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ABC FAMILY AIRS OVER 150 HOURS OF HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING DURING EIGHTH ANNUAL �25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS� EVENT
Event Features Premiere of Two New Original Movies � �CHASING CHRISTMAS� Starring Tom Arnold and �CHRISTMAS IN BOSTON� Starring Marla Sokoloff
Includes US Premiere of the Stop-Motion Animated Special
�A VERY BARRY CHRISTMAS� Voiced by Colin Mochrie
Burbank, CA (November 01, 2005) � �It�s the most wonderful time of the year� for ABC Family�s eighth annual 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS programming event. This year features over 150 hours of holiday-themed entertainment for the whole family from December 1- 25.
The holiday fun will feature the premiere of two original movies starting with CHASING CHRISTMAS, Sunday, December 4 (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT), starring Tom Arnold (�True Lies�) in a deconstructionist version of the classic Dickens "A Christmas Carol.� Ever since his wife left him for her dentist on Christmas Eve, Jack (Arnold) has boycotted the holidays. Now his relationship is at risk with his sixteen-year-old daughter and the spirits of Christmas Past (Leslie Jordan), Present (Andrea Roth) and Future step in to change his perspective on the holiday and rescue Jack from his terminal bah humbugs.
The holiday cheer continues with the premiere of CHRISTMAS IN BOSTON, Wednesday, December 14 (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT) starring Marla Sokoloff (�The Practice�). Childhood pen-pals Gina (Sokoloff) and Seth (Patrick Adams) have created a life long friendship based solely on letters and snapshots they�ve sent to one another. Now as adults, they finally get the chance to meet in person but both are extremely nervous about living up to one another�s expectations � especially since Gina and Seth sent pictures of their best friends Ellen and Matt, instead of pictures of themselves! Afraid to face the truth, each sends their best friend to pose as them. But when Ellen and Matt start falling for each another, Gina and Seth discover much more than they ever expected.
In addition, ABC Family will air the U.S. premiere of the stop-motion animated special A VERY BARRY CHRISTMAS, Saturday, December 3 (9:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT) which features the voice of Colin Mochrie (�Whose Line Is It Anyway?�). This hilarious tale of misadventure follows Barry Buckley who has the best intentions, but the worst luck. When his latest scheme causes a chance meeting with Santa, the two unwittingly trade lives in a Christmas mix-up of epic proportions!
25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS day-by-day programming highlights also include:
Thursday, December 1
Holiday Classics Marathon (7:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
ABC Family starts of the season with back-to-back airings of holiday favorites to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Marathon includes �Frosty's Winter Wonderland,� �Twas the Night before Christmas,� �The Year Without A Santa Claus,� and �Rudolph's Shiny New Year.� (Rankin Bass)
Friday, December 2
Holiday Classics (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
Day two starts off with back to back airings of the animated holiday classics �Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey� and �The Story of the First Christmas Snow.� (Rankin Bass)
Movie (8:00 � 10:30 PM ET/PT)
HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK
Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) finds himself once again alone, this time in the Big Apple at Christmastime. The wet bandits (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) have escaped from jail but after a few more rounds with Kevin, they probably would have been safer behind bars. (Live- Action)
Saturday, December 3
Holiday Classics Marathon (2:00 � 9:00 PM ET/PT)
The spirit of Christmas continues with a marathon of holiday favorites including �The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus,� �The Story of the First Christmas Snow,� �Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey,� �Pinocchio's Christmas,� �Jack Frost,� �Frosty's Winter Wonderland,� �Twas The Night Before Christmas,� �Rudolph's Shiny New Year,� and �Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town.� (Rankin Bass)
Special (9:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
A VERY BARRY CHRISTMAS � US TELEVISION DEBUT
ABC Family continues the night with the U.S. Television debut of A VERY BARRY CHRISTMAS. Featuring stop-motion animation, this hilarious tale of misadventure spans the earth, from the white expanse of the North Pole to the red-hot desert of the Australian Outback. Barry Buckley has the best intentions, but the worst luck. When his latest scheme causes a chance meeting with Santa, the two unwittingly trade lives in a Christmas mix-up of epic proportions! Features the voice of Colin Mochrie ("Whose Line Is It Anyway?").
Holiday Classics (10:00 PM� 12:00 AM ET/PT)
ABC Family presents even more classics with the back-to-back airings of �A Year Without Santa Claus,� �The Little Drummer Boy,� and �The Little Drummer Boy: Book II.� (Rankin Bass)
Sunday, December 4
Movie (2:00 � 4:00 PM ET/PT)
THE CHRISTMAS LIST
No one ever believes they'll get EVERYTHING on their Christmas list. So imagine the shock and confusion a single, 40-year-old department store clerk experiences when she receives everything on her extravagant list! As she struggles to survive the ensuing chaos, she discovers the true meaning of the holiday. Stars Mimi Rogers, Marla Maples and Stella Stevens. (Live-Action)
Movie (4:00 � 6:00 pm ET/PT)
THREE DAYS
When a neglectful husband (Reed Diamond) loses his wife (Kristen Davis) in a Christmas Eve accident, an angel gives him a miracle�with a catch. He can relive their last three days together, but he cannot change her destiny. Now he strives to find the perfect gift, praying that � just maybe � love will be stronger than fate. (Live-Action)
Movie (6:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
SNOW
In a reinvention of the Santa Claus myth, Nick (Tom Cavanagh) reluctantly takes over the family business. As if that wasn�t pressure enough, with only three days before the big night, one of Nick�s young reindeer 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. As only a true innocent can do, Nick tries to bring back the spirit of Christmas they lost long ago. (Live-Action)
Original Movie Premiere (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT, Encore airing at 10:00 PM � 12:00 AM ET/PT)
CHASING CHRISTMAS
In this deconstructionist version of the classic Dickens "A Christmas Carol," forty-something single father Jack (Tom Arnold), is visited by his old business partner and the ghosts of Christmas Past (Leslie Jordan), Present (Andrea Roth) and Future to change his perspective on the holiday. Ever since his wife left him for her dentist on Christmas Eve, Jack has boycotted the holidays. Now his relationship is at risk with his sixteen-year-old daughter and the spirits step in to rescue Jack from his terminal bah humbugs. (Live- Action)
Monday, December 5
Holiday Classic (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
JACK FROST
The Groundhog tells the story of how, for once, Jack Frost became human, and helped a knight win his lady love. (Rankin Bass)
Movie
JACK FROST (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
Jack Frost (Michael Keaton) was always too busy traveling on the road to spend time with his son Charlie. But when he dies in a car accident, Jack finds himself back to life in the form of a Snowman! Now he can do all the things they've missed when Jack was human, but what will people think when they see Charlie talking to a snowman and what will happen when the weather gets warmer? (Live Action)
Tuesday, December 6
Holiday Classics (7:00� 8:00 PM ET/PT)
ABC Family starts off the night with back-to-back airings of the classic favorites �Frosty�s Winter Wonderland� and �Twas the Night Before Christmas.� (Rankin Bass)
Original Movie Encore Airing (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
CHASING CHRISTMAS
Wednesday, December 7
Holiday Classics (7:00� 9:00 PM ET/PT)
ABC Family starts off the night with back-to-back airings of the classic favorites �A Year Without Santa Claus,� and �Santa Claus is Comin� To Town.� (Rankin Bass)
Movie (9:00 � 10:30 PM ET/PT)
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS
When the Evil Toy Taker takes all of Santa's toys, it's up to Rudolph and his friends Hermey, Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable Snowman �Bumbles� to stop him and bring Christmas to the children of the world. (Animated) - featuring the voices of Rick Moranis, Jamie Lee Curtis and Richard Dreyfuss.
Thursday, December 8
Series Mini-Marathon (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
FULL HOUSE
Christmas themed-episodes.
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS
Justin, (played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse) snaps a picture of his mom kissing Santa and decides to wage war against him. (Live-Action)
Friday, December 9
Holiday Classics (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
ABC Family presents even more classics with the back-to-back airings of �The Little Drummer Boy,� �The Little Drummer Boy: Book II.� (Rankin Bass)
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
PRANCER
Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harell) lives on a failing farm with her father (Sam Elliot) when she finds an injured reindeer. She decides to nurse it back to health, with the belief that the reindeer is actually Santa�s Prancer. (Live-Action)
Saturday, December 10
Movie (2:00 � 4:30 PM ET/PT)
HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK
Movie (4:30 � 8:00 PM ET/PT, Encore airing at 8:00 PM � 12:00 AM ET/PT))
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER�S STONE
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER�S STONE tells the story of a boy who is brought up by the Dursley�s, his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and cousin, who treat him more like vermin than like a member of the family. On his eleventh birthday, Harry Potter receives a mysterious letter from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, telling him he has been chosen as one of the future students of that renowned school. Harry also learns he is the orphaned son of a powerful wizard and witch and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Happy to leave the Dursley�s behind, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime and finds the home and the family he never had. (Live- Action)
Sunday, December 11
Movie (1:00 � 3:00 PM ET/PT)
RICHIE RICH�S CHRISTMAS WISH
After getting blamed for spoiling Christmas, the richest kid in the world wishes he'd never been born. Unfortunately, a wishing machine, invented by Dr. Keenbean (Eugene Levy), picked up the wish and made it come true. Now Richie (David Gallagher) finds himself in a parallel world where his only hope is to find professor Keenbean and the wishing machine so he can wish things back to normal. (Live-Action)
Movie (3:00 � 7:00 PM ET/PT, Encore airing at 7:00 � 11:00 PM ET/PT)
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
. In his second term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is warned by an elf named Dobby that disaster will strike when he returns to Hogwarts. Besides the fact that he is still disliked by Professor Snape and hated by Draco Malfoy, Harry gets off to a great start with his two best friends, Ron Weasly (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and famous writer Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh) has joined the Hogwarts staff and is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. But now, Hogwarts students are strangely being petrified. When everyone suspects Harry, the trio sets out to find the culprit and end up finding more than they bargained for. (Live-Action)
Monday, December 12
Holiday Classic (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
PINNOCCHIO�S CHRISTMAS
Pinocchio becomes part of a Christmas Marionette show to make money to buy a present for Geppetto. But when he ends up in the Forest of Enchantment, only Santa's reindeer can get Pinocchio home in time for Christmas. (Rankin Bass)
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
The world is astounded when Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) announces that five lucky people will be given a tour of the factory and shown all the secrets of his amazing candy. Inn a twist of fate, poor Charlie Bucket finds the last golden ticket and he gets the chance of a lifetime to tour of the factory. (Live-Action)
Episode Premiere (10:00 � 10:30 PM ET/PT)
WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?
Catch an all new Christmas themed episode of the sketch comedy improve show.
Tuesday, December 13
Holiday Classics Marathon (7:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
ABC Family presents even more classics with the back-to-back airings of �Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey,� �The Leprechaun�s Christmas Gold,� �Santa Claus is Coming to Town,� and �The Year Without a Santa Claus.� (Rankin Bass)
Wednesday, December 14
Holiday Classic (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
RUDOLPH�S SHINY NEW YEAR
Father Time sends Santa a message telling him that the baby new year, Happy, is missing! And without the baby new year, it'll remain the old year forever. But it's foggy and snowing, so Rudolph's the only reindeer for the job. Rudolph learns that Eon is also searching for Happy, so that eon�s life will never end. With the help of 1 Million B.C. and Sir 1023, and 1776, Rudolph searches through the islands of the Archipelago of Last Year and races against eon to ensure a Happy New Year. (Rankin Bass)
Wednesday, December 14 (continued)
Original Movie Premiere (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
CHRISTMAS IN BOSTON
Pen-pals Gina (Marla Sokoloff) and Seth have created a life long friendship based solely on letters they have written to one another and snapshots they�ve sent. Now as adults, they finally get the chance to meet in person. Both are extremely nervous about living up to one another�s expectations � especially since Gina and Seth sent pictures of their best friends Ellen and Matt, instead of pictures of themselves! Afraid to face the truth, each sends their best friend to pose as them. But when Ellen and Matt start falling for each another, Gina and Seth discover much more than they ever expected. (Live-Action)
Thursday, December 15
Holiday Classic (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
THE YEAR WITHOUT CHRISTMAS
Mrs. Claus tells the story of the time Santa had a bad cold and decided to take a vacation from Christmas. Two of his elves, Jingle Bells and Jangle Bells decided to find some children to convince Santa that the Christmas spirit is still important to everybody else. But they have to get past Heat Miser and Snow Miser first. (Rankin Bass)
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
SNOW
Friday, December 16
Series Mini-Marathon (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
FULL HOUSE
Christmas themed-episodes.
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
Harried mattress salesman Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is late for his son Jamie's karate class. To placate his unhappy son, he asks him if there is anything he wants for Christmas. He wants Turbo Man. Howard naturally forgets to get it, and being Christmas Eve no stores have it in stock. So Howard embarks on a comical quest to find one.
Saturday, December 17
Movie (2:00 � 4:00 PM ET/PT)
PRANCER
Movie (4:00 � 6:00 PM ET/PT)
MR. ST. NICK
Executive produced by the legendary Robert Halmi (�Dinotopia,� �Gulliver's Travels�) and starring Kelsey Grammer and Charles Durning, this heartwarming holiday tale tells the story of Santa's passing of the Christmas torch to his prodigal son � who is not quite ready for the duty. (Live-Action)
Movie (6:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
THREE DAYS
Original Movie Encore Airings (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT & 10:00 PM � 12:00 AM ET/PT))
CHRISTMAS IN BOSTON
Sunday, December 18
Movie (1:30 � 3:30 PM ET/PT)
TO GRANDMOTHER�S HOUSE WE GO
Julie and Sarah (Ashley & Mary-Kate Olsen) are heading for Grandma's house, even though they don't have her address--or even permission to cross the street without a grown-up!
Movie (3:30 � 5:30 PM ET/PT)
RUDOLPH AND FROSTY�S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Long, long ago, the North Pole was ruled by the good fairy Lady Boreal and her enemy was the wicked wizard Winterbolt. To protect Santa Claus from Winterbolt's foggy fury, Lady Boreal grants Rudolph a magical, glowing nose. Years later, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman are called on to save a needy circus at a special 4th of July benefit. But their big-top act turns to big-time trouble when Winterbolt appears -- with a plan to steal Frosty's magic hat and extinguish Rudolph's legendary nose! Voiced by Mickey Rooney, Ethel Merman, Red Buttons and Shelley Winters. (Rankin Bass)
Movie (5:30 � 8:00 PM ET/PT, Encore airing at 8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
In this adaptation of the famous Christmas tale by Dr. Seuss, director Ron Howard casts comedian Jim Carrey in the title role, giving this rendition of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS a perverse, manic spin when a freakish green monster living in a mountainside cave disguises himself as Santa Claus, and steals the Christmas goodies from every single home in Whoville. (Live-Action)
Monday, December 19
Holiday Classic (7:00 � 8:00 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. (Rankin Bass)
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK
Tuesday, December 20
Special (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
A VERY BARRY CHRISTMAS � Encore Airing
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
ELOISE AT CHRISTMASTIME
Its Christmas time and the season promises to be even more special as the Plaza hotel prepares for a romantic Christmas Eve wedding! Although Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) is warned not to interfere, Eloise plays matchmaker to ensure that true love will save the day. Based on the bestselling children�s books written by the late Kay Thompson. Julie Andrews reprises roll of Nanny. (Live-Action)
Wednesday, December 21
Holiday Classic (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
JACK FROST
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS
Almost 20 years after the start of the original "Brady Bunch", the kids are grown up and have kids of their own. Everyone is having a wonderful time back at the family house for Christmas, until Mike learns of a structural problem in one of the buildings he designed. As he is inspecting the problem, the building collapses, trapping him inside. Will Mike Brady be okay? (Live Action)
Thursday, December 22
Holiday Classic (7:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
RUDOLPH�S SHINY NEW YEAR
Father Time sends Santa a message telling him that the baby new year, Happy, is missing! And without the baby new year, it'll remain the old year forever. But it's foggy and snowing, so Rudolph's the only reindeer for the job. Rudolph learns that Eon is also searching for Happy, so that eon�s life will never end. With the help of 1 Million B.C. and Sir 1023, and 1776, Rudolph searches through the islands of the Archipelago of Last Year and races against eon to ensure a Happy New Year. (Rankin Bass)
Movie (8:00 � 10:30 PM ET/PT)
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 23
Movie (7:00 � 8:30 PM ET/PT)
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AND THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS
Movie (8:30 � 10:30 PM ET/PT)
WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Saturday, December 24
Series Mini-Marathon (12:00 � 2:00 PM ET/PT)
FULL HOUSE
Christmas themed-episodes.
Movie (2:00 � 4:00 PM ET/PT)
A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS
Movie (4:00 � 6:00 PM ET/PT)
WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Holiday Classics Marathon (Rankin Bass 6:00 � 11:00 PM ET/PT)
JACK FROST 6:00 � 7:00 PM ET/PT
FROSTY�S WINTER WONDERLAND 7:00 � 7:30 PM ET/PT
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 7:30 � 8:00 PM ET/PT
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN 8:00 � 9:00 PM ET/PT
THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS 9:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT
RUDOLPH�S SHINY NEW YEAR 10:00 � 11:00 PM ET/PT
Sunday, December 25
Movie (12:00 � 2:00 PM ET/PT)
A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS
Movie (2:00 � 4:00 PM ET/PT)
A MOM FOR CHRISTMAS
Jessie�s mom died when she was just three so when she wins a free wish in a department store, she wishes for a mom. Her wish brings Amy, a mannequin, to life and into her life as her Mom for Christmas.
Movie (4:00 � 6:00 PM ET/PT)
MR. ST. NICK
Movie (6:00 � 8:00 PM ET/PT)
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET
In this magical story, a college professor (Richard Thomas) sets out to prove that reindeer can fly and along the way discovers the true meaning of faith, family and Christmas. He ends up at Santa's (Beau Bridges) workshop and becomes involved in a number of delightful situations. (Live-Action)
Movie (8:00 � 10:00 PM ET/PT)
BORROWED HEARTS
When businessman Sam (Eric McCormack) decides to move his company to Mexico for an improvement in profits he must impress the buyer with not only the price, but with his image as a family man. The problem is he's a swinging bachelor. Sam decides to hire Kathleen (Roma Downey) and her daughter to pose as his family to push the deal through. A Christmas angel in disguise is present to soften Sam�s uncaring heart. (Live-Action)
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