ABC, NBC, And CBS Offer Extra Helpings Of Thanksgiving Week TV Specials
Just as the classic Thanksgiving meal is full of tradition, so are the choices for network viewing once you’ve had your fill of turkey and relatives. However, a few surprises do turn up every so often. Here is what you can look forward to for Thanksgiving week.
Wednesday, November 23
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – 8 p.m. on ABC
This half-hour special ranks right up there just behind A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown channels every American housewife when Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends to Charlie’s house for Thanksgiving even though the only thing he knows how to make is popcorn “and maybe toast.”
Macy’s 90th Thanksgiving Day Parade Special – 8 p.m. on NBC
This year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade turns 90, and NBC gives a one-hour tribute to the event with the telling of the parade’s history and showing clips from some of the most iconic events that have occurred during the parade over the years.
SNL Thanksgiving 2016 – 9 p.m. on NBC
Saturday Night Live’s annual feast of Thanksgiving-themed skits. It’s a cornucopia of silliness with comedy sketches from previous years.
Thursday, November 24
Macy’s 90th Thanksgiving Day Parade – 9 a.m. on NBC
The famed three-hour Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be hosted by Today show hosts Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker. Special performances and appearances include the Muppets, Tony Bennett, Sarah McLachlan, Grace VanderWaal, the Radio City Rockettes, and others. Select Broadway musical numbers presented include music from Cats, Holiday Inn, The New Irving Berlin Musical, and a preview of the upcoming Hairspray Live! Oh, and there is the parade itself as well.
The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS – 9 a.m. on CBS
The is CBS’s 56th year presenting their take on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The hosts and special guests have not been announced at this time.
National Dog Show – 12 noon on NBC
The 15th-anniversary edition of The National Dog Show features John O’Hurley as host. American Kennel Club judge David Frei will give expert analysis, May Carillo will report by the benching area, and Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir will offer up behind-the-scenes reporting.
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration – 8 p.m. on ABC
Dancing with the Stars siblings, Derek and Julianne Hough will host this new two-hour special recorded from the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida with special guests Sofia Carson, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, and others.
Friday, November 25
Frosty the Snowman – 8 p.m. on CBS
The classic 1969 animated special by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. tells the story of a snowman who comes to life when a magical hat is placed on his head. This causes children to follow him like the pied piper and evil magicians wanting to get their hat back. The story is told by Jimmy Durante.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – 8 p.m. on ABC
The 1970 classic stop-motion animation production by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. features Fred Astaire as the storyteller. The one-hour special tells the origin story of Santa Claus.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas – 8 p.m. on NBC
The Chuck Jones original animated special about Dr. Seuss’ tale of a scary and hairy green monster who attempts to steal Christmas by stealing everything from the town of Whoville and then comes to realize the error of his ways when his heart grows three times its size.
Frosty Returns – 8:30 p.m. on CBS
Jonathan Winters narrates this special that was meant to serve as a sequel to the original Frosty TV special, but it was created completely independent of the original Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. TV special.
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Saturday, November 26
The Story of Santa Claus — 9 p.m. on CBS
Ed Asner, Betty White, and Tim Curry lent their voices to this animated tale the explains the origin story of Santa Claus beginning when he was just a lowly toymaker.
[Featured Image by Mario Tama/Getty Images]
