Happy
Holidays!
A
month of special programs on TV12
The
holidays are here, and WHYY presents a mix of new specials and
vintage shows on TV12 that is sure to make your spirits bright!
Be sure to check back each week to find out what's new and when
you can catch your favorite programs.
Monday,
December 20
Keeping
Up Appearances "1991 Christmas Special"
Hyacinth
convinces Richard to dress up as Father Christmas for the church
social, but when he and Emmet get tipsy while partaking of a
little too much holiday cheer, Hyacinth winds up kissing someone
completely unexpected under the mistletoe. 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday,
December 21
Heart
of the Holidays
Families
around the Delaware Valley share their thoughts about the many
different holiday traditions celebrated at this time of year.
1 a.m.
Are
You Being Served? "Christmas Crackers"
In an
attempt to boost holiday sales at Grace Brothers, the staff
of the ladies and gentlemen's departments dresses up in festive
costumes. 7:30 p.m.
Mystery
of the Three Kings
The program
reveals the facts behind the biblical story of the Three Wise
Men, who came to offer the baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense,
and myrrh. Combining interviews with scholars, dramatic recreations
and breathtaking location footage, the program brings to life
the joy and mystery surrounding the events of Christ's birth.
8 p.m. (R/Wed., 22nd, 1 a.m.)
A
Bucknell Candlelight Christmas
This special
holiday service in the beautiful Rooke Chapel on the Bucknell
University campus opens with the traditional procession of candles
and tells the story of Christ's birth through Scripture readings
and music from the Rooke Chapel Choir and Rooke Chapel Ringers.
9 p.m.
Wednesday,
December 22
 Christmas
with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
American
mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel
join the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Salt Lake
City's Temple Square for a majestic concert of sacred and secular
holiday songs, including "Joy to the World," "Hark,
The Herald Angels Sing" and "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful."
The concert also features performances of international carols
from England, Wales, Nigeria, Austria, and France and a reading
of the Christmas story from the Gospel of St. Luke.
8 p.m. (R/Fri., 24th, 1 a.m. & Sat.,
25th, 10 a.m.)
 The
Nutcracker From The Royal Ballet
Staged
at London's Covent Garden Opera House, this Great
Performances production of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet
stars Ivan Putrov as The Nutcracker, Alina Cojocaru as Clara
and Miyako Yoshida as the Sugar Plum Fairy, with new choreography
by Sir Peter Wright. 9 p.m.
Thursday,
December 23
The
Spirit of Christmas
Now an
annual tradition on TV12, this charming production from 1962
features the incredibly lifelike Mabel Beaton marionettes performing
"The Night Before Christmas" and "The Christmas
Story." 7:30 p.m.
 The
Great Philadelphia Christmas Present
This
vintage WHYY special highlights some memorable Delaware Valley
yuletide celebrations, including one South Philadelphia neighborhood's
holiday lights display and the annual light show at the Lord
& Taylor department store in Center City (pictured). Photo:
Bob Krist © 2000; Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
9 p.m.
Philadelphia
Christmas Past
This
special WHYY production recalls regional holiday traditions
from years gone by, including the Lit Brothers' Enchanted Colonial
Village and the monorail and Toyland at the old John Wanamaker
department store. 10 p.m.
Friday,
December 24
Arthur's
Perfect Christmas
Arthur,
his sister D.W. and their friends make plans for "perfect"
Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa celebrations full of spectacular
gifts and festive parties, but things don't go as smoothly as
anticipated: Arthur's gift to his mother is accidentally broken,
Muffy and Francine wind up feuding, and Binkie bakes some inedible
holiday treats. The story has a happy ending, however, as the
gang learns valuable lessons about the true meaning of the holidays.
7:30 a.m. (R/Sat., 25th, 8 a.m.)
Barney's
Christmas Star
Barney
and his friends are trimming the Christmas tree in the community
park when they realize the antique star for the top of the tree
is missing! The gang decides to go "Over the River and
Through the Woods" to Grammy's attic to look for the star,
where they discover all sorts of treasures, including classic
toys and an old-fashioned typewriter that is perfect for writing
a letter to Santa. After reenacting the classic poem "The
Night Before Christmas," they gather around the tree to
sing their favorite yuletide songs. 9:30 a.m.
Elmo's World
Happy Holidays
Guest
star Kelly Ripa and a cast of colorful Sesame Street
characters help Elmo discover what the celebrations of Christmas,
Chanukah and Kwanzaa have in common in this holiday special.
Elmo also journeys to the North Pole, where Santa has some expert
advice to help Elmo find the perfect gift for his pet goldfish
Dorothy. 10:05 a.m. (R/Sat., 25th,
7 a.m.)
The
Susquehanna University's Artist Series Presents: A Christmas
Masterworks IV
Backed
by a full orchestra, 120 Susquehanna University faculty members
and students perform Handel's Messiah, Leroy Anderson's
Christmas Festival Overture and several familiar carols,
including "The First Noel," "I Saw Three Ships"
and "Deck the Halls," in this concert from the campus's
Weber Chapel. 3:30 p.m.
The
Susquehanna University's Christmas Candlelight Service
The university's
Festival Choir, Chamber Singers, Handbell Choir and Brass Quintet
provide the musical accompaniment for this traditional Christmas
service featuring sacred readings, songs, and prayers, all performed
by the light of 1,700 candles in Weber Chapel. 4:30
p.m.
A
Brandywine Christmas Carol
In this
local holiday favorite hosted by John Bleasdale, the University
of Delaware Chorale sings holiday classics at Wilmington's historic
Grace United Methodist Church. 5:30 p.m.
Jack
Benny Christmas Special "Jack Benny Goes Christmas Shopping"
Thrifty
Jack drives a department store salesman crazy while he does
his holiday shopping. Mel Blanc, best known as the voice of
Bugs Bunny, stars as the salesman. 7:30 p.m.
Christmas At
The Hollywood Palace
This
brand-new special presents some of the greatest holiday moments
from the lavish 1960s variety show Hollywood Palace ,
starring Bing Crosby and his family with legendary crooner Perry
Como, singer Diahann Carol and comedian John Byner. The program
features 15 complete and uncut musical performances (unseen
since their original broadcasts); exclusive new interviews with
Bing's wife Kathryn and children Harry and Mary; and rare bloopers.
8 p.m.
Christmas
Classics
We agree
that procrastinators should not be rewarded, but WHYY can't
help giving these sorry souls a bit of Christmas cheer! If you
find yourself up late on Christmas Eve wrapping gifts (and even
if your presents are already under the tree and you're just
keeping an eye out for Santa's sleigh), be sure catch these
Christmas classics on TV12: The Spirit of Christmas; Dragnet
Christmas Special "The Big Little Jesus"; Ozzie &
Harriet "Christmas Show"; and Christmas At the Hollywood
Palace. 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday,
December 25
L.A.
Holiday Celebration 2004
This
annual special reflects the multitude of holiday traditions
celebrated in Los Angeles's diverse neighborhoods through dance,
voice and music, with more than 1,000 artists of African, Asian,
European and Latino backgrounds joining together on one stage
to express the joy of the season . 9 a.m.
Christmas
at Baylor
The
performing ensembles of Baylor University celebrate the season
in this special concert featuring favorite holiday songs, including
"O Holy Night."
11 a.m.
The Lawrence
Welk Show "Christmas Show"
Singer
Sandi Griffiths hosts this Christmas Show from 1980, with special
appearances by her children in the past and the present. The
show opens with "Jingle Bells"; Myron Floren plays
"Here Comes Santa Claus" for his son-in-law, Bobby
Burgess and for his granddaughter, Becky Burgess; and the Griffiths
family, including Sandi, Jenni, Ami and Ben, sing "Away
in the Manger." The show also includes a duet of "Silent
Night" by Guy and Ralna. 7 p.m.
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