Hope in a Bottle

While everyone is preparing for their Thanksgiving meal tomorrow night, I want to help raise awareness in the efforts to help fight the world’s leading health crisis – the lack of clean water and sanitation in developing countries.



With the help of CamelBak water bottles, Water.org has developed a limited edition, reusable, environmentally friendly water bottle this holiday season that can only be purchased at gift.Water.org. 100% of the profits go to support the one billion people suffering from the unsafe water crisis.

Hope in a Bottle gives you the chance to give a meaningful and original gift for the holidays while giving clean water to someone in need. Everyone who buys a bottle will receive a link that invites them to follow the progress of a community that their purchase is going to help.



Cholera is spreading in Haiti as you read this and you have the opportunity to directly contribute to resolving this crisis! 600 people have died already of Cholera in Haiti and that's not all.

Here are some of the alarming facts about this grave crisis, and you can find more information about the crisis here:

* Nearly a billion people have no access to clean water and over two and a half billion don’t have proper sanitation
* Water borne diseases kill 9,000 people every day; one every ten seconds, mostly small children.
* That’s more lives claimed each year by water related diseases than by guns and wars.
* Only one in three people in the world have a toilet. More have cell phones.
* Millions of children miss school. Countless people live without dignity or the chance to lead productive lives. Communities all over the world have no economic opportunity.
* In many countries, the impact is felt most deeply by women who gather water, care for stricken children, and cope with the ramifications of this life crushing burden.

So what are you waiting for? The best gift there is...it's giving. So help people help themselves. Help out a community in need of survival. It truly is the perfect gift this season.


Remember to like Water.org on Facebook and follow Water.org on Twitter.

Characters Unite

On Monday, November 29th, in support of the Characters Unite Campaign, USA is encouraging everyone to participate in our Characters Unite profile takeover.

The Characters Unite Campaign is a movement committed to combating intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and hate, and to promoting greater acceptance, understanding and mutual respect.



Donate your Facebook or Twitter profile to the Characters Unite campaign and let all of your Friends, Fans, and Followers know that you support a tolerant, more understanding USA.

USA has pledged to donate $1 for every pledge made over the next four weeks. You can do your part to help raise money to fight intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and hate by taking the pledge here.

The Pledge:
“As a character of the USA, I pledge to stand against intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and hate, and to promote greater understanding and acceptance. I believe life is richer and we are stronger as a country when we see beyond stereotypes and appreciate each other for the characters we are. After all, characters are what make us, USA.”

Interview: Harvey Guillen After Huge

This past summer, ABC Family aired one of the most ground breaking shows on television, Huge.

Funny, heartbreaking and provocative, Huge follows the lives of seven teens and the staff at a weight-loss camp, as they look beneath the surface to discover their true selves and the truth about each other.

Unfortunately, Huge was ahead of its time (ironic given the state America is in right now) but the ratings were not well enough to keep the show on the air. So after speaking with Harvey Guillen right after the show premiered, watching the entire series, and feeling bittersweet...I was able to talk with Harvey once more about life after Huge.

Check it out:



So what were the last few days of filming like on set?
The last few days on set were bittersweet because we didn't know at the time where we stood with ABC Family. It was nice because we all wanted to be together during the last few days, so even if we weren't scheduled to come in, we could in. It was very laid back and it was just a great feeling of accomplishment. We accomplished so much in the ten episodes. There was really a positive energy on the set the last couple of days, as it was every day just moreso in the last couple of days.

Do you see yourself working on another show for young people?
It was great working with the whole cast, everyone was just so young and full of energy and that's the kind of show that I love to be part of. The next project will hopefully be the same thing though I also wouldn't mind playing a 22 or 25 year old. I couldn't play someone too much older since I look pretty young. (laughs)

Are you interested in continuing to play more realistic roles or would you be interested in say sci fi or more imaginative roles?
Yeah, absolutely! The old cast went out auditioning for other projects once we were told that Huge wasn't coming back because you want to go out for other projects while you're still memorable. Even though it was short lived, it built such a great opportunity to meet the people that we have and such.

So much positive energy came out of this. You know it's a shame that it was cut short especially with what is going on right now with bullying. The timing was so bad for the show not to continue but I'm thankful for ABC Family for actually making the first ten episodes happen. It was an honor and a gift to be able to do this for ten episodes.

So what did you not expect to get out of this experience of working on a TV series?
Well this show, it's all so realistic and our characters had so many layers. So it was interesting to unpeel the onion so to speak and find another layer. Also just watching the people on set and watching the way they communicated...just little things like that. Working with Gina Torres and Eric Stoltz was an honor. From this experience, I took away the relationships and what I learned from those people.

Any interest in working in any shows or plays in not just LA but NY too?
Absolutely. Because of the things that are coming up, I can't go out to New York long term right now but I'd love to do theatre. A lot of people have said, "I could totally see you on Glee" and I know that everybody and their mother is trying to getting on Glee but Glee is what I grew up doing so yeah, I'd love to be on Glee. That was my life growing up in high school so doing that would be amazing.

Last time we spoke, you mentioned that Wicked was one of your favorite productions. There have been rumors that Lea Michele is up for the role of Elphaba. Who do you want to see in the lead as Elphaba?
For a Wicked movie, well it's so funny because I want to have the original Idina Menzel in the film. So maybe they could have Lea play the young Elphaba and Idina the adult Elphaba. I want to be Boq, the munchkin. (laughs)

Oprah recently taped The Sound of Music reunion but what original cast from a musical or musical movie would you want to see reunited?
As a big fan of Chicago, I'd have to say the cast of Chicago. You already said The Sound of Music so...The Wizard of Oz or Cabaret.

Lastly, I noticed your interest in film festivals on Twitter. So are you interested in working in indie films?
If the script is good and the role is perfect, I want to be play it. At the end of the day, you're still an actor and bringing characters to life whether you're doing it on a small budget or a million dollar budget. So for me, that's not a deal breaker.

Follow Harvey Guillen on Twitter.

DVD Review: Harry Potter 3 and 4 Ultimate Editions

This holiday season, conjure the gift of magic as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Editions have arrived on Blu-ray and DVD!

Created for fans of the world’s #1 film franchise, each Ultimate Edition features a new chapter of “Creating the World of Harry Potter,” a unique 8-hour documentary series with never-before-seen footage, intriguing stories and the definitive insider look behind the films. Each hour-long chapter deepens the relationship Harry Potter fans have with the movies and adds to their understanding of and connection to their favorite characters, creatures and more. “Creating the World of Harry Potter” is available exclusively in the Harry Potter Ultimate Editions.

Release Date: October 19, 2010
Rating: PG / PG-13
Running Time: 142 minutes / 157 minutes



Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition Special Features Disc 3:

Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 3: Creatures (1 hour 3 minutes) - Never-before-seen footage of the Creature Shop! Explore never revealed concept drawings, interviews with creators who describe the quest to create real creatures with emotional power to move the adventure forward. Go behind the scenes with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as they interact with a marvelous menagerie from magnificent Buckbeak to malevolent Dementors. Watch creatures develop from page to sketch to model to screen. Discover how actors are transformed from humans to rats and werewolves. Witness Voldemort’s evolution from grotesque, infant-like creature to the Darkest Force of all.

The feature begins with the cast and crew talking about how the creatures are grounded in reality as the interviews begin to evolve into much more. After a tour of Nick Dudman’s Creature Shop, the feature is broken into segments...the first being "Dragons, Acromantula and Basilisk." My favorite part about this discussion was the challenge of making Aragog, a talking spider not seem cheesy. Watching the troll dummie dance off set in pre-production was a highlight in the segment, "Grindylows, Mandrakes, Trolls and Cornish Pixies." If you want to learn a fun fact, you'll find out that the pixies are a reference to the film, Gremlins. Also, the hippogriff exists in folklore and mythology as J.K. Rowling mentions in the segment, "Hippogriff, Thestrals and Phoenix." I particularly found it astounding the extensive make up and prosthetics used for the elves, shown in the segment, "House-Elves, Goblins and Centaurs." Other segments include "Animagi and Werewolves" and "Lord Voldemort." Overall, this was a fabulous look into all that goes into creating the creatures of Harry Potter. It's really quite fascinating and no matter how many times you view this feature, you will always be blown away.

Appearing in this Special Feature:
Directors, Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, David Yates, and Mike Newell
Actors, Daniel Radcliffe, Warwick Davis, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Matthew Lewis, Robbie Coltrane, Jason Isaacs, Evanna Lynch, Toby Jones, Jason Piper, Timothy Spall, Dave Legeno
Production Designer, Stuart Craig
Animation Supervisor, Pablo Grillo
Special Makeup Effects Designer, Nick Dudman
Producers, David Barren and David Heyman
Visual Effects Producers, Emma Norton and Theresa R. Corrao
Concept Artists, Rob Bliss and Adam Brockbank
Visual Effects Supervisors, Tim Burke and Jim Mitchell
Sculptor, Chris Fitzgerald
Author, J.K. Rowling
Screenwriters, Steve Kloves and Michael Goldenberg

- Tour Nick Dudman's Creature Shop
- An Interview in Spanish with Alfonso Cuaron
- 3 Vintage TV Specials

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition Special Features Disc 2:
– Creating the Vision: an interview with J.K. Rowling and the filmmakers
- Conjuring a Scene: Creating Buckbeak and the Dementors for the screen
- Johnny Vaughan and the Shrunken Head Lead Raucous Interviews with the Cast
- Self Guided Tours of Honeydukes and Professor Lupin's Classroom
- Meet the Animal Trainers in Care of Creatures
- 3 Great Challenges

Inside Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition:
- 48-Page Creatures Photo Book
- Year 3 Lenticular Card
- Two Collectible Character Cards: Hermione Granger and Sirius Black
-Bonus Digital Copy of the Theatrical Film



Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition Special Features Disc 3:

Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4: Sound & Music (54:07 minutes) - For the first time, discover how musical themes for Harry, Hedwig, Luna and Lord Voldemort define each character’s identity. Learn how sound effects experts create the crunch of footsteps on snow and the whoosh of a flying broomstick. Visit recording studios and see how each composer brings his orchestral vision to the films. Plunge into fun as Daniel gets the sound of underwater. Feel the magic as music is added to a scene, intensifying the emotion and steering the story.

This feature will blow you away. As a lover of music, specifically the orchestra, I found this feature to be way more fascinating than the "Creatures" feature. This feature takes viewers inside he recording studio as each of the composers are directing and the massive orchestra playing. It is a beautiful sight to see as the feature gives a spotlight to each of the films' composers. The feature shifts from the scores to the sounds and afterwords intertwines. But as for the sound, it is interesting to hear the crew talk about using layers of different sounds in the wizarding world vs. using normal sounds in muggle world. You'll also see the crew around town recording their own sounds and hear them discuss not only the challenging scores and sounds but the delight in making their sounds affect the viewers' mood. The feature starts to come to an end once discussion of ADR (70% in this film) begins. After that, the feature comes round circle back to the orchestra recording at Abbey Road Studios and Air Studios - Lyndhurst Hall and the cast discussing "Hedwig's Theme." All of this truly is quite fascinating and far more complex than one might think, so I appreciate it very much that this feature was made for fans to see all that goes into making such legendary scores and out of this world sounds.

Appearing in this Special Feature:
Actors, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, Bonnie Wright, Jason Isaacs
Producers, David Barren and David Heyman
Composers, John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper
Orchestrators, James Shearman and Jeff Atmajian
Musician, Randy Kerber
Orchestrator Leader, Marcia Crayford
Re-recording Mixers, Stuart Hilliker and Mike Prestwood Smith
Supervising Sound Editor, James Mather
Sound Effects Editors, Andy Kennedy, Jon Olive, Jed Loughran, Martin Cantwell
Sound Designer, Richard Beggs
Directors, Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, and Mike Newell
Conductor & Adapter, William Ross
Foley Artist, Peter Burgis
Production Sound Mixer, Stuart Wilson
ADR Supervisor, Dan Laurie
Chorus Master, Terry Edwards

- 5 Vintage TV Specials

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition Special Features Disc 2:
– Preparing for the Yule Ball
- Conversations with the Cast
- Reflections on the Fourth Film
- Triwizard Tournament: Dragon Arena
- Triwizard Tournament: Lake
- Triwizard Tournament: Maze
- Additional Scenes

Inside Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition:
- 44-Page Creating the Sound & Music of Harry Potter Photo Book
- Two Collectible Character Cards: Ronald Weasley and Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody
- Year 4 Lenticular Card
- Bonus Digital Copy of the Theatrical Film

Own Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Editions on DVD today.

Watch Over the Holidays: V The Complete First Season

One of my favorite new series from last season, V returns with Season 2 on January 4, 2011!



In case you missed Season One or need to refresh your memory, V: The Complete First Season released on DVD earlier this month! I highly recommend this show and cannot wait for Season Two...and you will be anticipating Two just as much once you pick up Season One!

So what are you waiting for? The turkey is in the oven and it's not going anywhere, so go make a trip out to the store to pick up V. You won't be disappointed.

V Season 2 premieres Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 9/8c on ABC.

Blu-Ray Review: The Hangover Extreme Edition

Release Date: October 12, 2010
Rating: R
Running Time: 100 Minutes (Unrated Version: 108 Minutes)

From "Old School" director Todd Phillips comes a comedy about a bachelor party gone very, very wrong. Two days before his wedding, Doug (JUSTIN BARTHA) drives to Las Vegas with his best buddies Phil and Stu (BRADLEY COOPER and ED HELMS) and his future brother-in-law Alan (ZACH GALIFIANAKIS), for a blow-out bachelor party they vow they'll never forget. But when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning with pounding headaches, they can't remember a thing. Their luxury hotel suite is beyond trashed and the groom is nowhere to be found. With no clue about what happened and little time to spare, the trio must attempt to retrace their bad decisions from the night before in order to figure out where things went wrong in the hopes of finding Doug and getting him back to L.A. in time for his wedding. But the more they begin to uncover, the more they realize just how much trouble they're really in.

The Hangover was one of the funniest movies, if not the funniest movie of 2009. There is never a dull moment, even before the guys get to Las Vegas the script is packed with comedy. Not only that but the situations that the guys get themselves into aren't far fetched (the tiger, maybe, but aside from this) everything is completely believable while still being able to be incredibly shocking. But screenwriters, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore seem to be naturally good at that - watch their film, Four Christmases. What really makes the script shine though is the cast. Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, and Justin Bartha are comedy gold. This is noticeably the best casting that I have seen in a comedy in quite some time. They not only brought their characters to life but brought such originality to them that no one else could have done and the chemistry amongst these guys makes what unfold all the more hilarious. If you want to laugh, put this film in. You don't have to be over 21 or someone who drinks to find this film to be funny. In fact, it might seem even more hilarious if you're not. Mike Tyson, Mike Epps, Heather Graham, and others appear in the film and bring lots of laughs. As for how racy the film actually gets...though there is nudity in the film, the raunchiest part comes in the end credits. Other than that, this is something for everyone (hmm, 16+) to watch and enjoy.

Though, if you already own The Hangover on Blu-ray, there is no reason to get the Extreme Edition unless you are dying for the 28 page booklet. If you own the DVD and plan on getting the Blu-ray edition, feel free to pick up this extreme edition for a few extra bucks.



Bonus Features:
28 Page Book - This little book is the "Best Little Chapel: The Unseen Wedding Album" which has photos from the infamous wedding night aka hangover night. It's not as raunchy as I expected, so that's safe.

Soundtrack Sampler - The soundtrack sampler incudes five songs, one of which is the theme for the film. Based on the sampler, I'd recommend getting the the full soundtrack and hopefully the soundtrack for The Hangover 2 will be just as good.

* Commentary (With Director, Todd Phillips and Cast Members, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis - Theatrical Version Only)
* More Pictures From the Missing Camera
* Map of Destruction
* The Madness of Ken Jeong
* Action Mash-Up
* Three Best Friends Song
* The Dan Band Performs Fame
etc...

Own The Hangover Extreme Edition on Blu-ray today.

My Experience at a Taping for The Big Bang Theory

On October 5, 2010, I was thrilled to be able to attend a taping of the hit CBS comedy, The Big Bang Theory starring Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, Jim Parsons, and Simon Helberg.


Photo: Robert Voets/Warner Bros.

Leonard and Sheldon are brilliant physicists, the kind of "beautiful minds" that understand how the universe works. But none of that genius helps them interact with people, especially women. All this begins to change when a free-spirited beauty named Penny moves in next door. Sheldon, Leonard's roommate, is quite content spending his nights playing Klingon Boggle with their socially dysfunctional friends, fellow CalTech scientists Wolowitz and Koothrappali. However, Leonard sees in Penny a whole new universe of possibilities... including love.

The episode that was being filmed, "The Irish Pub Formulation" aired October 28, 2010 and included guest star, Aarti Mann as Priya.

I was invited to attend the taping by my Twitter friend, Jackie Martinez. Thanks so much Jackie! We were fourth in line. Jackie arrived around noon and I met up with two hours later. The show doesn't begin filming until 6:30pm, so there was quite a lot of waiting. During the waiting, we mingled with the others in line, shared our snacks, and watched the audience for Ellen DeGeneres get pumped for that taping. Finally, it was our turn to go through security (twice) and enter the stage. The show films on Stage 25 where What I Like About You, the original V series, Batman & Robin, and Batman Forever called home for a period of time. Walking into the set, I noticed the schedule for the day and learned that the crew arrives at 11:30am. I also noticed the first 4 rows were full of VIP and 1 row of real life physicists taking a field trip to the taping. So basically the audience was packed before our line even went in. I sat in the end seat of the last row on the large left seating area. So to my center-left was the hallway and to my right was Sheldon's apartment. There were 14 television screens that the audience gazed at as the episode, "The Zazzy Substitution" was screened before the taping began. As a lover of cats, I found this episode to be hilarious! I wonder if those cat scenes were pre-taped or shot in front of a live audience. Anyway, as I mentioned before, the taping was set to begin at 6:30pm and it ended surprisingly around 930pm. This crew is in and out. They know what they want, they capture it in 2-3 takes, conduct 2-4 pickups, and move on to the next scene. I love it.

But before I get into that...Kaley Cuoco came out to say hello to the audience even though she was not filming that day due to her injury. She gave quite an emotional speech and got quite choked up as she thanked the cast for visiting her in the hospital everyday for two weeks and apologized to the writers for making them re-write the scripts. It was really sweet. Thanks Kaley for coming out to say hello when you really didn't have to. It means a lot!

Then filming began and it's similar to the Mike & Molly taping I attended in that if the cast and crew were shooting a scene in Sheldon's apartment, the other sets were covered by black curtains. I hear it's a Chuck Lorre thing. So expect to see that at tapings of his other shows as well if you're planning to go. Not only that, but this show has an abundant amount of sets so there is going to be partial to no view for certain sets. For instance, the physics cafeteria was to my far left and I had partial to no view and Leonard's lab was to the left of the audience, at no view to any of us.

What really made the audience full of laughter was the one car scene that was shot and the one scene that was pre-taped. Oh and the many blooper moments. Every single member of the cast had moments where they flustered their lines and those were really the only moments you'd see them out of character. The cast wasn't interactive throughout shooting but one crew member, Hunt was more than excited to tell the audience about power balance bracelets that he got the entire crew to wear. That was a highlight because he was so incredibly excited about it...so excited that he did a demonstration with an audience member during a scene break. Speaking of break, the audience got pizza and water just like the other tapings that I've attended. A few other highlights of the evening include the Caprica shout out and seeing guest star, Aarti Mann jump behind a couch.

Overall, this was a fascinating experience that I have Comic Con and Jackie to thank for. Without Comic Con, I would not be watching this show and without Jackie noticing one of my tweets about wanting to attend this taping, I would not have gotten a ticket to go to the taping this season (tickets sell out within minutes). Never underestimate the power of Twitter!

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

DVD Review: Jimi Hendrix The Guitar Hero

Getting a guitar last Christmas sprang my interest in finding out more about the world's best guitar players. I finally came upon Jimi Hendrix...and just in time as the DVD, Jimi Hendrix The Guitar Hero released earlier this fall.



Release Date: September 14, 2010
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 109 minutes

Classic Artists could not claim to have a complete series on rock legends and their mark on the world of music without this film, the final word on guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix.

Rather than drudging up scandal and outworn hypothesis about Jimi’s lifestyle and ultimate death, this Classic Artists film looks at Hendrix the master of electric guitar, as told by a selection of the world’s greatest musicians. JIMI HENDRIX: THE GUITAR HERO includes all new and exclusive interviews with Dave Mason (Traffic), Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones), Eric Burdon (The Animals), Paul Rodgers (Bad Company), Ginger Baker (Cream), Bev Bevan (ELO), Crosby, Stills and Nash and others. Some of these musicians were his mentors, some his contemporaries and some admirers of his incredible talent. Countless musicians have emerged as new talent as a result of his influence, explaining why Hendrix’s work remains at the zenith of rock music to this day.

Moving beyond the icon and the myth, Classic Artists brings alive the image and music that Jimi Hendrix evoked from his very soul, using the instrument, as, he put it, as his “personal diary.” This style evoked a home-grown and raw, uncensored sensuality, which indeed was his nature and that of his music, as if he were his own muse.

Narrated by Slash (Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver) a longtime Hendrix acolyte, this film is less a biography than the first film ever to focus on the music itself and the impetus of the master who created it.

I was excited to watch this film before watching but afterwords I became even more intrigued with the musical legend that is Hendrix. Some of the world's best guitarists and more share their personal accounts of witnessing Jimi playing or just being in his presence. Slash, Eric Burden, Leon Hendrix, Mick Taylor, Zoot Money, Eric Clapton, Dave Mason, Alan White, Author, Charles Cross, and Jimi's ex-girlfriend, Kathy among others are among the few who appear. It's really more of a tease than anything else, hearing their experiences and seeing a bit of footage of Jimi playing. Note that the footage shown of Jimi is sparse, so you'll see the same few videos and images repeatedly throughout the documentary.

Along with these personal accounts, this film details everything from Hendrix' time in foster care with his brother to his time in London, England and owning the stage at a Cream concert to his untimely death. Though the story telling is not as chronological or in depth as I would have hoped. This DVD is not a life story, it is literally just focusing on the musical talent of Jimi Hendrix and how he changed the musical game. However, it seems there was a lack of musical permission as I did not hear a large variety of Hendrix songs playing in the background. That was slightly disappointing.

Overall this is more of an introductory documentary than anything else. It is by no means a comprehensive full-length documentary that you can take a whole lot from but you'll enjoy it because it will get viewers excited to learn as much as they can about Jimi Hendrix.

Bonus Features:
* Henry Diltz' 8mm Silent Footage: The Monkees 1967 Tour
* Full Performance of "Hey Joe" at the Marquee in London
* Extended Interviews (Slash, Mick Taylor, Micki Dolenz, Leon Hendrix, Joey Covington, Stephen Stills, Lemmy Kilmister, and Dave Mason)
* Photography and Memorabilia (Includes a 20 page full color booklet)

Own Jimi Hendrix The Guitar Hero on DVD today.

Off-Broadway Review: Love, Loss, and What I Wore

Photo Credit: Jenny Anderson

After speaking with Margaret Colin in a recent interview for Hollywood the Write Way, I was pleased to find out that Colin is currently starring in the Off Broadway production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. After enjoying the production back in January and again in June during the Los Angeles run, I knew that I had to see the show with Colin.

I attended a Sunday matinee and saw Tichina Arnold, Margaret Colin, Alicia Goranson, Ann Harada, and Maria Tucci perform. As this show has a rotating cast, this cast will perform until December 5, 2010.

These women were such a delight to watch as each of them really brought something unique to their roles...which is the best part of seeing a show with a rotating cast. Certain stories that I had only seen as heartbreaking had a tint of hope or humor in it this time around. Certain characters that I may not have seen as having too much depth had so much more as Colin added accents to each of her characters, Goranson added attitude, Arnold added humor, Tucci added so much joy and innocence, and Harada was the mirror for the majority of the women in this audience.

As mentioned in an earlier review, timing and tone are everything for this show and the women did a fabulous job with such. Though there were two moments when lines were flustered, there were many more moments when the audience was filled with laughter and tears. The best moment of the reading just happened to be in the audience, when a few ladies went into an uproar about a diss to a certain fashion designer. The cast members briefly laughed before getting back into character. It really is quite an incredible experience to be in the audience of such an intimate show in such a small theater. The audience really is just as much a part of the story being told here as the ladies of the cast are.

Aside from the diss, the stories, The Dressing Room and The Closet had the audience in full agreement and in a bundle of laughter. One could hear a pin drop during The Bathrobe. Maria Tucci had everyone in stitches every time her main character got divorced and married over and over again. Every actress on stage really held their own and truly made their performances as personal as they could which I found it made their characters and monologues all the more moving.

The audience remained engrossed for the entire 90 minute run with no intermission and you will be too when seeing this cast before December 5, 2010.



Love, Loss, and What I Wore plays at The Westside Theatre on 407 W 43rd Street between 9th & 10th.

Flipped Coming to DVD This Tuesday

On Tuesday, November 23, 2010 Flipped will become available on Blu-ray & DVD! It was a very much talked about film when I was living back in Los Angeles earlier in the year, so I am looking forward to finally getting to see it! How about you?



Flipped is directed by the legendary Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally & Stand by Me), features a fun-loving story adapted from Wendelin Van Draanen’s bestselling novel Flipped, and stars the up and coming young actress Madeline Carroll (Swing Vote) as well as John Mahoney (Frasier).

Dissecting The Family Jewels by Marina and the Diamonds

Aside from Hollywood the Write Way, I do have a personal blog. Since I had so much to say in a recent post of mine, I wanted to bring part of those words over here. You can read the full post here.



To be quite honest, I never regularly listened to half of the artists that I mentioned in this post. That’s not to say that the songs I mentioned aren’t close to my heart, because they are.

But earlier this year I had a virus on my laptop and when the virus was taken off, so was my music. Though instead of going through my entire cd case (which has barely been updated for quite a few years now with the exception of a few titles) and buying songs that I (had bought and) enjoyed in the past…I just decided to start over. So of the artists listed in my previous “Soundtrack of My Life” post only nine made it back into my iTunes library and only two of those artists are getting regular plays.

To be quite honest, The Family Jewels by Marina & the Diamonds is the true soundtrack of my life. It’s funny because I knew about Marina in late 2008, moreso January 2009 thanks to my friends, Caleb & Steven. But I didn’t take the time to really pay attention to Marina’s music until this past fall. It’s really a shame that it took so long for me to listen to this girl’s album.

Marina’s music is in my head when I wake up and in my head when I go to sleep. Her music is a constant stream in my mind all day, every day and it has been a long while since an artist’s music has done that for me! The Family Jewels is phenomenal and unlike anything that I have heard before. The music and arrangements are so incredibly unique and Marina’s songwriting is superb.

The songwriting really speaks to me, so I just want to take some time out to talk about that. Please note that I’m dissecting the lyrics of 6/13 songs by discussing how they pertain in my life, not Marina’s. This is how I view the songs, which may not necessarily be the original message(s) behind the songwriting.

Let’s start with the first track from the album…

1) Are You Satisfied?

The part that gets me in the first verse is…

Oh, everybody said
Marina is a dreamer
People like to tell you what you’re gonna be
It’s not my problem if you don’t see what I see
And I do not give a damn if you don’t believe

See, I’ve set out goals in my life that the majority of the people I know consider to be out of reach. To me, that’s not only instilling low self confidence but the same as telling me that it is best to settle and live in convenience rather than true happiness. There’s a big difference between having my head in the clouds/being unrealistic and making my own path to success. But when people are held captive by fear (amongst other things) and are unwilling to make their own path to success, they’ll tell you that your dream is not likely to happen as well. And when people are controlling and try to make you believe that the only path to your success is with their help and their advice and their this and their that (and possibly ultimatums are given) it makes the journey even more significant to make without them. You think I’m just a dreamer? That’s alright, you keep thinking that while I’m dreaming about my goals even after I’ve succeeded. I’ll really be dreaming then. Someone will have to pinch me. I might even ask you to do it.

The Chorus goes…

Are you satisfied with an average life?
Do I need to lie to make my way in life?

No, I am not satisfied with an average life. You only get one life and you don’t know when it will end, so it’s important not to take all that life has to offer for granted. Life is grand. Whether you are going to a Broadway play or eating lunch picnic style for the first time in your backyard, there are so many opportunities in life to take risks and do something to spice up your day. Something that you do for a day can be a wonderful memory lasting a lifetime and something that you do one day can make your life change forever. So I’m not going to lie to myself, telling myself that it’s fulfilling being married with a son and a daughter in my big white house with a white picket fence and red door, golden retriever, and 9 to 5 job. It might be satisfactory to America’s standards but that is certainly not fulfilling for me. The American Dream is not my dream and I refuse to be pigeonholed for the convenience of such.

There’s a part near the end of the song that goes…

Sad inside
In this life
Unsatisfied praying
Sad inside
In this life
Unsatisfied waiting

Yes, at times I am sad and discouraged but the difference between myself a few years ago and now is that I have a better understanding for praying. Sometimes no answer is also an answer. And God’s gift to us was free will and many times, that is our answer. We have to answer ourselves. But because we are so stubborn, we don’t even realize that we have to answer ourselves. What’s interesting here is fate vs. free will. I believe that our fate is set but not in stone because we have free will – so it’s up to us how we get there and if we get there at all. So instead of waiting around for an answer, being unsatisfied with what we believe to be no answer…we need to get up and clear the path, go down a new path, whatever you need to do to be completely fulfilled.

Basically, I love this song because it forces people to think about where they are in life, why they are there, and what they are willing to do to become fully satisfied with their life, no matter who tries to tear you down, no matter what troubles come your way. I love this song.

Read the full post here.

DVD Review - Lost Boys: The Thirst

After watching Lost Boys: The Thirst this past July at San Diego Comic Con, I was happy to find the DVD at my doorstep recently so that I could watch it in its entirety, as the film was screened at midnight and anyone who goes to Comic Con knows how exhausted and tired one is by midnight...



Release Date: October 12, 2010
Rating: R
Running Time: 81 minutes

As the lost boys and girls of San Cazador prepare to party under the Blood Moon, an alpha vampire conspires to turn these unsuspecting ravers into an army of undead. The only thing that stands between him and the annihilation of the entire human race is the infamous vampire fighting Frog Brothers. Armed with double-barrel holy water balloon launchers and multi-arrow crossbows, Edgar (Corey Feldman) and Alan Frog (Jamison Newlander) join forces to kick some blood-sucker butt in this latest high-energy, action packed adventure in the Lost Boys franchise.

Even though the production quality of Lost Boys: The Thirst does not match up to the previous Lost Boys films, I actually enjoyed this film more than the second. I say this because the second film seemed to try too hard to be cool and sexy. This film was better crafted in its priorities, not so much trying to market to a certain audience but continue to tell the story of the Frog brothers getting rid of vampires. Each member of The Tribe has their own individual thing going on but Edgar is still devoted to stopping the vampires in town and many familiar faces from previous films have his back. So I appreciate the fact that that this film is not all about cursing every other word and sex and so on and so on like the sequel. Not only that, but there are a few comedic lines in the film that actually made me laugh aloud. Though better than the sequel, the script still was not strong enough to merit support from The WB for a theater release. I can see why. The film is a bit slow for the first half hour and has its dead spots. But the film really picks up with lots of action after this, which was a main reason for me watching. Overall, it's a good attempt at carrying on the Lost Boys story, but neither the sequel or this film can match up to the original. If you're a die hard Lost Boys fan, buy it. Otherwise, just stick with the original.

Bonus Features:

Charisma Carpenter Hosts The Art of Seduction: Vampire Love (12:19) - Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel star, Charisma Carpenter hosts this special features which takes a look at plenty vampire topics that we have all heard before. Film footage and comic book strips from The Lost Boys are shown as numerous sources talk about what's so enticing to us and females specifically about (evil) vampires. Also discussed: The sexy portrayal of female vampires, how vampires seduce their prey, the transference of blood, the lure of becoming a vampire, and vampire stories being reinvented for the times. If you're a vampire fan, these are all topics you've heard discussed before and in much more depth, so this feature is not a must see.

Appearing in Special Feature:
V is For Vampire Author, David J. Skal
Vampires Don't Sleep Alone Authors, Elizabeth Barrial & D.H. Altair
Lost Boys: The Thirst Writer, Evan Charnov
Lost Boys: The Thirst Actor, Jamison Newlander
Lost Boys: The Thirst Actor & Executive Producer, Corey Feldman
Bar Sinister Owner, Tricia La Belle
Masters of Horror Executive Producer, Mick Garris

Lost Boys: The Thirst is available now on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download.

DVD Review: Nice Guy Johnny

Ed Burns' latest film now out on DVD, Nice Guy Johnny is such a fun romantic comedy to have in your collection. It's always great to be able to catch the independent films that I never get to see during the Tribeca Film Festival, so I was looking forward to watching Nice Guy Johnny and was not disappointed.



Release Date: October 26, 2010
Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 92 minutes

Award winner Burns (director of The Brothers McMullen and She’s the One, star of Saving Private Ryan and 27 Dresses) returns with NICE GUY JOHNNY, his most romantic comedy in years. Twenty-four-year-old Johnny Rizzo (Matt Bush of Adventureland) is engaged to a girl who demands he quit his gig as an overnight sports radio deejay in Oakland and take a soul-killing job in her dad’s cardboard box company back home in New York. Johnny loves Claire (Anna Wood, Cold Case), and being a nice guy, has agreed to give up his sputtering career if he is not making $50,000 by his 25th birthday. He flies to New York to meet her dad and hooks up with his Uncle Terry (Burns), a fun-loving, horndog bartender who wants to help Johnny “get some strange” – i.e., have free-wheeling sex with girls in order to dissuade him from marrying too young.

Johnny isn’t interested in cheating on Claire, but he accepts Terry’s offer of a ride to his mother’s house in the Hamptons and tags along as his uncle visits a married girlfriend. The woman, it turns out, has a beautiful young tennis instructor, Brooke (Kerry Bishé, Scrubs, Sex and the City: The Movie), who takes a liking to Johnny and represents a free and easy alternative to his hard-edged, demanding fiancée. NICE GUY JOHNNY finds Burns delivering another gem in the tradition of his heroes Woody Allen and Francois Truffaut.

What I love about Nice Guy Johnny is that Johnny is genuinely a nice guy and that is his conflict. The character of Johnny has been crafted in such a realistic way, it makes it that much more intriguing and entertaining to follow his story and see when and how he puts his foot down. There are so many people who are driven to succeed in a certain career but let those around them walk over those dreams. This is a prime example of such being as how Johnny's incredibly annoying fiancee is all about prestige and has no regard for Johnny's career desires. Johnny is very much likeable for his level of self respect, which grows once he re-evaluates his priority in his loyalty to others as opposed to himself. He doesn't allow the limitations that others see in life to determine his happiness. His new friend, Terry helps him to take the step that he had always wanted to make and is a lifesaver in a way. It's a great journey of self discovery and simply standing your ground on one's heart's desires. It has such a warm tone and has just enough romance and comedy mixed into the mix. The characters are simple and the story predictable though less is so much more and it's not so much about the outcome as it is the journey to the outcome. So while not a must see, if you have the chance to see this film, I would say to watch it!

Bonus Features:

Original Casting Footage (3:28 minutes) - Watch Matt Bush and Kerry Bishe sitting quite closely on a small couch in a casting room, conducting a scene from the film having as much awkward and yet sweet chemistry that is portrayed between the two in the beginning of the film. It's a fun feature to watch but not necessary to watch.

Extended Scene (4:19 minutes) - This extended scene is when Johnny meets Uncle Terry at the bar before he heads to New York. I personally like the scene that made it into the film, but if you like extra footage, watch!

Deleted Scenes (3:03 minutes) - There are 2 deleted scenes; The first scene shows Johnny & Uncle Terry on the road to the Hamptons and the second scene shows the two leaving Johnny's mother's house. I can definitely see why both scenes were cut as they did not progress the story along at all.

Commentary - This commentary is conducted by writer/director/actor, Ed Burns. He shares an abundant amount of behind the scenes facts, the first of which being that the film was shot in ten days! Ed also shares plenty of low budget film tips and tricks to aspiring film makers, which I found to be incredibly helpful. This is probably the most beneficial commentary an aspiring film maker can watch because Ed goes above and beyond discussion about the film. He gives his viewers as much advice as he can based on the experiences he had while filming. There are not too many well detailed commentaries in this manner, so props to Ed Burns for carrying such a informational and beneficial commentary. I'm looking forward to listening to commentary for his future films.

Own Nice Guy Johnny on DVD today.

New Interview: Hilary Duff Talks Community Guest Spot, Music, & More

Hilary Duff guest stars on Community this Thursday night in the episode, "Aerodynamics of Gender" as the ultimate mean girl. It's quite a change from her long line of super sweet characters. Hilary had a lot to say about her new guest spot and more in a recent conference call interview with us press in the blogosphere. Check it out after the episode description.

After a classroom smackdown with a group of “mean girls” led by Meghan (guest star Hilary Duff), Britta (Gillian Jacobs), Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown), and Annie (Alison Brie) bond with Abed (Danny Pudi) by turning him into the ultimate "mean girl." Meanwhile, Jeff (Joel McHale) and Troy (Donald Glover) embrace a zen-like spirituality under the guidance of a groundskeeper when they come across a secret trampoline on campus. Determined to uncover the source of their new bliss, Pierce (Chevy Chase) ends up taking a disastrous turn on the trampoline and lands in the hospital. Ken Jeong also stars.


Photo by: Harper Smith/NBC

COMMUNITY

You’re playing a very different character in Meghan from what your fans have seen you as in a lot of other roles. Was there something that attracted you particularly to this role?
You know what? I think I just like to have fun, you know? It was a different character, which was exciting for me to get to play. And it was only a few days out of my life. So it was fun to just kind of like jump into that. I'm also a really big fan of the show, and that was very enticing to me, too.

Is there any chance that you'll reprise the role in the future?
I would love to. I think that’s one of the great things about the show is they bring their guest stars back quite often. So, you know, if they wrote some more, like, you know, more of a storyline for Meghan I think I would, of course, come back. I had a great time.

What do you love best about Community?
Well, it’s quirky and it’s funny and I think the actors really get to shine in it. And, you know, I got to work with Danny Pudi who is so, so funny, and Ken Jeong and Gillian is so sweet and nice. And I think it’s just - it’s nice to have a show that’s so - such a, like, a unique prop base, like done at a community college, and Joel McHale obviously is hilarious. I think it’s unique.

What’s your favorite characteristic about Meghan?
Let’s see, I mean, I think that it was fun for me to get to play a mean girl because it is so different than anything I've ever done before. But she is like - it was fun to play a character that’s super - acts super confident but is totally, you know, shallow and scared inside. You know, she really gets Danny Pudi’s character on the show really like - brings out like her weakness, like chinks in and I thought that was really fun to play, to get to be kind of tough but you do see how weak she is inside. And that, you know, being the most popular girl at a community college is important to her. I thought that was really funny.

Can you tell us a little more about your character Meghan, as far as how she’s a mean girl?
Sure. The episode is funny. Basically what’s happening is everyone at school is kind of being bullied by Danny Pudi’s character who turns into kind of a robot. And he comes up with the greatest insults. So the girls are kind of being attacked, like the mean girls, like (Billie Ann) and some of the others. They’re being kind of - they’re like the outcasts, right, and the mean girls are taking over and kicking them out of their spots at lunch and taking over the good seats in class and so on and so on. And so Danny Pudi kind of comes into their clique and just like mutilates everyone with these horrible insults. And he’s very good at it. So my character kind of gets put in her place because he’s a robot and you can't really like - you can't really fight against that, you know, because he’s way better. So she, you know, has this big scene where - or I have this big scene where I walk into the school cafeteria and call him out and everybody hears and he ends up really embarrassing me and I leave. And obviously status is very important to my character, Meghan, and we just go back and forth the whole time, it’s very funny because they’re in community college, you know, like they’re old enough to know better. But it’s everything to them in their world. And that’s just one of the examples. And then his character actually ends up helping me regain my status and it’s...obviously the cast is hilarious and I can only imagine off camera, how funny it must be working with them.

So are there any memorable moments?
Yes, there’s a few. It’s pretty hard to keep a straight face around those people. And you know what? They really love each other, which is nice. We work really long hours on that show and they are like a very tight knit family. So that was great to just walk into, you know, everyone being there like (completes) me and accepting and whatever. Danny just dances his way through life. It’s so funny. He'll just be standing there doing nothing and all the sudden just start wiggling. And it’s hilarious. And Ken Jeong actually, a lot of my scenes are with him, and he - there’s this scene where I'm storming out of the cafeteria and I'm really embarrassed and he is laughing so hard that he squirts milk out of his nose and he calls it a snarf. And it was so disgusting and hilarious at the same time. And he was really doing it. It was amazing. But he walks out - I walk out and he blows the milk out of his nose and he’s like, "Oh, my God, that girl looks exactly like Haylie Duff." And it wasn't written or anything, but I thought it was hilarious, like I almost fell down to my knees like his delivery and everything was so, so funny. And my sister loves him. So when I told her that story she was like, That’s great.

What was it like for you to go back to TV after some time away?
It was great. It's, you know, I had done Gossip Girl last year, so I think getting that little taste of TV again made me miss it in a way. And then also I think it reminded me that the hours are really long. But it was in a good way. You know, everyone on set was very close and so I miss that like kind of family community and knowing that you’re going to see the same people each day, you’re going to be able to come home and sleep in your own bed at night. You And I guess that was it. I mean, I would definitely do TV again if the right project came along, but it is such a commitment that I wouldn't do it unless I knew it was like 100% what I was going to be - like a character that was fun for me and challenging and that I got to, you know, enjoy going to work every day.

Is it easy for you to fit in with the cast or do you sometimes get nervous or intimidated trying to fit in with an established cast?
You know what? I think that it’s always a little scary walking into a new environment that people see each other every single day and, you know, work together. So they kind of know how to banter off one another in a scene. You know, there’s definitely a little bit of scary territory that comes with that. But they - especially the Community cast were so sweet and welcoming and just super outgoing. You know, then they like - you can tell they hang out offset and they’re good friends and they’re just total goofballs. They get to have so much fun on the show because it’s so quirky and off beat. It kind of made it easy for me to jump in there and have fun with them. But yes, it’s a little scary, you know...

When you first arrived on set were there any mean girls that you used as inspiration to get into character? How did you prepare?
Oh, no, nobody was mean on set. But I don't know, I've never gotten to play a mean girl and so it wasn't that I had to do so much preparation it was just exciting to play something different, you know, and I'm trying to think. I don't think it’s that hard for girls to be able to play mean because everyone’s had someone be mean to them before or know what it’s like to be snotty, you know. It was really fun actually.

How much fun was it to trade insults with Danny? Were you able to freestyle or did you have to stick to the script?
We did a little bit of both. We did a few takes where we stuck to the script and then - so it was a more structured. They actually have a very good work ethnic
over there. They do about five takes of just doing it the way it is in the script,
and then they let you have fun with it. So the scene still has like structure, but then, you know, for take seven to eight you’re like really having - you’re really getting in the flow of everything and getting to bounce off the actors and just come up with stuff that feels funny...which is great because Danny and Ken Jeong, who I worked with most were - they’re just total goofballs. So it was fun.

You say something about his mom being raped by a Muppet. Never thought I'd hear you say that one before. Do you have trouble saying stuff like that without laughing?
Yes, and especially because in that one scene - in most of the other scenes that I have with Abed, with Danny, he’s giving it back to me. But in this one he’s like kind of turns into a robot or whatever. So his robot has shut down and he’s decided to not be mean anymore. So I'm throwing these insults at him and he has like the saddest look on his face. And it made me feel really bad when I was doing it. Because I say like, "Oh, you look like a lizard whose mom got raped by a Muppet." And make fun of his clothes and it’s like in front of the whole cafeteria I call him out. So it made me feel bad but sometimes I would laugh because his little face would But it was fun. You know, I've never - I haven't really done anything where I got to be a bitch before. So it was exciting.

Did your husband get a chance to visit you on set?
You know what? He was already in Pittsburgh at the time, because that’s where he’s playing hockey this year. But he was so excited when I told him I was doing the show. So many guys in my life, like a lot of my guy friends love the show and I totally got respect for doing it, like... You know, they’re so used to me and everything that I do, they don't really care anymore, until I told them I was doing the show, they’re like, "No way, oh my God, we DVR that at home and we love it, we've watched it since the beginning." And so it was fun to get to see the reaction, you know, I was like, I didn't start watching the show right away because I travel so much. But I did get into it, like halfway through last year and I think it’s just really funny. It’s quirky and the characters are strong and the actors get to have so much fun with it. It was cool; I was excited when I got the phone call.

Was the role a good way to get back at Joel McHale for the comments he made on The Soup about your sister Haylie?
You know what is funny, is Haylie and her boyfriend Nick love Talk Soup and so I think that she has pretty thick skin and didn't care, But when I saw Joel, I was like, "I'm just going to push you down, like, I just need to, it just needs to happen, I can push you down really fast." And then say, "Thanks for having me on your show." But he was like, "Oh, no, what did I say about you? Or your sister? I don't know, I don't know." But he’s usually pretty good to us, so it wasn't that big of a deal.

Did you find it was instant working chemistry with the cast or did it take a little bit of time for you all to become sort of bonded?
You know what? It was pretty instant which is nice. Everyone on the set is so, so kind and was really welcoming towards me. And the great part was that I wasn't a nice character. So it wasn't like I needed to sit in and be funny with them. You know what I mean? My character was kind of against all of them. So I didn't feel pressured to have to like have that funny - what’s the word I'm looking for? That connection, like that closeness that they all have. You know, my character was like the bitchy mean girl at school. And so she wasn't a part of them. So it was easy to kind of jump in there. And they’re so funny anyway that my part was easy. I don't know, it fit. It was easy to walk in.

Who’s your favorite character on the show?
Definitely Ken Jeong’s character, I think he’s so funny. He has so much fun with it, like when we were filming, he just goes above and beyond like, what he would have to do to be funny and I just - I love the commitment that he has for the role and just, he’s such a nice person. Talking to him, he’s really smart but super, super funny and I mean the whole cast made it a really good experience for me.

How do you think Lizzie McGuire would kind of fit in with the Community crowd?
I haven't even thought about that. Well, I don't know, you know, the whole premise of that show was that she didn't fit into any crowd. And she was kind of just nice to everyone and stayed neutral and that got her in trouble a lot of the time. So I think she would kind of fit in with the outcasts, I guess.

MUSIC, TV, FILM, & ELIXIR

Do you plan on coming out with an upcoming album in the next few years?
I do. I mean, I wouldn't say that it’s something that’s going to happen in a year, but I do miss singing and I miss being on stage and I've had such a busy, like, last two years. I got married and I wrote a book and I've been traveling a lot back and forth, you know, to see my husband. So it was, you know, it’s not something that was like on my priority list. But I just did a book tour and I think almost every fan that was - that showed up for the signings were just like, "When are you doing new music? When is more music coming out?" And so it did inspire me and make me feel like people are missing it. So it made me feel good and kind of like inspired again.

And how does acting bring out a different side of you in your creativity as opposed to singing?
Oh, I actually think they’re very similar except most of the time when you’re singing it’s times ten, you know, the energy in the performance you’re putting into it is obviously way bigger. But it’s all about telling a story, you know? And getting to kind of leave yourself behind and imagine you in that character’s life and how you'd feel and how you would react and what your traits would be and, you know, how she walks different and talks different. I think it’s just fun to kind of like leave your world behind for a little bit and be somebody else.

Is the project, "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" still going and looking forward into the future, is it your preference to concentrate on film, or would you like to come back to television on a weekly series of your own?
"The Story of Bonnie and Clyde" has been so complicated. I think that’s the perfect example of just stuff getting leaked out into the press before it’s ready to. You know, because there’s tons of projects that I talk to people about on a weekly basis and, you know, most of them don't happen, you know? And if they do sometimes it takes years to get them ready to shoot. And that’s kind of what’s happened with this one is the people that are involved just haven't really gotten their stuff together. Obviously it’s a great - it could be a great idea, and I would love to get to do it. But it has to - you know, the script has to be in the right place and all that stuff before you start shooting. So that hasn't happened yet.

And it’s been nice to do these little guest spots on TV shows because it did make me realize that I miss it. I would like to concentrate on movies, but if the right part came along on a show, I'd obviously be really excited. I think that’s a good schedule for me because you get to always go home at night and see the same people every day. It’s more of a routine. And I think I'm better with a little bit of routine in my life. But it obviously has to be right. You know, I wouldn’t want to commit myself to four years of doing something that, you know, I wasn't completely satisfied with.

As far as Gossip Girl is concerned, are you going to be doing any more guest shots on that show?
I don't think so. I mean, when I signed on to do it, it was just, you know, six episodes, and I know they do bring their characters back sometimes, but I don't think there’s any plans to do that.

In your career you've have a really nice balance of dramatic films, like "According to Greta" which I love and...
Thank you, you were like one of five people that saw it, but thank you so much.

And now, this year Beauty & the Briefcase and Community. But after guesting on such a funny show, do you see yourself wanting to do more comedy?
I do. You know what, and I started doing comedy, you know, obviously Lizzie McGuire was a lot of physical comedy. And I really do miss that. So, you know, of course like I was saying before that if I - if the right series came along with a great character I would love to do that. You know, it’s kind of where I started and I miss it. So I would, but I think I also like to find balance and challenge myself with dramatic things and, you know, I'm just waiting to get that really juicy dramatic part.

How much of a challenge is it for you to find the next TV project?
It’s pretty challenging, actually. I wouldn't say for things like this, like these guest starring roles that I've been doing, which has been a lot of fun for me just to get back into TV and try that again. Like, I was working on Gossip Girl last year and then this year I've done - I did Community and I really do miss TV and I really enjoy the process and, you know, becoming a family with the crew and knowing you’re going to see I like that a lot. I'm good with like, structure in my life. But it is challenging and about a year and a half ago, I had a deal with NBC, there was a development deal and I was meeting with people all the time, you know, writers coming up with ideas. And thinking about - reading lots of scripts and thinking about developing a project and then it just - it wasn't happening. You know, I love TV, but I wouldn't want to do it unless it was the right part and the right story line and something that I was going to be happy with. You know, doing for four years, I think that’s a really big commitment and Lizzie McGuire was such a great show and so great for my life at the time, because it really was just who I was. And now, obviously, I'm looking for things that are a little more challenging, but it’s hard to find.

Why is it so hard to find? Is it people are still looking at you like Lizzie McGuire?
Oh, I don't think I mean hard to find for me personally. I think it’s just in general harder to find great projects.

You've always been more of a role model to young girls. Do you take that into consideration when you choose your roles?
I did for awhile. It was very important to me that my fan base was young and kind of growing up with me and I wanted to be like a responsible role model. But I don't think it was too much of a stretch from who I was in my real life. You know, I wasn't trying to be something that I wasn't. And obviously, I was growing up, you know, I was trying to choose age appropriate roles and then I kind of stopped caring so much about what people would write about me or how people would perceive me in this part or that. You have to grow as a person and do it on your own time, you know, and that goes for work choices as well. But I think I was pretty good at making my path and not causing too much controversy, so still, you know, being a good role model for young people.

It seems Charlie Sheen just filmed a cameo in your latest film. How was it working with Charlie?
You know what? This is like, another example of just, stories getting out of
control. We both had cameos in this movie, so it’s not my film. I didn't work with Charlie...but from what I've heard, he’s great to work with and, you know?

What inspired your book?
It’s a part one of a two or three book series and I love reading and I just kind of was ready for a new challenge. I took about a year off of work from everything just to try and breathe figure out what I liked doing the best and what I wanted to do and not focus so much trying to act and sing and tour and do all of this stuff at once. And during that time, I started to write down ideas for a book and it happened. I think with the media and everyone, you know, when you’re watching something on TV, you see it how it is and how someone else sees it, you can go along with it. But when you’re reading a book and going along with a story, you kind of get to imagine it in your head how you see it and I think that’s really great. I wanted to write a book and kind of give back to my fans.

MISCELLANEOUS
How did you like Pittsburgh when you came to see your husband play and what are some of your favorite things here?
Oh, honestly I haven't been able to do too much exploring like around the city because it’s been kind of like, you know, I've been there for three days at a time or something, and one of the times we were apartment hunting for Mike and one of the other times was a pretty quick trip. But so far I've really enjoyed it. Everyone’s been really nice to me and I know Mike is loving it because obviously hockey is so important to everyone there. And we've had some really great meals, which is always exciting.

How do you prioritize between your career and your new family?
I think when it’s important to you, you just figure out a way to make it work. You know, I have always had a pretty strong work ethic, I think, because I started at such a young age. And like writing the book was very convenient for me because traveling to see Mike and stuff, you know, I could really do it from anywhere, as long as I had my laptop with me. I could write and email the lady that I wrote the book with, we would just email back and forth and talk on the phone constantly and so that was really great. And then the only hard part is being away from the animals all the time. We have like four dogs and two cats. So...obviously I can't travel with that many animals to go see him. But, you know we did just get married, so it’s important that we see each other a lot. And, you know, also, both of our careers are very important to us. And we just find a way to juggle it and, you know, we have people that help us stay organized and on top of things so important things don't slip through the cracks, you know? But you just figure out a way to make it work when you have to.

You mentioned the long hours. As a newlywed does that affect the projects that you take, especially since he’s on the road so much?
He’s so supportive of me. I don't think it would be like, "You can't do that because I'm never going to get to see you." You know, he knows that my career is very important to me. But the one thing that’s nice about TV is that you have three weeks on, one week off most of the time. So I actually think it would work because we’re used to going, you know, two to three weeks without seeing each other. But like I said, I would only do it if it was something that I was really committed to. That’s why it’s been fun doing these little guest spots here and there because, you know, I get to still go and be a part of a set and do little quick roles here and there but it’s not such a big commitment.

Does being married to a pro athlete make you up your fitness game at all? Do you guys workout together and are you competitive in that way?
Yes, we are definitely competitive. I don't know - we’re not really competitive when it comes to working out. I mean, obviously he would win any battle, I'm sure. But we’re more competitive with like games and stuff. Like, board games or other things like that. But the first time we actually got to work out was this summer and we were both, you know, working really hard trying to get in shape for our wedding. But during the year he trains so hard that he never feels like working out with And I'm sure you’re ready to take a break after working so hard for your And I have and now I'm about to go see him and he’s in amazing shape right now, and I'm like, "Oh, no." I've totally let myself go.

Is there anything else you’re excited about coming down the pike that we should know about?
Well, you know, I just became a New York Times bestseller. So that was really exciting. And I'm starting to write the sequel because it’s a series, and that’s really exciting for me, just thinking about the direction of the new book and creating some new characters and that’s pretty much it right now besides all the holidays coming up and all the excited travel I'll be doing.

Speaking of the holidays. Is there anything on your Christmas wish list?
Not yet. I haven't been thinking about that yet. But I mean, I'm pretty - it’s so funny because I always just want shoes or a bag or something. And Mike’s always like, "But I've already gotten you shoes, and I've already gotten you a bag." And I'm like, "It doesn't matter, I'm a girl. Eventually you wear those and then you don't want them anymore." So they’re not cool.

Community airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

Holiday Treat: Radio City Sweets and Gifts

Just in time for the holidays, the Radio City Avenue Store has recently reopened as the Radio City Sweets and Gifts!

Radio City Sweets and Gifts features a wide variety of bulk candy as well as exclusive packaged candy selections from grand finale gummy bears, box office brownie bites, backstage bubble gum, scene-stealing sugar bears and Music Hall malt balls.

The store also offer a selection of traditional gift items from Radio City Music Hall, the Rockettes, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular including books, DVDs, t-shirts, ornaments, and accessories that customers can purchase to remember their visit to this iconic venue.



In addition, Radio City Music Hall and IT’SUGAR have launched a new bulk candy kiosk inside Radio City Music Hall’s Grand Lounge which will be open for all concert performances as well as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, running November 5 – December 30, 2010.

As a special treat, click this coupon to enlarge and print out to get 20% off by November 21, 2010!



Whether you choose to rock out with rock candy at a concert or enjoy the sweet swirl of Christmas with peppermints during a performance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Sweets and Gifts offers something for every sweet tooth!

Radio City Sweets and Gifts is located on 6th Avenue between 50th and 51st Street.

Buy tickets to Radio City Christmas Spectacular: The Rockettes here.

Introducing: Believe in Dreams

As the holidays near, families become more tightly knit and strangers become even more sweet. It's an uplifting season. But really this love and peace and joy in the atmosphere should never stop. Here's one person that's making sure it doesn't.



East Coast native and one half of the singing duo, The Dream Team, 16 year old Chandler Lutz has founded the non-profit organization Believe in Dreams. The organizations is devoted to improving the quality of life for children facing serious illnesses and supporting those dedicated to finding their cures.

The organization hopes to bring light to those suffering from a life-altering illness by providing the key ingredients so crucial to well-being and potential recovery: hope, joy, and peace of mind. The goal is to bring light to patients, families, researchers and medical practitioners from all walks of life, all over the nation.

Believe in Dreams currently works with the following charitable organizations:
● St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
● Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
● Starlight Children’s Foundation
● Maximum Hope Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

To help these noble organizations to find cures, to provide much-needed treatments and to fulfill the dreams of many more people facing serious illnesses, Believe in Dreams donates 100% of all contributions and proceeds from fundraising events equally between these four worthy charities.

Chandler also donates 100% of her iTunes music sales to Believe in Dreams. You can listen to Chandler and Ryan’s newest tracks and learn more about the music duo, here.



Kudos to Chandler and all of those young people around the world making a positive impact on those around them and giving their peers hope.

For more information, visit Believe in Dreams. Stay tuned to the website for details regarding the online charity auction coming to the web later this month!

The Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas!!!

The countdown to 25 Days of Christmas kicks off November 21, 2010!!!

Who's excited? I know I am SO excited! Christmas is my favorite holiday and the 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family is my favorite TV event of the year!



A highlight for the countdown includes the new ABC Family original movie, The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation which will air Sunday, November 28 at 8/7c! I cannot wait! I am a sucker for ABC Family original Christmas movies!



Additionally, an all-new ABC Family original movie, “Christmas Cupid,” is set to premiere Sunday, December 12 at 8/7 c. The film stars Christina Milian, Chad Michael Murray, and Ashley Benson.

But I know what you really want...the 25 Days of Christmas Schedule...

Here it is:

Wednesday, December 1
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS ON THE LOOSE
This half-hour special is hosted by The Cat in the Hat, who introduces three of Dr. Seuss’ popular stories: “The Sneetches,” “The Zax” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” (Animated)

(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX
In this Seuss tale, The Lorax “speaks for the trees” in a desperate effort to save his beloved “Truffula” forest from extinction. Arch enemy of the Truffula tree and its ambrosial fruit is the “Once-ler,” who covets the trees as the perfect material from which to manufacture his marvelous invention, the “Thneed,” defined as “a fine something that all people need!” When the ecological crisis becomes catastrophic, the one tiny surviving hope is a seed placed in the hands of a small boy. (Animated)

(7:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT
“Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat” tells the story of the adventure of two youngsters, housebound on a rainy day, whose boredom is shattered by a visit from the magical, mischievous Cat and his helpmates, Thing One and Thing Two. (Animated)

(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE GRINCH GRINCHES THE CAT IN THE HAT
As The Cat in the Hat gets ready for a lovely picnic, the evil Grinch plots to create a contraption that captures noise and turns it into ferocious sounds – which would absolutely ruin The Cat’s plan for an afternoon picnic. In the end, The Cat in the Hat must jump in to save the world from the clutches of the Grinch! Of course, the only way to make that happen is to get to Grinch's soft spot. (Animated)

(8:00–10:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
He's mean, he's green, and he doesn't like the Yuletide season one bit. Jim Carrey stars as the title character in this live-action adaptation of the classic children's story by Dr. Seuss. High atop Mt. Crumpet, The Grinch observes the residents of Whoville joyously preparing to celebrate Christmas. He decides he's had enough of all this happiness, and conspires to steal Christmas from Whoville! (Live Action)

(10:30 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – Encore Presentation (Live Action)


Thursday, December 2
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) A FLINTSTONE CHRISTMAS
Fred Flintstone finds out there really is a Santa Claus when the old gentleman falls off his roof and sprains his ankle. So the children of the world will not be disappointed, Fred substitutes for Santa and Barney comes along for the magical journey as an elf. (Animated)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE – ABC Family Premiere
Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a divorced father whose strained relationship with his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) begins to mend only after a bizarre twist of fate transforms him into the new Santa. When the current Mr. Claus falls off the roof on Christmas Eve, Scott dons Santa’s suit. And before you can say Kris Kringle, Scott and his son Charlie are whisked off to the North Pole. (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE – Encore Presentation


Friday, December 3
(6:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS
This holiday season, the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away) reunite for The Polar Express, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. (Animated)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS – Encore Presentation

Saturday, December 4
(7:00-9:00 AM ET/PT) THE DOG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS VACATION
The Bannister family and their well-intentioned pooch Zeus (Mario Lopez), plan for a nice, relaxing holiday vacation, but their ideal winter wonderland quickly goes awry when Belinda’s (Elisa Donovan) obnoxious brother Randy (Casper Van Dien) arrives with his son and new poodle, Bella (Paris Hilton), proving there is such a thing as too much family togetherness. Zeus immediately falls head over paws for Bella and is desperate to win over her affection, but she will have nothing to do with him. (Live Action)

HARRY POTTER WEEKEND BEGINS
(9:00 AM–12:30 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE
Based on the first of J.K. Rowling's popular children's novels about Harry Potter, the family adventure film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone” tells the story of a boy who learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. At Hogwarts, he finds the home and the family he has never had. (Live Action)

(12:30–4:30 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
The Chamber of Secrets has been opened! Harry Potter's adventures continue in this second installment of the “Harry Potter” film series. After a horrid summer with the Dursleys and a harrowing return trip to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) begins his second year studying the magic arts. But a long-buried secret threatens the school and all its students. Something evil whispers from within the walls – and only Harry can hear it. Now it's up to Harry and his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) to defeat an awakened monster. (Live Action)

(4:30–7:30 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
The magic and excitement are back with Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends as they prepare for their third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! While on summer break, Harry inadvertently causes some magical mischief while staying with his dreaded Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. Fearing punishment for performing magic in the world of the Muggles, Harry attempts to runaway but is mysteriously rescued from the neighborhood and taken to a friendly inn – by way of a purple tripledecker bus – to spend the remaining weeks of summer. He soon learns the reason for being let off easy by school officials: Sirius Black – a convict from the Prison of Azkaban – is on the loose and after Harry. Once again, it's up to Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) to save the school and the day! (Live Action)

(7:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
It's Harry Potter's fourth term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) look forward to the international Quidditch finals. Harry dreams of spending time with the alluring Cho Chang. He wants to be a normal 14-year-old wizard. But Harry is not normal--even by wizarding standards. This term, for the first time in hundreds of years, a competition will be held between three schools of wizardry, and contestants will be magically chosen for the very dangerous event. Now, as Harry's lightning scar burns, indicating the evil presence of Lord Voldemort, the Goblet of Fire makes its final selection for the competition – Harry Potter. (Live Action)

(11:00 PM–12:30 AM ET/PT) THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS – ABC Family Premiere
Set in the world where every holiday has its own special land, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” follows the misguided passion of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved Pumpkin King, who oversees the creation of all the ghoulish delights, frights and surprises that his holiday traditionally exports to the “real world.” Bored with the same annual routine, Jack finds a new purpose in life when he accidentally stumbles upon the entryway to Christmastown and becomes instantly enraptured with the bright colors, toys, decorations and warm spirit that he discovers there. He returns home obsessed with bringing Christmas under his control and enlists his loyal townspeople to help him become a substitute Santa and create a “new and improved” version of the holiday. But even the best laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously astray as Jack discovers all too soon. (Animated)

Sunday, December 5
(7:00–10:30 AM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE – Encore Presentation
(*See Saturday, December 4, for description.)

(10:30 AM–2:30 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS – Encore Presentation
(*See Saturday, December 4, for description.)

(2:30–5:30 PM ET/PT) HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN – Encore Presentation
(*See Saturday, December 4, for description.)

(5:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) – HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – Encore Presentation
(*See Saturday, December 4, for description.)

(9:00 PM–12:00 Midnight ET/PT) – HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for his fifth year--and his greatest challenge yet. A summer has passed since Harry's encounter with the Dark Lord, and Harry returns to learn that the wizarding community remains in denial about Voldemort's return; the minister of magic believes that Headmaster Dumbledore is lying; and a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has been assigned. Now, with the entire wizard community in peril, the future of magic may depend on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. (Live Action)

Monday, December 6
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST
Jack Frost, the icy spirit of winter, wants to leave his North Pole existence and become human for the beautiful snowwoman-turned-human he's fallen in love with. Father Winter grants his wish, but not until Jack fights an evil giant and finds a home with a pot of gold. Filmed with stop-motion animated puppets (animagic) and featuring the classic songs "Me and My Shadow," "The Christmas Song," and many more. (Animated)

(7:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is out to save Christmas once again in this stop-motion animated holiday musical. When the Evil Toy Taker steals all of Santa’s toys, Rudolph and his friends – the misfit toys – set out to get them back before the world’s children wake up to empty stockings on Christmas morning! (Animated)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
The story takes place in the small town where the world's most wonderful sweets are made in the mysterious chocolate factory of Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder). Wonka decides to hide five Golden Tickets inside five candy bars with the winners receiving a trip through his factory and enough candy for a lifetime. One of the hopefuls is poor but honest Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), and he is encouraged by his Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson). (Live Action)

Tuesday, December 7
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY
Winnie the Pooh follows Christopher Robin and his animal friends as a storm topples Owl's tree house and brings a drenching rain. While the flood waters rise, Pooh has nightmares about honey-stealing creatures called Heffalumps and Woozles. (Animated)

(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND TIGGER TOO
To break Tigger's habit of "bouncing in" on them, his friends plot to get him lost in the woods and literally "take the bounce out of him". However, it’s his friends who become lost and Tigger "finds" them. After Tigger and Roo become stuck high in a tree, Tigger promises Pooh and Christopher Robin that he'll never bounce again if only Christopher Robin can help get them down-which he does. But Tigger’s friends cannot hold Tigger to his vow after seeing how sad he has become without his “bounce”. Soon they are all bouncing for joy together. (Animated)

(7:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Mickey’s Christmas Special is a collection of Disney shorts that tell fun holiday tales with some of Disney’s most popular characters. The shorts include “Pluto’s Christmas Tree,” “Toy Tinkers” and “Donald’s Snow Fight.”

(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS
Based on the popular children’s book series, “Cranberry Christmas” tells the story of a New England stalwart, Mr. Whiskers, and his efforts to keep the local skating bog from the evil clutches of his notoriously mean neighbor Cyrus Grape. With the help of young Maggie and her Granny, it’s up to Mr. Whiskers to prove the bog is his own and save Christmas day for all the children of Cranberryport. Barry Manilow wrote two original songs for this holiday special. (Animated)

(8:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
An all-star cast lends its talents to this Christmas special shot in "animagic" (stop-motion animated puppetry). Everyone's favorite snowman, Frosty, plans to marry, but not if the evil Jack Frost can help it. Can the children save Frosty from being frozen lifeless and get him to the church on time? This special is narrated by Andy Griffith and features the classic songs "Frosty the Snowman" and "Winter Wonderland.” (Animated)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK
In “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York,” the sequel to “Home Alone,” Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is back, and this time his playground is New York City. Separated from the rest of his family — who are on vacation in Florida — Kevin uses his father's credit card to have a grand "Big Apple" time! Soon, though, Kevin discovers that the robbers he foiled once before are out of prison, in New York, and planning a huge toy store heist. Kevin sets out to deter them once again, only this time the robbers are equally as determined. (Live Action)


Wednesday, December 8
(6:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34th STREET
Everyone, especially children, knows that the holiday season is a time for miracles. However, six-year-old Susan Walker has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle...Santa Claus. This holiday season, Susan is going to receive the most precious gift of all: something to believe in and she's about to discover that miracles do occur. When Kris (Richard Attenborough) is put on trial to prove he's Santa, the youngster — and everyone around her — learns the true meaning of faith, the importance of family... and that even today, we all need something to believe in. (Live Action)


Thursday, December 9
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has a new problem: Baby New Year has run away from Father Time and Santa has sent Rudolph after him. The future is riding on Rudolph's success – without a Baby New Year to ring in the next year, December 31st will last forever and thereby eliminate all future Christmases. (Animated)

(7:00 –8:00 PM ET/PT) THE GRUFFALO – ABC Family Original Special
A half-hour animated film based on the classic children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo tells the magical tale of a mouse who takes a walk through the woods in search of a nut. The special's all-star voice cast features Robbie Coltrane as the Gruffalo; Helena Bonham Carter as the narrator, Rob Brydon as the Snake; James Corden as the Mouse; John Hurt as the Owl and Tom Wilkinson as the Fox. (Animated)

(8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
Fred Astaire narrates this tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others. In his home village of Sombertown, Kris has started a gift factory where he builds toys and gives them to all the local children. But when the evil ruler, Burgermeister (Paul Frees), bans toys from the land, Kris is forced to go directly to Mother Nature and ask her for assistance. With the help of magical elves and several special reindeer, Kris overcomes the Burgermeister and delivers toys to children all over the world, earning him the name Santa Claus. (Animated)

(9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
Mrs. Claus narrates this memorable children's classic about the time she almost donned her husband's famous red suit. Disenchanted with the lack of holiday spirit throughout the land, Santa (voiced by Mickey Rooney) decides not to deliver presents and Mrs. Claus and all the elves have to convince him to make his traditional Christmas Eve sleigh ride. Based on Pulitzer Prize-winner Phyllis McGinley's children's book and filmed using stop-motion animated puppets. The special is filled with Christmas classics including "Here Comes Santa Claus.” (Animated)

(10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) A MISER BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS
Starring Mickey Rooney, reprising his role as Santa Claus from the holiday classic “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” “A Miser Brothers’ Christmas” tells the story of how Santa throws out his back, potentially spoiling Christmas for boys and girls all over the world. The story begins when Santa’s new chief mechanic, Tinsel, creates a speedy, new high tech sleigh for Christmas. But what Santa doesn’t know is that North Wind has secretly sabotaged the sleigh in the hope of taking Santa’s place that year. When Santa takes it out for a spin, he gets caught in the crossfire between the feuding Snow Miser and Heat Miser Brothers and the sleigh crashes, causing Santa to hurt his back. North Wind frames the Miser Brothers for Santa’s accident and with Santa stuck in bed, everything falls into place for North Wind to slyly come to the rescue. But much to his chagrin, Mother Nature punishes the Miser Brothers by forcing them to put their differences aside and fill in for Santa. (Animated)


Friday, December 10
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(7:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description.)

(10:00 PM–12:00 Midnight ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 2
After eight years as the jolly old St. Nick, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has grown to truly love his job as Santa Claus. However, things start to fall apart when an overlooked clause is brought to his attention – he must find a wife or he will lose his job as Santa. (Live Action)


Saturday, December 11
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS
After learning that his best friend's parents are getting a divorce, Justin (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) fears the worst when he sees his mother kissing Santa Claus. Justin concludes that the only way to keep Santa away from his mother on Christmas Eve is to be naughty, so he transforms into a holiday problem child. As Christmas nears, Justin fears that Santa will still appear, and when his father is trapped out of town in a snowstorm, Justin is forced to defend his home on Christmas Eve from the Ho-Ho-home wrecker. Justin learns that things aren’t always what they seem to be in this holiday special! (Live Action)

(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) SNOW
In a reinvention of the Santa Claus myth, this ABC Family holiday movie finds Nick (Tom Cavanagh) reluctantly taking over the family business at the North Pole. As if that wasn’t pressure enough, with only three days before the big night, one of Nick’s young reindeer, Buddy, is captured and taken to a zoo. In the course of his adventures to rescue the reindeer, Nick touches the lives of those at a boarding house including Sandy (Ashley Williams), and eight-year-old-Hector (Bobb’e Thompson) who lives there with his mom. Nick tries to bring back the spirit of Christmas they lost long ago, and in the process, finds his true love. (Live Action)

(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) SNOW 2 BRAIN FREEZE
Tom Cavanagh reprises his role as Nick Snowden, aka "Santa," in “Snow 2 Brain Freeze.” Nick is preparing for his biggest day of the year - Christmas! In the rush of getting his reindeer ready, he jumps through his magic mirror and hits his head upon landing, causing Nick to lose his memory and forget who he is! With just days before Christmas, his wife Sandy (Ashley Williams), is desperate to find her husband and enlists the help of her old boyfriend Buck (Patrick Fabian), who pretends to help but has no true intention of reuniting them. With the help of some new friends, Nick’s memory starts to trickle back, but will he remember that he is Santa in time for Christmas? “Snow 2 Brain Freeze” was written by Rich Burns, directed by Mark Rosman and executive produced by Phil Kruener. (Live Action)

(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
Wilmer Valderrama stars in this holiday romp that finds a huge blizzard shutting down Hoover International Airport on Christmas Eve. En route to their father’s house for the holidays, Spencer (Dyllan Christopher) and his little sister, Katherine (Dominique Saldaña), are ushered to the airport’s Unaccompanied Minors Room, a holding cell for dozens of stranded, parent-free kids from all over the country. Desperate to escape, Spencer makes a run for freedom along with four other UMs. With every airport security guard hot on their trail, along with the attendant (Valderrama) responsible for their care, the very different kids learn to ditch their differences and help each other flee the clutches of airport authority. They turn Christmas at the airport into holiday pandemonium and, along the way, prove that the holidays aren’t about where you are, but who is there to share them with you. (Live Action)

(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST
The irresponsible and unreliable father of a young boy is killed in a car crash, but the father gets another chance to make things right with his son when he is reincarnated as a magical snowman. The Christmas fantasy-adventure stars Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, Mark Addy, Henry Rollins, and pop-personalities Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa. (Live Action)

(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description.)

(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 – (*See Friday, December 10, for description.)

(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos as Tim Allen reprises his role of Scott Calvin, aka Santa, as he juggles a full house of family and the mischievous Jack Frost (Martin Short)--whose chilling Santa envy has him trying to take over the “big guy’s” holiday. Along for the adventure is Scott’s extended family: son Charlie (Eric Lloyd); ex-wife Laura (Wendy Crewson); her husband Neil (Judge Reinhold); and their daughter Lucy (Liliana Mumy), who together with Head Elf Curtis (Spencer Breslin) must foil Jack Frost’s crafty scheme to control the North Pole. (Live Action)

(11:00 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) JACK FROST – Encore Presentation


Sunday, December 12
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(7:30– 8:00 AM ET/PT) ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Actor Joel Grey narrates this animated holiday special adapted from the famous poem by Clement Moore. A kindly clockmaker, a friendly family of mice and a sensitive Santa Claus come together in a story where the citizens are afraid that Santa will pass them by because an unsigned letter to the editor of the local paper denounced him as a myth. (Animated)

(8:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS
Christmas is coming and Santa’s (Douglas Campbell) house is buzzing with activity, but somehow the old boy’s heart isn’t in it this year. Disillusioned with all the selfishness and greed in the world he’s ready to throw in the towel, but his daughter Kristin Claus (Kathy Ireland) persuades him to give the mortals one last chance. If she can prove that even one family can change and become giving and caring again, Santa will put off his vacation in Hawaii and get back on the sleigh. Trouble is she’s saddled with the Morgan family, headed by a workaholic Dad (John Dye) and a couple of kids whose idea of good clean fun is putting peanut butter in the au pair’s underwear and glue on the school coach’s whistle. And with a sister (Mary Donnelly-Haskell) who makes Cruella de Ville look like the cutest pup in the shop ready to wreck her plans, can Kristin teach them that what you give is what you get, and stop the spirit of Christmas from disappearing forever? (Live Action)

(10:00 AM– 12:00 Noon ET/PT) TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS
Now a devoted nanny to the Morgan family, Kristin Claus (Kathy Ireland) is suffering from acute memory loss. Little does she know that her father is Santa Claus, living in the North Pole with her mother, Mrs. Claus, and mischievous sister Rudolpha (Mary Donnelly-Haskell). As Kristin grows closer to the Morgan family, the answer to who she is seems ever more elusive. But then a big surprise - a proposal of marriage from Bill (John Dye)! Torn between her love for the Morgan family and the life she can’t remember, she agrees to marry Bill on Christmas Day - but only if they first solve the mystery of her identity. Back at the North Pole, trouble is brewing. In Kristin’s absence, the scheming Rudolpha sets about sabotaging Christmas. To clear the way for a lucrative property deal, she launches a TV advertising campaign to sell off the North Pole, piece by piece. Christmas is under threat. Santa could be out of a job! With Christmas fast approaching, Kristin is still struggling for answers. When a bizarre coincidence helps everything to click into place, Kristin realizes that she must again save Christmas or see Santa forced into early retirement! (Live Action)

(12:00 Noon–2:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE – (*See Saturday, December 11, for description.)

(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY
In the ABC Family holiday movie “Santa Baby,” Mary Class (Jenny McCarthy) is a highly driven business executive whose great success is acknowledged by everyone but her father, who just happens to be Santa Claus (George Wendt). Tired of not being recognized for her ideas on modernizing Christmas, Mary flees to the big city, not only leaving home, but also abandoning her loyal local boyfriend, Luke (Ivan Sergei). Four years later, after learning that Santa has fallen ill and is having trouble finishing preparations for Christmas, Mary eagerly returns home to the North Pole to implement her innovative ideas. This year is going to be Mary's Christmas. (Live Action)

(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE
Jenny McCarthy reprises her role as Mary Class, Santa’s business minded daughter, starring alongside Paul Sorvino and Dean McDermott. Santa (Sorvino) is in the midst of a late-life crisis and is ready to pass on the reins to Mary, who is torn between taking over the family business and running her own high stakes firm in New York City, all the while trying to balance her relationship with the love of her life, Luke (McDermott). The situation gets increasingly dire when a disgruntled former elf, Teri (Kelly Stables), in cunning disguise, sows dissension at the North Pole in an effort to take over Christmas. (Live Action)

(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS
Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez star in ABC Family’s amusing holiday tale “Holiday in Handcuffs,” a story about a modern young woman who has a breakdown at Christmas and desperately kidnaps a handsome guy to take home to her parents. Can she keep her misdeed a secret from her family and convince them that they are a happy couple or will everyone’s Christmas be ruined? (Live Action)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID – ABC Family Original Movie
Christina Milian stars as high powered Hollywood publicist, Sloane, who finds herself haunted by the ghost of her recently departed infamous client Caitlin, played by Ashley Benson (“Pretty Little Liars”). With just days away from Christmas, Caitlin takes Sloane on a journey to meet the ghosts of her ex-boyfriends from the past, present and future to try and guide her to true love, in a modern day take on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic story of A Christmas Carol. (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 Midnight ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID – Encore Presentation


Monday, December 13
(6:00 - 7:00 PM ET/PT) A FLINTSTONE CHRISTMAS – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description.)

(7:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description.)

(9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description.


Tuesday, December 14
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT – (*See Wednesday, December 1, for description.)

(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ PONTOFFEL POCK, WHERE ARE YOU? – ABC Family Premiere
This fun Dr. Seuss classic tells the story of dejected klutz Pontoffel Pock, who gets fired from his job at a pickle factory. Pock wishes to get away from it all and receives a magical piano from jolly fairy McGillicuddy. Pock embarks on a series of loopy misadventures as the piano enables him to travel all over the world. (Animated)

(7:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ THE GRINCH GRINCHES THE CAT IN THE HAT – (*See Wednesday, December 1, for description.)

(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON – ABC Family Premiere
Based on the hit song by Peter, Paul, and Mary. A shy boy, Jackie Draper, learns the value of courage from his friend, Puff. Burgess Meredith voices Puff The Magic Dragon. (Animated)

(8:00–10:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – (*See Wednesday, December 1, for description.)

(10:30 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – Encore Presentation


Wednesday, December 15
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) PIXAR SHORT FILMS
Get ready for a fun-filled night of Walt Disney Pictures Presents “Pixar Short Films” that will include the following film shorts: “Presto,” “Lifted,” “Jack-Jack Attack,” “BURN-E,” “Adventures of Andre and Wally B.,” “Boundin,” “For the Birds,” “Geri’s Game,” “Knick Knack,” “Luxo Jr.,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Mike’s New Car,” “One Man Band,” “Red’s Dream,” “Tin Toy,” and “Your Friend the Rat.” New additions to the line-up include “Partly Cloudy,” “Dug’s Special Mission” as well as several vignettes featuring characters from the “Toy Story” movies, “WALL•E” and “Up.” (Animated)

(8:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING
The half-hour holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing. Every Christmas Eve this high-tech organization ensures that homes around the world are properly prepared for the yearly visit from The Big Guy, their code name for Santa Claus. Voices of the Elves Include Dave Foley, Sarah Chalke and Derek Richardson and is executive produced by Academy Award-Winning John Lasseter. (Animated)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S FINDING NEMO
Viewers dive into a whole new world of computer-animated fun, fantasy and heartfelt emotion with this splashy underwater adventure, “Finding Nemo,” which earned the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. This comedic and eventful tale follows the journeys of two fish – the overly cautious Marlin and his curious son Nemo – who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef. Buoyed by the companionship of Dory, a friendly-but-forgetful fish, Marlin embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic effort to rescue his son – who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home. (Animated)


Thursday, December 16
(6:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S FINDING NEMO – (*See Wednesday, December 15, for description)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S THE INCREDIBLES
Disney∙Pixar’s 2004 Academy Award®-winning THE INCREDIBLES (Best Animated Feature Film) is an action-packed animated adventure about the mundane and incredible lives of a house full of superheroes. Bob Parr (Craig T. Nelson) and his wife Helen (Holly Hunter) used to be among the world’s greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs where they live “normal” lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction. (Animated)


Friday, December 17
(6:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S THE INCREDIBLES – (*See Thursday, December 16, for description)

(8:30–10:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S WALL•E
Set in a galaxy not so very far away, “WALL•E” is an original and exciting comedy about a determined robot. After hundreds of lonely years doing what he was built for, WALL•E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knickknacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator). EVE comes to realize that WALL•E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future and races back to space to report her findings to the humans who have been eagerly waiting aboard the luxury spaceship Axiom for news that it is safe to return home. Meanwhile, WALL•E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most incredible comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. (Animated)

(10:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)


Saturday, December 18
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
Based on the Christmas song, the “Little Drummer Boy” tells the story of Aaron, a young poor boy who cannot afford to buy a present for baby Jesus and instead plays a special song for him on his drums. Amazingly, baby Jesus seems to understand and gives Aaron a smile of gratitude. This animated classic stars the voices of Greer Garson as "Our Storyteller" and features the singing of the Vienna Boys' Choir. (Animated)

(7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY BOOK II
In this sequel to the famous Christmas tale, the drummer boy and a wise man set out in search of a set of pure silver bells to present to the baby Jesus. The bells, made twenty years earlier, have been repossessed by tax collectors and it's up to the little boy to recover them. The special features the Christmas classics "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "The Little Drummer Boy" performed by the Vienna Boys Choir. Filmed using stop-motion animated puppets. (Animated)

(8:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG-EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
"Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey" was the name given to the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem. Burdened with oversized ears, he was ridiculed and friendless, and soon orphaned when his mother perished in a blinding snowstorm. Leaving home, he traveled south and his life changed forever when he encountered Mary, heavy with child, who desperately needed his help. Nestor carried her across the desert under a guiding star, bringing her to Bethlehem and witnessing the birth of Baby Jesus. Filmed using a technique called animagic (stop-motion animated puppets). (Animated)

(8:30–9:00 AM ET/PT) ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(9:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) PINOCCHIO’S CHRISTMAS
Carlo Collodi's most famous puppet creation stars in a musical tale that finds the poor lad Pinocchio conned out of money intended for Papa Geppetto's Christmas gift. The Christmas special was filmed using slow-motion animated puppets and features holiday classic songs. (Animated)

(10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST – (*See Monday, December 6, for description.)

(11:00–11:30 AM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND – (*Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(11:30 AM–12:00 Noon ET/PT) CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS – (*Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(12:00 Noon–2:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH & FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Rudolph's magical glowing nose is not only helpful at Christmas but also in the heat of summer when Rudolph and his friend, Frosty the Snowman, are called in to rescue a struggling circus at a special July 4th benefit. But big-time trouble comes to their big-top act when Winterbolt appears and is intent on stealing Frosty's magic hat and extinguish Rudolph's legendary nose! This fun-filled fable is a must-see for all seasons, featuring the voices of Mickey Rooney, Ethel Merman, Red Buttons and Shelley Winters. (Animated)

(2:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(3:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(4:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) A MISER BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S WALL•E – (*See Friday, December 17, for description.)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY∙PIXAR’S TOY STORY
Disney∙Pixar’s “Toy Story” tells the story of a fantastic, fun-filled journey, viewed mostly through the eyes of two rival toys— Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), the lanky, likable cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), the fearless space ranger. The comically-mismatched duo eventually learn to put aside their differences when circumstances separate them from their owner Andy and they find themselves on a hilarious adventure-filled mission where the only way they can survive is to form an uneasy alliance. (Animated)

(10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(11:00 PM–1:30 AM ET/PT) HAPPY FEET
In the great nation of Emperor Penguins you’re nobody unless you can sing – which is unfortunate for Mumble (Elijah Wood), who can’t sing a note. He was born dancing to his own tune…tap dancing. His one friend, Gloria (Brittany Murphy), happens to be the best singer around and she struggles with his strange “hippity-hoppity” ways. Mumble is just too different – especially for Noah the Elder (Hugo Weaving), the stern leader of Emperor Land, who ultimately casts him out of the community. Away from home for the first time, Mumble meets the Adelie Amigos. Led by Ramon (Robin Williams), the Adelies instantly embrace Mumble’s cool dance moves. In Adelie Land, Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru (also voiced by Robin Williams), a crazy-feathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life’s questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world. (Animated)


Sunday, December 19
(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(7:30–9:30 AM ET/PT) RICHIE RICH’S CHRISTMAS WISH
America's richest kid is back with more fantastic toys and incredible adventures. When Richie Rich's nasty cousin Reggie Van Dough causes Richie's sleigh full of orphans' Christmas gifts to run down pedestrians, attack neighborhood homes and fly past the orphanage, Richie (David Gallagher) wishes he was never born. But he gets more than he bargained for when Professor Keanbean (Eugene Levy) invents a wishing machine that magically transports Richie to an alternate universe where Reggie rules with an iron fist, Richie's personal valet Cadbury is a heavy-metal roadie, his robot-servant Irona is a fire-breathing cyborg and Richie's loveable dog Dollar is forlorn. Through an action-packed chase and museum heist, Richie and his friends race against time to outwit Reggie and find the wishing machine so Richie can return to reality and save Christmas. (Live Action)

(9:30–11:30 AM ET/PT) A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS
Comic mayhem ensues when one of the world's most benevolently mischievous imps takes on a beloved holiday. Trouble follows Dennis Mitchell (Maxwell Perry Cotton) wherever he goes. Despite his good intentions, Dennis seems to always wreak havoc at the expense of his grumpy neighbor Mr. Wilson (Robert Wagner). With the gingerbread cookies baking and the eggnog brewing, everyone in the neighborhood is gearing up for the Christmas season except, that is, Mr. Wilson. Convinced he can get Mr. Wilson in the holiday spirit, Dennis concocts a plan to give him the ultimate gift—the gift of Christmas Spirit. (Live Action)

(11:30 AM–2:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 4
In the fourth film of the “Home Alone” series, Kevin McCallister (Mike Weinberg) has to save his family from more home invaders. This holiday season, Kevin decides to spend Christmas with his father Peter (Jason Beghe) and his new girlfriend Natalie (Joanna Going) in her multi-million dollar mansion. At the mansion, Kevin spots some uninvited visitors lurking around the premises. He becomes suspicious but Natalie and his father think his imagination is getting the best of him. Kevin sticks to his instincts and decides to prepare for the burglars with a creative set of booby traps. The stakes are raised even higher when Kevin discovers one of the burglars is Marv (French Stewart), a thief he apprehended years ago. In addition to getting his hands on the money hidden in the mansion, Marv is out for revenge. Kevin must use his resources and his wits if he wants to stop Marv and save Christmas! (Live Action)

(4:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY – (*See Saturday, December 18, for description)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY 2
Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 2” picks up as Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (voice of Wayne Knight), owner of Al's Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody (voice of Tom Hanks). At Al's apartment, Woody discovers that he is a highly valued collectible from a 1950s TV show called “Woody's Roundup," and he meets the other prized toys from that show - Jessie the cowgirl (voice of Joan Cusack), Bullseye the horse and Stinky Pete the Prospector (voice of Kelsey Grammer). Back at the scene of the crime, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen) and the gang from Andy's room – Mr. Potato Head (voice of Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (voice of Jim Varney), Rex (voice of Wallace Shawn) and Hamm (voice of John Ratzenberger) – spring into action to rescue their pal from winding up as a museum piece. The toys get into one predicament after another in their daring race to get Woody home before Andy returns. (Animated)

(10:00 PM–12:00 Midnight ET/PT) TOY STORY 2 – Encore Presentation


Monday, December 20
(7:00 - 9:00 AM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS DO-OVER
This holiday movie, starring Jay Mohr (“Jerry Maguire”) and Daphne Zuniga (“Beautiful People”), tells the story of Kevin (Mohr), who unwittingly gets a chance to go back and do things differently when he is forced to relive one terrible Christmas over and over again. Kevin slowly realizes this might be his last chance to get Christmas right and get back what he lost – and what he most needed all along – his family. (Live Action)

(9:00–9:30 AM ET/PT) THAT ‘70s SHOW
“The Best Christmas Ever” - Instead of buying a tree with the money his father gave him, Eric cuts down a tree along the interstate so the gang can use the money to buy beer for a Christmas party in his basement.

(11:00–11:30 AM ET/PT) THAT ‘70s SHOW
“An Eric Forman Christmas” - Kitty suggests that Eric get into the Christmas spirit by directing the annual Christmas pageant, but artistic differences with the gang fill him with anything but holiday cheer.

(11:30 AM–12:00 Noon ET/PT) THAT ‘70s SHOW
“Christmas” - Eric meets some cute girls at a dance. When one calls Donna at the radio station to dedicate a song to him, Donna flips out. Red dispenses his own brand of Christmas cheer as a mall Santa.

(12:00 Noon–2:00 PM ET/PT) A CAROL CHRISTMAS
This holiday special puts a twist on the classic Dickens’ tale, with Tori Spelling cast as a conceited modern-day talk show host who is haunted by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. The film also stars William Shatner, Dinah Manoff and Gary Coleman. (Live Action)

(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) SNOW – (*See Saturday, December 11, for description)

(4:00–6:00 AM ET/PT) SNOW 2 BRAIN FREEZE – (*See Saturday, December 11, for description)

(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description)

(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO
In this Christmas classic, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet rush to get Christopher Robin’s letter to Santa before it’s too late. With many obstacles before them, they learn the true meaning of Christmas. (Animated)

(7:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) PHINEAS AND FERB CHRISTMAS VACATION
Phineas and Ferb want to show Santa how grateful they are for the work that he does every year at Christmas time by transforming the city of Danville into a giant shimmering thank you card and building a rest stop for Santa to relax in between delivering presents. However, when Dr. Doofenshmirtz develops a Naughty-inator that coats the entire Tri-state area in a cloud of naughtiness, Christmas is threatened to be cancelled, so it's up to Phineas and Ferb to convince Santa's elves that they really have been nice and save Christmas. (Animated)

(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING – (*See Wednesday, December 15, for description)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BUDDIES – ABC Family Premiere Event
Disney’s irresistible talking puppies return in an all-new heartwarming holiday adventure! Take a fantastic journey with your beloved Buddies to the magical world of the North Pole! Join Budderball, B-Dawg, Rosebud, Buddha, and Mudbud in a touching twist on a Christmas classic. When Puppy Paws, the feisty son of Santa Paws, forgets the true meaning of the season, it’s up to the Buddies to remind him that Christmas is not about what you get; it’s about what you give. Unleash a stocking full of Christmas cheer for you and your family with this fun-filled film. It’s sure to be a holiday classic for years to come! (Live Action)

(10:00 PM–12:00 Midnight ET/PT) SANTA BUDDIES – Encore Presentation


Tuesday, December 21
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BLUSTERY DAY – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description)

(7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND TIGGER TOO – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description)

(8:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA BABY – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(10:00 AM–12:00 Noon ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(12:00 Noon–2:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST – (*See Saturday, December 11, for description)

(6:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34th STREET – (*See Wednesday, December 8, for description)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS – (*See Friday, December 3, for description)


Wednesday, December 22
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) THE STORY OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SNOW
When a young shepherd named Lucas is struck by lightning and left blind, a group of nuns take him in to their abbey. Here he begins his journey back to health, drawing strength from the love of the nuns and other children. After being chosen to perform the role of the angel in the Christmas play, snow begins to fall and a small miracle is performed. Angela Lansbury narrates this Christmas classic. (Animated)

(7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LEPRECHAUNS’ CHRISTMAS GOLD
In this Christmas fairy tale, loveable leprechaun Dinty Doyle sets out to find the perfect Christmas tree for his family. After stumbling upon a mysterious island off the coast of Ireland, he takes a beautiful tree home to the land of Wee People. Little does he know the tree is actually a prison cell holding an evil banshee. With her bag of tricks, the banshee escapes from the tree and devises a plan to steal the land’s gold and ruin the Wee People’s Christmas. With the help of Lord Patrick, King of the Wee People, Dinty must stop the banshee before it’s too late. (Animated)

(8:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) UNACCOMPANIED MINORS – (*See Saturday, December 11, for description)

(10:00 AM–12:00 Noon ET/PT) JACK FROST – (*See Saturday, December 11, for description)

(12:00 Noon–2:00 PM ET/PT) RICHIE RICH’S CHRISTMAS WISH – (*See Sunday, December 19, for description)

(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS – (*See Sunday, December 19, for description)

(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) ICE AGE
When a group of prehistoric animals band together to save a human baby, the misfit herd becomes the only hope for the future in this delightful computer-animated treat. The movie features the hilarious character voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Jack Black. (Animated)

(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BUDDIES – (*See Monday, December 20, for description)

(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description)

(10:00 PM–12:00 Midnight ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE – (*See Saturday, December 11, for description)


Thursday, December 23
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO - (*See Monday, December 20, for description)

(7:30–9:30 AM ET/PT) ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(9:30–11:30 AM ET/PT) TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(11:30 AM–1:30 PM ET/PT) ICE AGE – (*See Wednesday, December 22, for description)

(1:30–4:00 PM ET/PT) HAPPY FEET – (*See Saturday, December 18, for description)

(4:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS – (*See Friday, December 3, for description)

(6:30–8:30 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description)

(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)


Friday, December 24
(7:00–8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS
This delightful holiday special tells the story of how Santa Claus was once a mortal who, in his desire to alleviate endless examples of inhumanity to men, began giving gifts to children on Christmas day. His selflessness earned him a reputation as a saint and he was rewarded with immortality so he could continue doing his work, and in the process, fulfilling the Christmas wishes of boys and girls around the world. Based on the story by Wizard of Oz creator Frank L. Baum and filmed using animagic (stop-motion animated puppetry). (Animated)

(8:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY – (*See Saturday, December 18, for description.)

(8:30–9:00 AM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY – (*See Saturday, December 18, for description.)

(9:00–9:30 AM ET/PT) CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(11:00 AM-12:00 Noon ET/PT) A FLINTSTONE CHRISTMAS – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description.)

(12:00 Noon–1:00 PM ET/PT) PINOCCHIO’S CHRISTMAS – (*See Saturday, December 18, for description.)

(1:00-1:30 PM ET/PT) ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(1:30–3:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH & FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY – (*See Saturday, December 18, for description.)

(3:30 - 5:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS (*See Monday, December 6, for description)

(5:00–5:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(5:30–6:00 AM ET/PT) WINNIE THE POOH AND CHRISTMAS TOO – (*See Monday, December 20, for description)

(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST – (*See Monday, December 6, for description.)

(7:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – (*See Sunday, December 12, for description)

(8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

Saturday, December 25
(7:00–8:00 AM ET/PT) A FLINTSTONE CHRISTMAS – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description.)

(8:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(9:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS – (*See Thursday, December 9, for description.)

(10:00 AM–12:30 PM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34th STREET – (*See Wednesday, December 8, for description)

(12:30–2:30 PM ET/PT) SANTA BUDDIES – (*See Monday, December 20, for description)

(2:30–4:30 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE – (*See Thursday, December 2, for description.)

(4:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK – (*See Tuesday, December 7, for description.)

(7:00–9:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – (*See Wednesday, December 1, for description.)

(9:30 PM–12:00 Midnight ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – Encore Presentation