to town to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Browns. But when Janet falls for Holt (Jason Sudeikis), and they run away to elope in Las Vegas, Cleveland (Mike Henry), the Brown-Tubbs clan, and Janet’s kids follow.

The Cleveland Show (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) – “A General Thanksgiving Episode” (all-new)
Will Arnett guest-voices on an all-new Thanksgiving-themed episode that also features an original song performed by Rallo (Mike Henry) and Holt. When Holt misses his plane to Florida for Thanksgiving, he reveals that he wasn’t even invited to his estranged family’s holiday dinner. To help him get over his Thanksgiving blues, Rallo invites Holt’s father (guest voice Arnett) over for the holidays which ends up making Holt’s family relationship worse. Meanwhile, Cleveland tries to open an airport bar but ends up drunk and flying a stolen airplane.

Family Guy (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Thanksgiving” (all-new)
Lois (Alex Borstein) cooks a big Thanksgiving meal and invites the whole crew over for dinner, and Joe (guest voice Patrick Warburton) is shocked when his formerly M.I.A. son, Kevin Swanson (guest voice Scott Grimes), returns from Iraq.

Thursday, Nov. 24

After the last bit of pumpkin pie is gone, sit down with the family for two all-new animated specials including:

ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) (all-new)

America’s favorite arctic herd is busy decorating for the holiday season. In his rush to help, Sid (John Leguizamo) destroys Manny’s (Ray Romano) favorite decorations. Manny is so upset he convinces Sid he is now on Santa’s naughty list. Sid, Crash (Seann William Scott), Eddie (Josh Peck) and Peaches (Ciara Bravo) take off for the North Pole to plead their case to Santa (Billy Gardell). Meanwhile, Manny, Ellie (Queen Latifah) and Diego (Denis Leary), worry over Peaches’ safety and race to find her. Back at the North Pole, Sid and his crew accidentally destroy Santa’s Workshop on Christmas Eve, and it’s up to these newfound friends to orchestrate a Christmas miracle. An encore airs Friday, Dec. 16 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT).

HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (8:30-9:30 PM ET/PT) (all-new)

The Peanuts gang is back and ready to help Linus (Austin Lux) break away from his childhood security blanket. The stakes are high as Linus learns his grandmother is coming to visit, and he must decide whether or not to dispose of his most cherished possession. In an effort to help Linus kick his habit, Charlie Brown (Trenton Rogers), Lucy (Grace Rolek) and even Snoopy pitch in to help. Lucy is quick to attempt her amateur psychiatric skills, while Snoopy employs the age old drag-and-run method. Despite all attempts, Linus eventually learns that security is a valuable quality in life and everyone is entitled to their own version of a security blanket. An encore airs Friday, Dec. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

THE Simpsons (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “The Fight Before Christmas”
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Springfield. But while Marge (Julie Kavner) gets in the holiday spirit, it’s bah humbug for Homer (Dan Castellaneta) and the rest of the family. So Marge sends a letter to Martha Claus (guest voice Martha Stewart) to help her save the family Christmas. Also, the Simpsons get ready to sneak away for a tropical holiday vacation in Hawaii, but surprise visitors Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) and Moe’s (Hank Azaria) new friend, Katy Perry (guest-starring as herself in a special live-action sequence) delay their getaway.



Friday, Nov. 25

FOX MOVIE SPECIAL: IRON MAN (8:00-10:30 PM ET/PT)

Grab some Thanksgiving leftovers and watch the network premiere of IRON MAN, in which Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, an affluent playboy who happens to be a prodigy in engineering. After a near-fatal experience in Afghanistan, Stark is forced to build an armored suit to protect himself against his abductors. When he returns home to the U.S., he finds out that his second-in-command at Stark industries, Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), has been peddling weapons to the insurgents. So he uses the technology from his new suit to return to Afghanistan to get rid of the arms and fight against evil.

Saturday, Dec. 10

COPS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #9” (all-new)

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sets up an undercover operation in which a police officer posing as a taxi cab driver searches for prostitutes working in the city. Then, officers of the Amarillo Police Department in Amarillo, TX, pull over a car that is stopped suspiciously. When police approach the car, they discover the driver and a woman in a compromising position. Finally, back in Las Vegas, the police department works on a reverse prostitution case where undercover officers pose as prostitutes to arrest people soliciting.

COPS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #8”

When an officer from the Amarillo Police Department in Texas approaches a woman on the street about her suspicious late-night behavior, the interaction turns into a chase on foot. Meanwhile, in Hillsborough County, FL, officers on late-night patrol team up to respond to a call regarding an unseemly transaction at a local motel, in an encore episode.

Sunday, Dec. 11

Animation Domination rules the holidays with a night of seasonally-themed programming and the season finale of Allen Gregory:

The Cleveland Show (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) – “A Murray Christmas”

Rallo’s teacher forces him to spend the weekend at a retirement home, where he meets Murray (guest voice Carl Reiner), who opens his eyes to the holiday of Hanukkah.



The Cleveland Show (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) – “Die Semi-Hard” (all-new)

To help pass time while posing in a holiday nativity scene, Cleveland tells his family his own version of one of his favorite holiday stories, “Die Hard.” In Cleveland’s version, when Waterman Cable Company is taken hostage on Christmas Eve by a group of terrorists, including Tim the Bear (Seth MacFarlane), Lester (Kevin Michael Richardson), Federline (Jamie Kennedy) and Kendra (Aseem Batra), a barefoot Cleveland – wearing a tank-top much like the one Bruce Willis wore in the movie – must endure window-shattering shoot-outs and fist fights with his friends to save his wig-wearing wife, Donna, in a parody of the greatest holiday-themed blockbuster movie ever told. Don’t miss an encore Christmas night, Sunday, Dec. 25 (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT).



THE Simpsons (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “Holidays of Future Passed” (all-new)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and THE Simpsons flash-forward thirty years to find themselves in a tech-savvy, futuristic Springfield. Bart (Nancy Cartwright) and Lisa (Yeardley Smith) have children of their own and decide to spend the holidays as one big family at Homer and Marge’s house. Lisa and Bart turn to Homer and Marge for parenting advice and begin to realize that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Don’t miss encores Friday, Dec. 16 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Christmas night, Sunday, Dec. 25 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).



Allen Gregory (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Van Moon Rising” (season finale)

In the season finale, the persistent and pompous Allen Gregory (Jonah Hill) bribes Principal Gottlieb (Renee Taylor) into a romantic situation in hopes of bringing them closer together. Meanwhile, Richard (French Stewart) uses Julie (Joy Osmanski) in an attempt to compete with his frenemy’s adopted child.



Family Guy (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Grumpy Old Man” (all-new)

It’s winter in Quahog, and Lois’ (Alex Borstein) parents, Carter (Seth MacFarlane) and Babs (Borstein), take Stewie (MacFarlane) away on a trip. But when Carter falls asleep at the wheel, the family decides it might be time for him to retire. Peter (MacFarlane) and Lois take the clan to Florida to check out some fine retirement communities, but Carter refuses to go down without a fight. Don’t miss an encore Christmas night, Sunday, Dec. 25 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT).



American Dad (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Season’s Beatings” (all-new)

Father Donovan (guest voice Martin Mull) holds a Christmas play at the mall and casts Stan (Seth MacFarlane) as Santa Claus and Roger (MacFarlane) as Jesus. But after the two get in a fight and cause a scene, Stan is kicked out of the church. Meanwhile, Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane) and Jeff (guest voice Jeff Fischer) adopt a child who turns out to be possessed.



Tuesday, Dec. 13

Glee, New Girl and Raising Hope offer all-new holiday episodes including:



Glee (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) – To Be Announced (all-new)

McKinley High’s Glee club is in the holiday spirit and ready to ring in the New Year.



New Girl (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) – “Christmas” (all-new)

The gang attends Schmidt’s holiday office party and Jess frets when she receives an expensive gift from Paul (guest star Justin Long).



Raising Hope (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “It’s a Hopeful Life” (all-new)

In a nod to the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the Chances go to the movies and are surprised when they discover that the film they’re watching is strikingly similar to their own family life. Meanwhile, Jimmy is transported into a cinematic dreamlike state and experiences the world as though he never met Hope’s serial killer mom Lucy (guest star Bijou Phillips). But when he returns to reality, he soon realizes that life without Hope would not be nearly as sweet.



Sunday, Dec. 18

Family Guy (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Road to the North Pole”

It’s a fairly well-known fact that Stewie loves Christmas almost as much as he loves his teddy bear, Rupert. So, when he hears that Santa Claus is making an appearance at the local mall, he’s got to go.



Saturday, Dec. 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE ’11 (11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed) (all-new)

Count down the final moments of 2011 while watching the ultimate year-end bash, set to feature the year’s chart-topping musical guests. As 2012 nears, FOX cameras will capture every electrifying moment both from Las Vegas and the heart of New York City as the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball makes its descent into Times Square. NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE is executive-produced by Bob Bain, produced by Paul Flattery and directed by Michael Dempsey.





FOX 2011 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

(All times ET/PT except as noted)

Tuesday, Nov. 15
9:01-9:31 PM New Girl – “Thanksgiving”
9:31-10:00 PM Raising Hope – “Burt’s Parents”

Sunday, Nov. 20
7:00-7:30 PM The Cleveland Show – “Another Bad Thanksgiving” (encore)
7:30-8:00 PM The Cleveland Show – “A General Thanksgiving Episode”
9:00-9:30 PM Family Guy – “Thanksgiving”

Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 24
8:00-8:30 PM ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS
8:30-9:30 PM HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN
9:30-10:00 PM THE Simpsons – “The Fight Before Christmas” (encore)

Friday, Nov. 25
8:00-10:30 PM FOX MOVIE SPECIAL: IRON MAN

Saturday, Dec. 10
8:00-8:30 PM COPS – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #9”
8:30-9:00 PM COPS – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #8” (encore)



Sunday, Dec. 11
7:00-7:30 PM The Cleveland Show – “A Murray Christmas” (encore)
7:30-8:00 PM The Cleveland Show – “Die Semi-Hard”
8:00-8:30 PM THE Simpsons – “Holidays of Future Passed”
8:30-9:00 PM Allen Gregory – “Van Moon Rising” (season finale)
9:00-9:30 PM Family Guy – “Grumpy Old Man”
9:30-10:00 PM American Dad – “Season’s Beatings”

Tuesday, Dec. 13
8:00-9:01 PM Glee – To Be Announced
9:01-9:31 PM New Girl – “Christmas”
9:31-10:00 PM Raising Hope – “It’s a Hopeful Life”

Friday, Dec. 16
8:00-9:00 PM HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (encore)
9:00-9:30 PM ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (encore)
9:30-10:00 PM THE Simpsons – “Holidays of Future Passed” (encore)

Sunday, Dec. 18
9:00-10:00 PM Family Guy – “Road to the North Pole” (encore)

Saturday, Dec. 31
11:00 PM-12:30 AM NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE ’11

Source: SpoilerTV